Postage of perfume

[SeaWitchly]

Hello everyone,

You may already know this information about posting perfume but I didn't and now I am really worried

Went to the PO today to post the next batch of ebay parcels. For the first time the chap behind the counter asked me was I posting any perfume [normally he just asks the value of the item]. I said no, but that I had posted two bottles yesterday [2nd class signed for].
The chap tells me that all packages go through a scanner and that if the package doesn't have a specific label stating there is perfume in there then it will be destroyed. He acknowledged he was partly at fault [ as apparently the parcel can be tracked to his PO and he did not ask me about contents and did not attach a label].

I genuinely did not know that UK postage had these rules [I should have checked the RM website I know] whereas I had been aware that there was this regulation for international postage. In fact the OP guy gave me a leaflet explaining the regulations and it said on it 'international postage', I queried this and he said yes, but it is now UK postage as well.
I am gutted as I had sent a rather expensive bottle of perfume and also a less expensive one and if I had just known to attach the bloody label it would have been okay.
Thought I would let you all know in case someone else didn't realise this was regulation [not just silly me].

I have had perfume through the post from eBay and I do not recall there being a special label. There is a good chance the package will just go through so try not to worry too much. You will know for next time. Was the perfume expensive?

Thank you Popcorn, that is good to know.

Yes, one of the bottles was a nearly full Jo Malone which sold for a considerable sum as it is a perfume which is now discontinued.
Otherwise there was a Guerlain perfume and some smaller Diptyque ones as well. Around £120 worth in total

Apart from the label, all the other requirements for postage were met - in their original box, less than 150 mls, bubble wrapped...
So it galling to think that, just for the lack of a tick box on a sticky label stating that the item is a perfume, RM may destroy my parcels!

would standard second class postage be adequate cover for a £120 item? I thought it only covered up to £20.

but how would they know what was inside? They don't go round randomly opening parcels to check up and then destroy the contents.

I sent perfume RM with the special label on and it never arrived (sent signed for so RM said they are paying me compensation and cost) but it has taken over 6 weeks for them to sort it out and I have not had anything from them yet. I have sent perfume with myhermes before and absolutely no problems whatsoever. Try courier next time and pay the bit extra for insurance if worth a lot, obviously pack really well too.
Hope your parcels arrive safe.

There were 5 packages, all up worth £120 - not individually worth £120.
Second Class Signed For insures the item up to £50 value. This was somewhat less than perfume sold for but I thought I would be happy to get £50 refunded if parcel was lost in transit.

Gatekeeper apparently they scan the parcels.... I don't know if they scan every single one or just randomly.

Yup I use Hermes too - RM signed for is so often delivered with no signature and then the buyer can claim not received. Hermes you don't have that issue .

what.... scan as in x ray type scan??? bloody hell

I can't see them scanning all the parcels delivered in the UK, could be wrong though.
A while back now, I sent some perfume internationally and it got confiscated, RM sent the rest of the parcel back to me though.
Hope you're able to up date us with good news!

Buttered Yes, perhaps they just scan suspicious parcels, for example those that are obviously a bottle of perfume / the bottle is not in a box.

Anyway fingers crossed and I will update you all on the outcome...

HeavenlyEyes - Hermes definitely don't allow you to ship perfume - it's specifically on their banned items list, and you wouldn't get any insurance paid out if it were lost/damaged. They might also destroy it if they discovered what it was.

However, you can ship perfume via Royal Mail, but (as OP has discovered) you need to ask for a special label when you buy postage. I can't remember what it's called, but it has a black diamond on it. The label has a "chip" so the parcel can be identified as containing a hazardous liquid, but they will deliver it no problem. The perfume must always be in "original packaging".

Cointreau do you know if RM scan every parcel... Is there a chance these perfumes may have gotten to their destinations [I am too scared to check whether they have been signed for, no feedback yet from ebay buyers... ]

I don't know if they scan everything, but I wouldn't be surprised if they get through OK. But you know for next time - stick a label on it!

Thanks Cointreau... I definitely know to stick the label on next time!

Update - received positive feedback this evening from one of the perfume buyers... So one of them made it through the scanners sniffer dogs cavity search

Fingers crossed for the others!

I didn't realise they were scanned. I have posted two lots of perfume at different times this month. Both were packaged as per Royal Mail regulations and I declared both as perfume at the counter. The first one got a label because I asked about it. I realised after I left the counter the second time that the other parcel hadn't, but the perfume was delivered OK. Phew! Next time I'll remind the cashier about the label. Thanks!