Shipping vintage furs in from overseas, is it possible?

misswendyjo

misswendyjo

Registered Guest
Hi all,

This may sound like a silly question however I seem to be getting differeing opinions from Australia post (depending on who one talks to) so I thought I would just put it out here in the forum.

Has anyone else bought any vintage furs or garments with fur peices (e.g. collars etc) from overseas and had them successfully shipped here (to Australia)? or alternatively has anyone successfully shipped something fur related from the US to Australia?

I am costuming a play set in the 1920's and in doing so am looking at some glorious pieces from the US but I am not willing to pay the money if they can't/won't get through customs.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Misswendyjo
 
I have shipped furs to Australia from Canada without any problems. The last one was a while ago though; so hopefully someone here has had more recent experience.
 
here is the actual prohibitions list that you see on the United States Postal Service website. There is no mention of fur... I also have sent fur in the past from Canada and I have not had any problems to Australia...I have shipped using Canada Post

Prohibitions (130)​

Coins; bank notes; currency notes (paper money); securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver (except for jewelry items meeting the requirement in “Restrictions” below); precious stones (except when contained in jewelry items meeting the requirement in “Restrictions” below); and other valuable articles are prohibited.​
Fruit cartons (used or new).​
Goods bearing the name “Anzac.”​
Goods produced wholly or partly in prisons or by convict labor.​
Perishable infectious biological substances.​
Radioactive materials.​
Registered philatelic articles with fictitious addresses.​
Seditious literature.​
Silencers for firearms.​
Used bedding.​
Restrictions ​
Jewelry is permitted only when sent as an insured parcel using Priority Mail International service. In addition, Australian Customs regulations prohibit importation of jewelry that is made with ivory or from endangered species, such as snake, elephant, or crocodile, that does not have an accompanying Import/Export Permit in relation to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).​
Meat and other animal products; powdered or concentrated milk; and other dairy products requires permission to import from the Australian quarantine authorities.​
Permission of the Australian Director-General of Health is required to import medicines.​
 
Thank you ladies, greatly appreciated, I think I might risk it on a small item & see what happens

Cheers

Misswendyjo
 
Hi Miss Wendyjo, you can see the list of items prohibited by Australian customs here.

Most furs are okay - although I wonder, why do you want to import fur? Australia is awash with unwanted furs. I get offered it several times a day, it breaks my heart as there is so little demand for it in our hot country. Most of it goes into landfill. If you're in Melbourne, you can try Linda Black, as they specialise in vintage fur. I also have some, depending on what you like. I find that vintage furs often have issues, as they haven't been stored well over the years, and the pelts are dry and the fur moults.

My shop is at 102 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy - if you're in Melbourne. I don't have any furs on my webshop but if you let me know what you're looking for I can bring some into the shop.
 
I guess that is part of my problem, I am in Newcastle NSW & so my choices are limited. Yes I know what you mean due to our climate we have never developed a culture of keeping furs & looking after them, most of the furs I have found locally are barely useable but are generally way over priced! I saw one today in a local 'vintage' store that had a price rage if $80 but was litteraly falling apart! So I guess I'd try something completely different, also the prices are far better, even with shipping costs.

I'm looking for a range if different styles, eg collars & cuffs to put on a flowing coat, I'd love a raccoon coat for the 'play boy' character 'Jackie' but I don't think I'll find that, a couple of stoles, one with head & feet. I do have my personal collection but I'm trying not to use that, actors can be harsh on costumes! Lol
 
Do you know Jeanette Luke? Jeanette runs the Newcastle Vintage Fair, she's been trading in vintage for a long time and has a great shop and knowledge - and her prices are reasonable. Her webshop is called "From Here to Eternity" and if you contact her, she will probably have a lot more furs than are on her webshop.

If anyone considers this link inappropriate, please let me know - Jeanette is not a VFG member but I can personally recommend her as I've bought from her in the past.

Also, if you happy to travel a bit, op shops often have lots of furs too, at very cheap prices, especially down here in Melbourne but I'm sure Sydney op shops would too, as fur was so popular in the past. As far as buying fur, I would be cautious about buying online from anyone that is not reputable/a VFG member as you need to ensure it is in good condition.
 
Hey there, thought I'd give you an update, Yep, I know "From here to eternity" & she has some lovely looking stoles online however they are out of my price range for costuming purposes. But the really funny part... I've since checked with my cast and some of them are creeped out about real furs... I've tried to convince them that they have all been dead for a REALLY long time now and there's no point getting precious about it... but to no avail! So now it looks like I'll be using fake fur which just drives me crazy! I'm a stickler for authenticity in my costuming! Well, I’m not creeped out so at least my character’s costume will be accurate! Lol

But thanks for your input guys, as always really helpful!

PS I might post some pics of my costumes once finished, if that is apporpriate? let me know.
 
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