[GB ended, news update only] Last batch of 219B sw45k R9080 and sw40 R9080

We use pretty good quality and safe li-ions these days but another advantage of LiFePo batteries is that the chemistry is safer than Li-ion.

True. When I was just starting to move from NiMH to LiIon as my primary lights I did worry about that, and the batteries weren’t as good then either. I think using LiFePO4 cells in a D4 or similar would be safer for a “muggle” using the light, and could take away some of the worries they might otherwise have, and regarding the heat issue as well. It would probably also drive less current through the light should the battery be reversed.

With my 219B D4 mod, not wanting to inadvertently damage the glorious LEDs I might somehow mark the light “LiFePO4” or something like that.

I received my order a while ago. I forgot to post about it till now. Love the extra effort made with the custom wood box. I already installed a triple sw40 in a wuben to46r. It now one of my go-to lights. Thanks Clemence for your top notch service.

I agree, new sw40 is about 4100K and is like an e21 sm403 at 2.5 A. Absolutely best for outdoor

UPDATE 180902:
As announced via my webstore, I’m not in the workshop from 18(0825-0910), and all orders between those dates will be processed later in when I get back to Bali.

So far, almost all orders to Germany have been refused by the German Customs and returned to my workshop address. Those includes The_Driver, Lexel, and Schoki orders. I filled all the required declaration documents required and marked all the packets as “commercial items”. The items declared as: “LED” and/or “MCPCB”. The original invoice also included inside. I don’t know what is going on with German Customs lately. Previous orders were successfully delivered.

The options are:

- Try again with additional USD 5 shipping cost (all those orders were using economy shipping)

- As above but the orders combined and shipped to one address, shipped via EMS.

  • Full refund minus the shipping cost.

To those Germany buyer affected, please help me to check what’s required to make it pass through the customs.

- Clemence

this may apply, the poster claims to be in the middle of Europe, I do not know where this person is, it could be Germany. I sent him a message with a link to this post, and hopefully we will soon know if he is in Germany.

This map shows in red points some of the locations of claimants to the title of Centre of Europe:
Ukraine, Slovakia, Germany, Poland, or Lithuania

please put the invoice in the outer USPS envelope not the inner bubble pack envelope. When customs opened the outer USPS envelop, they did not found the invoice. Therfore I was at customs on Friday. If the invoice would have been in the USPS envelop I would be able to pick the goods up at the postoffice. ”

Thanks for the tip Jon :slight_smile: . This could be it. Any more suggestions?

- Clemence

Where the packages opened? Maybe the wodden box.

Additional provisions for the Asian longhorned beetle

Zusätzliche Bestimmungen für den Asiatischen Laubholzbockkäfer

from here:
https://www.wald-und-holz.nrw.de/ueber-uns/holzwirtschaft/import-und-export-von-holz/holzimporte-in-die-eu-und-in-die-bundesrepublik-deutschland/

I don’t know if the website is up to date, but it’s at least a hint.

You are on a tropical island, so customs officer thinks it’s tropical wood?

Schoki’s and Lexel’s orders don’t use wooden box, only my usual PVC protector. This rules longhorned beetle provisions off the cause.

- Clemence

I think I’ve told you about my issues with German customs before. Every package I send to Germany is delayed by them no matter what I do. I fill out the customs form online with the correct tariff codes and pack everything with commercial invoices in the mailing pouch and inside the box, then I get frantic calls from UPS because customs officers have rejected the paperwork, or the customer gets a call from the customs office claiming there is no commercial invoice. I gave up sending packages EMS because they’re held up in customs longer than air mail. I ship all over the world on a regular basis, and Germany is the only destination where I’ve had any significant issues with customs. I basically count on every single package to Germany being held up one way or another and make arrangements in advance with customers who need products sent by express courier.

http://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Postal_consignments_internet_order/Shipments-to-Germany/Procedures/procedures_node.html

You probably need a detailed description of the goods and their value (for German customs). Either an invoice or the “cn22” on the outside of the parcel should be okay.

Okay then :weary:

I have also sent several flashlights from California to a friend in Germany. They are always delayed in customs, but I have never had one returned and he always gets his lights, after some delay.

Yes, they hold every package worth 22€ or more (because one needs to pay 19% tax). They are slow though, that is the real problem.

OK, I will resend all those packets once I’m back to Bali in 180910. And will post detailed pictures of them here before I send them to the post office. Anyone want a refund please claim it before 180907.

- Clemence

OK, I’m about to repack all those German orders (Schoki, Lexel, and The_driver). Below are the information stuck on the returned packets:

The_Driver’s (small wooden box) and Lexel’s (normal PVC protector) packet got this sticker:

Only Schoki’s (normal PVC protector) packet got this sticker:

I will post all packets before I go to the post office tomorrow.

- Clemence

Hope all goes smoothly

just saw this post, to reinforce your strategy

[QUOTE=WarriorOfLight;5241490][Quote=KaIIe]
BTW, my gitd reflector arrived just at my door and I was able to pay the customs directly to the postman, quite a pleasant surprise not have to drive to the customs to the next city. Is it because Henry/Dan put the bill on the outside package? Anyway, thanks a lot!
[/QUOTE]

Yes, I think this is the reason. When I got my HDS 219B 4500K 9080 the light in the plastic packing was packed with the invoice in a Brown bubble pack envelope that was closed. This bubble pack envelope was in a USPS Flatrate envelope. Customs opened the USPS Flatrate envelope (It was taped with the green “opened by customs” tape), but the Brown bubblepack envelope was not touched. FOr one reason it is good - they do not want to Damage something. But the bad Thing is you Need to pick up the stuff @customs.
[/QUOTE]

Well, put a CN22 on the outside of the packet, and it should go through :+1:

Seems like my order got through customs, but the Deutsche Post refused to ship my packet…

I always put the CN22 on the outside. The CN22 form must be filled later in front of the post office officer.
The problem with German custom is (now I know it): They are very polite, UNLIKE what we usually experienced from custom dept. around the world whose open the packet without the presence of the owner of the packet. Just Xray scanning is enough for German custom. This is something new to me. What they asked was the invoice paper outside the packet in resealable plastic bag/envelope.
In Indonesia we randomly received our packet Xray scanned, torn, inspected, and stuffed back in disorganized, disordered manner.

- Clemence

EDITED: Thanks ChrisBob for reminding me. I misplaced the invoice into the transparent resealable plastic pouch, exposing the recipient’s address.

- Clemence