Obscure UKC question 456 b , but I think there are a couple of people on here who may know the answers . I m looking at a secondhand espresso machine on eBay that was made in Germany . It may go relatively cheaply because it needs a part replaced . To order the part through official channels will apparently take several weeks , I’m guessing , ( but need to check ) that the part is available ( the manufacture is very reputable) so this is down to customs formalities . So my question is What if a friend in Germany bought the part , unboxed it and just posted into me with sone kind of covering letter attached . Would the part get through or would it he held just the same as of it came officially ?