posted on March 14, 2001 07:41:29 AM
Hello, and thanks for reading. Does anyone here know of any online postage companies whose programs allow international postage
label printing? I'm teetering on the brink of doing international shipping, but going to the local post office is not an option, given the volume I do. Currently, I'm a user of
stamps.com, which doesn't support int'l shipping and may never support it. Someone in a previous thread mentioned that there is a stamps.com workaround to the problem, but I wouldn't want the danger of the label's printed bar code to cause lost packages when the bar code and the int'l address don't agree.
Please steer me in the right direction if you can, and thanks in advance.
posted on March 14, 2001 04:05:23 PM
Hello again. At the moment, I do no international shipping, due to the need to go to the local post office to do it. I'd like to skip the entire post office routine if I can, and that's why I'm looking for online postage that will print postage to international destinations. That way, I can just leave the packages in my home mailbox for the mailman to pick up, just as I've been doing all along with my US shipments. As is, the locals in this small town of mine look at me like I'm some kind of mutant when I go into the post office on occasion with packages (when I miss the home pickup).
I definitely would like to ship internationally sometime in the future, but need a good reliable source of online postage.
Again, any tips, website url's, etc would be appreciated.
posted on March 14, 2001 04:17:37 PM
My understanding is that the USPS has not approved online postage systems for international shipping yet.
You can use a standard ("red-ink" type) postage meter for international shipping. You'll still need to attach the appropriate customs forms, but you can generally just leave the items on the counter or loading dock w/o having to stand in line.
I am anxious for the USPS to approve on-line systems.
posted on March 14, 2001 10:48:46 PM
I use SimplyPostage "metered" labels for international as well as domestic shipping without any problems.
The address isn't printed on the label with the postage $$ like some other services do it (Pitney Bowles, etc.), so the address doesn't have to verify in order for you to print the postage out. I don't think you CAN print out a verified international address with barcode through any services, can you? (The website I use, http://www.cedar.buffalo.edu/adserv/, doesn't offer international addresses.)
You can get the rate amount you need for the package off the USPS website and manually feed the amount into the SimplyPostage printing unit. The label will say International Letter, and you simply mark the package "Par Avion/Airmail" or "Surface" (unless you use a Global Priority or Global Express Mail envelope/box, which is already marked). Attach appropriate customs forms (small green/white under 4 lbs, large white in plastic sleeve over 4 lbs)and drop it at the counter with your domestic packages.
