posted on June 3, 2004 05:40:56 AM
I'm considering expanding to international shipping. What are the pitfalls? Any particular countries I should definitely not ship to? I'm considering adding Italy - Australia - Germany - Great Britian - Japan and Israel to my shipping list. Any of these a no-no? Am I going to need any forms other than usps customs form 2976?
posted on June 3, 2004 09:48:56 AM
it depends on what you ship??
it wont hurt to ask your bidder to help you select a carrier,as they should be more aware of local customs and delivery service.
Italian post office is terrible,some countries,mail theft is a big problem,some like israeli customs,they open every package coming into the country.
Italian customs duty on antiques is like 20%.
U-PIC has a list of countries they dont do business with,same with Paypal.
One word on private insurer,what do we know about them,how well capitalised are they and how much is their reserve.
Every one likes to rake in all that premium,but how well do they honor the claims??
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
posted on June 3, 2004 11:16:24 AM
I ship to thhe UK everyday and have just added Australia back to the daily grind but have also shipped somewhat regularly to Japan, Sweden and Denmark. I ship first class airmail letter post and rarely if ever have a problem. If packages are under 16 ounces they do not require customs (something you occasionally have to inform your postal clerk of).
tracking is not available although you can get signature confirmation if you are willing to pay an arm and a leg for the upgraded shipping level (AM Parcel Post) that they require in order for you to pay for the $7.00 service. If you don't need tracking but want to insure I would reccomend one of the private insurers already suggested. If you need traacking then go with a UPS or DHL type service.
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If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
[ edited by fenix03 on Jun 3, 2004 11:17 AM ]
posted on June 3, 2004 02:02:38 PM
There's a small customs form for items under 2 pounds, another larger one for heavier items. Small items can be shipped very economically by Global priority mail. My foreign bidders have consistently been good to work with. Surface mail delivery time has not been a problem for me; most foreign bidders know if they choose that it can take a long time. None of my Aussie customers has ever asked the "where's my package" question.
