posted on July 16, 2007 09:41:56 AM
I need to make sure I am up and up on this International Shipping.
I use Stamps.com. And I used to for international shipping be able to offer Parcel Post but now ever since they changed things around I am not able to offer the selection on my Vendio selections. Only Priority and Express. And if it's under 2lbs First Class.
But for instance I sold and item last weekend and it's going to Australia. And it weights under 2 lbs. But on Stamps.com it won't give me the option for first class. When I go to USPS.com they don't even give me the option. I am thinking maybe it's because it's a Box.
How are you guys handling your International Shipping?
posted on July 16, 2007 10:31:27 AM
We ship internationally each week, so I'm fairly familiar with the changes and how they've affected us.
I don't remember using International Express - even before the changes. Haven't since, either.
First Class International - up to 4lbs and may not exceed a cubic foot in size. That's 12x12x12 or any combination that equals 36.
If it goes over in size or weight, then it steps up to Global Priority - and then you need to open your wallet wider, too.
Global Priority - There are size restrictions, but I haven't hit them yet. We try to keep our items small so we don't have to deliver the news about how much the delivery will cost to our customers.
Now, you should also be reminded of the dimensional weight for domestic Priority Mail as well. If you're shipping something light - a few pounds or so - but use a box that is larger than 12x12x12 (or a cubic foot) your weight gets bumped up to accomodate the amount of space the package takes up in delivery vehicles. It doesn't affect you in the first 3-5 delivery zones (I think) so the folks in the middle of US aren't impacted as much by it - but if you're shipping from one side of the country to the other, it can be substantial. In one case, using a box that was 3 inches too tall would have resulted in an increase of $6.00+ - not because of the weight, but because it was larger than 12x12x12. I repacked that sucker and kept my hard-earned bucks in my pocket...
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on July 17, 2007 09:37:02 AM
Yes it is all very confusing and the post office clerks aren't too much help most of the time.
On domestic my favorite postal clerk said if it will fit in the priority boxes USPS provides - you don't need to worry about the size. That helped me out a lot. I guess the same would be true of international, unless it will go 1st class. 1st class requires an envelope or your own box.
