🌍 SAND & EARTH SWAP #3!

Customs regulations are very strict in most countries. As sand and earth contain insects and insect eggs, they may confiscate these items. Please use caution and treat the sand or earth to kill any insects. You wouldn’t want to be responsible for destroying crops or trees in another country.

I agree with @thebragal actually. We aren’t even allowed to bring fruit across certain states in the US, I can’t imagine it’s kosher to bring minerals from other countries. Customs only checks about 10% of all packaging and they’re looking for drugs usually (hello fentanyl imports, yuck), so maybe this should be a regional swap instead? I agree that bringing in foreign microbes unintentionally still has the same dire consequences.

I've just looked at the UK Royal Mail website and from what I can see, you're not allowed to send soil internationally other than soil samples for scientific analysis packaged in a particular way. Again, maybe this should be a regional swap?

Greetings! I don't want to get into a debate over the rights & wrongs of this swap, but I have found some information which may have a bearing on the matter.

Apparently, according to US Postal Service Regulations, it is unlawful to send Postcards that contain obscene images or language. But I've read in the profiles of some members that THEY have no problem with this. Occasionally swaps are hosted especially to send this type of item.

In principle, we could apply this also to the SAND & EARTH SWAP.

MY POINT IS: If we are personally concerned about a swap, simply DO NOT SIGN UP FOR IT, instead of forcing our opinion on others who are happy to participate.

If we are not happy to do that, then refer the matter to ADMINISTRATION. It is their responsibility! It is not up to any member to take the law into their own hands!

I hope this helps.

If you are interested in where the information regarding Obscenities , it can be found; https://cranberrymorpheme.wordpress.com/2016/01/19/can-i-mail-an-obscene-postcard/

Happy swapping :-)

As I've stated before re: customs- The amount of sand/earth required to send is very small. It can easily be flattened out to paper thin and placed inside of a note card. I have never had an issue.

I am not forcing anyone to do anything illegal. Per usps.com the PROHIBITED INTERNATIONAL items are as follows: *Aerosols *Airbags *Alcoholic Beverages *Ammunition *Cigarettes *Dry Ice *Explosives *Fresh Fruit & Vegetable * Gasoline *Marijuana (medical or otherwise) *Nail Polish *Perfume and *Poison.

If your particular country does not allow you to send it, please, do not sign up.

Thank You.

I have traded sand worldwide for many years and never had a problem. I always tell my mail person that it is sand that I am sending. They have never said anything one way or the other. Microwaving it will kill anything that is in it. Hope this helps.