posted on March 30, 2001 06:04:38 AM new
I need some info, I live in a very small town and the postal clerks could care less about dealing with international shipping. Anyway a couple of weeks ago I sold a very small collectible to someone in the UK, I was told the shipping would be 15.00. The buyer said they had the same collectible shipped to them before for $8-10. This package would weigh less than 2 lbs. OK, those of you that ship internationally tell me, what method do I tell this postal clerk I want this item shipped.
Thanks, Ericka
posted on March 30, 2001 06:07:16 AM new
Go to the USPS website & enter the information in the international rate calculator. Then you can see the shipping & cost options.
Print that out & take it to the post office with you. Hard for them to ignore their own website.
posted on March 30, 2001 06:09:56 AM new
In January the USPS combined letters and letter packages, postcards and postal cards, aerogrammes, printed matter and small packets into one category and called it GLOBAL PRIORITY LETTER POST. It encompasses ALL packages up to 4 lbs in weight (after 4 lbs the Parcel Post rates apply) mailed out of the United States.
The International Rate Calculator is located at http://ircalc.usps.gov/weight.asp?Contents=1
Here is a handy link for you to calculate rates quickly:
http://www.members.home.net/wordstar/USPS_GP.html
For example, if your package weighed 2 lbs, Airmail would be $13.30, Surface would be $6.30.
As far as Customs, there are only three things to note on the small Green Customs form:
1. Description of Contents: "used ??"
2. Value: $ (should be auction ending price -- do not include postage)
3. Type: Gift/Merchandise: Always merchandise
>Print that out & take it to the post office with you. Hard for them to ignore their own website.
If the website, and their rule book differ, they go by the rule book. I am trying to get a refund on a GXG package that cost $89
more than the website quoted. Many emails, and letters, but no refund.
Why not let ericka decide for herself whether she sends gifts or not?
Fine... YOU don't send gifts. Why do you find it necessary to tell others not to send gifts either?
Description: accurate description
Value: As you see fit - auction value, purchase value, replacement value - but be aware that duty kicks in in the UK at $30 for merchandise, slightly higher for a gift. Postage is included in determining the dutiable value of the parcel, so make sure postage is EXCLUDED from the value.
posted on March 30, 2001 07:10:22 AM new
I'm glad to see that the original poster is willing to ship out of the States. As such, my response was meant to demonstrate that this need not be an onerous process -- the International Rate Calculator on the USPS website does list all the postage options (and the other link I provided lists all the rates up to 4 lbs in a handy table). I assumed they might also have been unfamiliar with the Customs slip so I brought that into the conversation.
I don't see that my response needs to get anyone started on a tangent about why their parcels should be marked "gift" -- a demand that many US sellers resent and which is a factor in many of them deciding to limit their sales to US only!!
"Value: As you see fit - auction value, purchase value, replacement value" -- sorry, value is what I PAY for the item. Nothing more, nothing less. The fact that I BOUGHT the item means that it's merchandise. By the way, I live in Canada and have to pay extra for many of the books I order from the States. I do not ask that "gift" be placed on the Customs form -- I only ask that the value be what I paid for the book. I expect that the seller will note "merchandise".
posted on March 30, 2001 07:27:00 AM new
engelskdansk
Thanks for being so helpful. I especially like the 2nd link you provided. I bookmarked this page, it seems like a handy chart to have for shipping internationally.
I appreciate all your help.
Ericka
posted on March 30, 2001 08:07:24 AM new
Engelskdansk,
It was the "Always merchandise" that got me going. I don't ask for gifts, but I am sure not going to turn them down, as several international sellers I have dealt with have done.
I am glad when they are willing to send items as gifts, and I am not going to insist that they tick "merchandise".
Regarding value... perhaps I should have said whichever is the lowest value : auction value, purchase value, replacement value.
