posted on May 15, 2001 06:27:26 AM
Question for anyone who has done International shipping with M-Bags - where do you get the M-Bag? Do you bring your packages to the post office, and they put them in the bag, or do you provide your own? If the latter, can you suggest a supplier?
Second question - why doesn't the International Rate Calculator at the USPS.gov site suggest M-bags as an option? As I figure it, for a shipment of under 11 lbs of books, I can cut the shipping cost in half. (Unless I'm figuring something terribly wrong).
Thanks for any assistance.
rca001
I've used an M-bag once-- to send a heavy art book (7 lbs.) to Tahiti. I got the M-bag at the PO; put the wrapped & addressed book in it, filled out a tag & sent it off. 6 mos. later, it arrived in Tahiti.
With M-bags, it's a great, cheap way to send a number of things to a single address, or even one heavy thing. You must pay as if you were shipping 11 lbs., even if the article weighs 1 lb. Of course, if the article weighs 15 lbs., you pay for 15 lbs. The advantage is M-bag rates are cheaper than surface or parcel post.
posted on May 15, 2001 10:55:19 AM
Thanks for the info. I'm headed off the Post Office now to get an M-bag. I guess the time delay is the reason they don't show this as an option on the international rate calculator.
posted on May 15, 2001 04:56:50 PM
hi rca, I have used M-Bag about a dozen times. I think it's great - BUT - warn your buyer that delibvery is unpredictable! It is usually about 8 weeks, but can go twice as long!
Second, double-wrap in cardboard, and be sure the book inside is wrapped in a SEALED plastic bag as it may sit for awhile in a warehouse or nasty old boat (yes, I know they are ships, don't care). Now is a good time to reuse those little dri-packs, that keep products dry when shipped! You DO save them, don't you? Now you know why you saved them!
HEAVILY tape in both directions on the outer box or cardboard wrap. Picture them taking it to a narrow dark opening in the deck of the boat and DROP-KICKING it to land about 20 feet below in a musty tangled mass of M-Bags!
Yes, the p.o. provides the M-Bag itself. They are about 2' X 3', some are actual canvas but I've also gotten ones of a woven material like fibreglass or poly, or something.
!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't forget to use the LARGE customs form! I had a pkg returned from S Korea because the window clerk had told me the small customs form was fine. They did pay to resend, but my customer waited a total of 5 months!
M-Bag service is not available to all countries so don't get too loosey-goosey offering it to one and all!
Mom, quality performance, classic models available, every family should have one!
[ edited by immykidsmom on May 15, 2001 04:58 PM ]
