Can you take items to be repaired to Paris and have them sent home?

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Suzie

Suzie

O.G.
Nov 12, 2006
14,574
3,284
#1
Sorry, if this is a silly question but I was wondering whether the following was possible or if any ladies or gents has had this done.

I am travelling to Paris/Italy in June/July and I was wondering can you take a bag to be repaired to Paris and would they send it home to where you live?

I live in Australia and I have heard that anything you want done or made can take 6 months. I have a vintage croc that requires a refurb and a few stitches on the handle and I also have a Kelly that needs a strap. Is it possible to take these items to Paris to have done and they would do this and send them back to Australia?

So this would this speed up the process and is it possible?
 
#2
I have an answer--sort of! Call FSH and ask about their current policies.

I used to take my bags to FSH for repairs and refurbishing projects, and the store would send them back to me upon completion..However, this was not without real problems, and later FSH changed the policies.

When shipping the bags back, the store insured them for the full retail value. Even though I was only paying for a repair, it resulted in a US Customs charge for the value of a new bag! Through a laborious process I was able to get the charges reversed, after providing proof that it was not a new purchase.

For some years after that I would ask the store if they could ship to the US and they said no--there were too many problems like the one I had, and they changed policies.

Now I have a bag there and the repairs are finished, but I will be picking up the bag in person on my next trip.

I do not know if they have changed any policies yet again, or if the changes just applied to the US. I think that no matter what anyone tells you on this thread, you should be aware that policies have changed and could change yet again!

So--I think the only safe route is to speak with the store directly before you leave. I hope this helps!
 
#4
It still might be worth a call--really the only way to know for sure. You might even ask if you could "get in line" now and have something done quickly before you leave Paris.

Ok, that idea is probably wishful thinking....!
 
#5
Suzie, perigord is right. If you take your bag to FSH and get it fixed there, on the way back, you will get hit with the import tax. UNLESS - you actually prepare an export declaration containing details of the bag, so on the way back, there is proof to custom that the bag originated from Australia. Sorry Suzie, I don't know the exact details of preparing an export declaration so I can't really give you any more information that this, but this is what I read elsewhere, regarding sending watches back to the manufacturer to be serviced - which is a very similar scenario. You'll also need to be aware because your bag is exotic but vintage, custom might need documentation similar to Cites certificate if you send it overseas and have it sent back.
 
#8
Suzie,

Definitely call the store and find out what their current policy is.

DO mention one if the bag isa croc bag, so they will let you know what to do about the Cites.

I would suggest that you contact your local customs agency and your local Cites buro as well to find out what the requirements are for the return of your bag.

That way you will be able to manage the whole thing and make sure nothing is missing for your bag to safely get back to you.
 
#9
Can't you send the bag to Paris H through one of your Aussie Hermes shops? Then perhaps because they do the shipping, they skirt around the customs issues because it stays in within the company right?
 
#10
^^^ If your bag needs repairs, I think it is best to do so through your local boutique. If they deem it necessary to send it to Paris, they would be able to prepare the documentation, rather than you doing it yourself. Customs would be a huge hassle, especially if there is Cites certification involved.
 
#11
Thanks everyone. I do have a CITES for the bag, it's just that they say it is 6 months to have anything done (sent from here, repaired and sent home). I just thought it might speed up the process.
 
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