Paint to Greece

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Caladh

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Due to not having hold luggage on my next trip to the boat, I want to send 2 tins of boot topping and a tin of varnish to Greece in a parcel but am aware of "restrictions" regarding hazardous stuff. Has anyone done this and can recommend a carrier ?
 
Most of the big carriers now do a surface service to Europe.
But beware, because most of them often send the stuff by spare air cargo capacity, they still restrict stuff like paint, flares, fire extinguishers etc.

Fed-Ex actually do a road service to Greece, I have used it, about £50 to send a headsail and a Lavac to be collected at Messalongi marina office.

But even though I have a Fed-Ex UK account, I still have to book this through these guys:

www.interparcel.com who will quote you online for all the options.

Then you could of course just buy the stuff in Greece!
 
Don't mess with Hazardous Cargo by airfreight. This is very carefully controlled and even if you were to pack your paint, so that it was not recognisable you would then need to find an airfreight agent, who would handle good from an unknown source. They have to guarantee that they know where goods come from and who packed them. The agent could give you paint to a specialist packer. They would use suitable containers to pack it in and fill in the necessary documentation. The airline would charge an excess for HAZ CARGO and fly it in a freight only aircraft.

No way could this ever be worth it for your paint. Find a friend or a general freight road transport company. Good luck.
 
Caladh said:
Due to not having hold luggage on my next trip to the boat, I want to send 2 tins of boot topping and a tin of varnish to Greece in a parcel but am aware of "restrictions" regarding hazardous stuff. Has anyone done this and can recommend a carrier ?
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Try //svb.de

I had antifouling sent to south Italy. It was quick and not very expensive.
 
Caladh said:
Due to not having hold luggage on my next trip to the boat, I want to send 2 tins of boot topping and a tin of varnish to Greece in a parcel but am aware of "restrictions" regarding hazardous stuff. Has anyone done this and can recommend a carrier ?
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These items are banned - the flammable paint would be paint with a volatile solvent - car body paints etc. Just put them in a holdall - heavy tap all round to prevent accidental opening. I have taken this type of thing every year.


Flammable Items: Gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, cooking fuel, other types of flammable liquid fuel, flammable paints, paint thinner, turpentine, aerosols (exceptions for personal care items, toiletries, or medically related items).
 
Chris_Robb said:
These items are banned - the flammable paint would be paint with a volatile solvent - car body paints etc. Just put them in a holdall - heavy tap all round to prevent accidental opening. I have taken this type of thing every year.


Flammable Items: Gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, cooking fuel, other types of flammable liquid fuel, flammable paints, paint thinner, turpentine, aerosols (exceptions for personal care items, toiletries, or medically related items).
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With respect to you. This was my business for many years. You quote the list of items that a passenger should not take aboard the airplane. The list and packing requirements for hazardous cargo are much more extensive. They fill 2 large books. Hazards are not only explosive but also corrosive, noxious, poisonous and many other headings all of which take different levels of packing.

The fact that you have got away with it for years, does not make it right. If you were to be caught there could be serious consequences. At least contact an airfreight agent and quote the UN no. This must be provided by the manufacturer on request.

A little aside. Did you know that the mercury in an aneroid barometer is extremely hazardous to aluminium airframes.
 
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Digbydog said:
With respect to you. This was my business for many years. You quote the list of items that a passenger should not take aboard the airplane. The list and packing requirements for hazardous cargo are much more extensive. They fill 2 large books. Hazards are not only explosive but also corrosive, noxious, poisonous and many other headings all of which take different levels of packing.

The fact that you have got away with it for years, does not make it right. If you were to be caught there could be serious consequences. At least contact an airfreight agent and quote the UN no. This must be provided by the manufacturer on request.

A little aside. Did you know that the mercury in an aneroid barometer is extremely hazardous to aluminium airframes.
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Looks like I will be gybing soon. Thanks for that update. For paints with non volatile solvents, is there any special packing that will make it legal?
 
Chris_Robb said:
Looks like I will be gybing soon. Thanks for that update. For paints with non volatile solvents, is there any special packing that will make it legal?
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Certainly. BUT it must be packed and certified by a licensed packer.
You start with the UN no. This determins the level of packaging. I regret that I can not remember all the details but you could google the shipment of hazardous cargo. All hazardous cargos specify the quantity. For the less hazardous there will be a very low quantity, which can be carried without special packing. If you are interested, I could certainly put you in touch with my old airfreight agent. Please PM me if you need further info.
 
I have to say I've never been there but I never thought of Greece as a country where you wouldn't be able to buy paint or varnish. My Greek workmate never stopped telling me how it was the cradle of western civilization!
 
Greek Paint

What utter total bilge you guys write, paint here in Greece is one of the few things that can compete with the rest of Europe, imported Italian anti foul is better price wise and quality wise than any thing available in the UK.......so why go to all of the trouble of hauling the stuff across Europe
 
lefkasman said:
What utter total bilge you guys write, paint here in Greece is one of the few things that can compete with the rest of Europe, imported Italian anti foul is better price wise and quality wise than any thing available in the UK.......so why go to all of the trouble of hauling the stuff across Europe
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That is interesting, what is the price you would pay in Lefkas for a 5 litre tin of self eroding anti-foul
 
The OP wanted boot topping and varnish, I have to agree with Lefkasman regarding paints, varnish etc, it is just as cheap if not cheaper here! Don't know antifoul price as I get hard racing free. All the fancy Boat paints, and household types weathershield you name it are available.
 
Buy the stuff called Navicote, at €45 for 2.5 ltrs. Did well for me last year. I think its a local Greek made stuff and its fine.
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If you can get hold of the Brown stuff the locals use on their fishing boats, it lasts for 2/3 years, probably banned because of what it contains!;)
 
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