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Shipping Internationally From The U.S. Without Spending A Fortune

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Shipping Internationally From The U.S. Without Spending A Fortune
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Evil Fairy
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SHIPPING INTERNATIONALLY FROM THE U.S. WITHOUT SPENDING A FORTUNE​

We in Canada and Europe would very much like you all to keep trading with us, so I’ve put together some info to help you educate your local post office.

Despite the hikes in postal rates, you can still mail pins at a reasonable price by sending them as “Large Envelope” (see the end of this post for sample rates, which vary by weight).

The requirements for a “Large Envelope” are:

    • Maximum Length of 15”
    • Maximum Width of 12”
    • Thickness between 1/4” and 3/4”
    • Uniformly thick
    • Flexible

THE POSTAL CLERK MAY GIVE YOU A HARD TIME,
SO PRINT THESE TESTS AND HAVE THEM READY​

This is the “Uniform Thickness” test, directly from the USPS website as of March 21, 2013:

241.235 Uniform Thickness
Large envelopes (flats) must be uniformly thick so that any bumps, protrusions, or other irregularities do not cause more than a 1/4-inch variance in thickness. When determining variance in thickness, exclude the outside edges of a mailpiece (1 inch from each edge) when the contents do not extend into those edges. Also, exclude the selvage of any polywrap covering from this determination. Mailers must secure nonpaper contents to prevent shifting of more than 2 inches within the mailpiece if shifting would cause the piece to be nonuniform in thickness or would result in the contents bursting out of the mailpiece.

This is the “Flexibility” test, directly from the USPS website as of March 21, 2013:

241.236 Minimum Flexibility
Large envelopes (flats) must be flexible. Boxes with or without hinges, gaps, or breaks that allow the piece to bend are not considered large envelopes (flats). Tight envelopes or wrappers that are filled with one or more boxes are not considered large envelopes (flats). Customers have the option to perform the tests described below and illustrated in Exhibit 241.236a–Exhibit 241.236con their own mailpieces. When a Postal Service employee observes a customer demonstrating that a flat-size piece is flexible according to these standards, the employee does not need to perform the test. Test flats as follows:

  1. All large envelopes (flats) (see Exhibit 241.236a):

    1. Place the piece with the length parallel to the edge of a flat surface and extend the piece halfway off the surface.
    2. Press down on the piece at a point 1 inch from the outer edge, in the center of the piece’s length, exerting steady pressure.
    3. The piece is not flexible if it cannot bend at least 1 inch vertically without being damaged.
    4. The piece is flexible if it can bend at least 1 inch vertically without being damaged and does not contain a rigid insert. No further testing is necessary.
    5. If the piece can bend at least 1 inch vertically without being damaged but contains a rigid insert, test the piece according to 241.236b or 241.236c.

Exhibit 241.236aFlexibility Test — All Large Envelopes (Flats)
immc2_016_1.jpg
​

Large envelopes 10 inches or longer that demonstrate the required flexibility in 241.236a but that contain a rigid insert (see Exhibit 241.236b):

  1. Place the piece with the length perpendicular to the edge of a flat surface and extend the piece 5 inches off the surface.
  2. Press down on the piece at a point 1 inch from the outer edge, in the center of the piece’s width, exerting steady pressure.
  3. Turn the piece around and repeat steps 1 and 2. The piece is flexible if both ends can bend at least 2 inches vertically without being damaged.

Exhibit 241.236bFlexibility Test — Large Envelopes (Flats) 10 Inches or Longer
immc2_016_2.jpg
​


  1. Large envelopes less than 10 inches long that demonstrate the required flexibility in 241.236a but that contain a rigid insert (see Exhibit 241.236c):

    1. Place the piece with the length perpendicular to the edge of a flat surface and extend the piece halfway off the surface.
    2. Press down on the piece at a point 1 inch from the outer edge, in the center of the piece’s width, exerting steady pressure.
    3. Turn the piece around and repeat steps 1 and 2. The piece is flexible if both ends can bend at least 1 inch vertically without being damaged.


Exhibit 241.236cFlexibility Test — Large Envelopes (Flats) Less Than 10 Inches Long
immc2_016_3.jpg
​

Note that:

    • The additional test is for an envelope with a "rigid insert" - ie. a rigid piece inside is allowed; "flexible" is about the package as a whole.
    • The envelope doesn’t even have to bend to a 90 degree angle. The end of the envelope only has to move by 1” (envelope < 10” long) or 2” (envelope =/> 10 long).
    • Unless you have a large pin tightly attached along the horizontal or vertial centre line of the envelope, your envelope will qualify.
    • On this test, even pins on cards should be OK, as long as they are not on the horizonal or vertical centre line of the envelope (ie. keep them in the 4 ‘quadrants’ of the envelope).

SOME THOUGHTS ON HOW TO PACKAGE YOUR PINS SO THAT THE ENVELOPE IS “UNIFORMLY THICK” AND “FLEXIBLE”:

    • Use additional bubble wrap beside the pins, to keep the envelope “Uniformly Thick”.
    • Don’t put multiple pins all in one tight pack of bubble wrap.
    • If they’re on cards, wrap each one individually. If they aren’t on cards you can wrap 2 or 3 together, depending of the size of the pins.
    • Place your individual packages of pins side by side, then lightly tape them to each other. This will keep the envelope more “Flexible”. It will also keep the packages from moving around, so the envelope will remain “Uniformly Thick”.
    • As it happens, I think this is the best way to package pins to minimize the chance of damage anyway.

SAMPLE “LARGE ENVELOPE” RATES TO CANADA, USING THE USPS ONLINE POSTAGE CALCULATOR:

    • $2.25 (2 oz.)
    • $2.45 (3 oz.)
    • $2.65 (4 oz.)
    • $2.85 (5 oz.)

SAMPLE “LARGE ENVELOPE” RATES TO THE U.K./NETHERLANDS/SWEDEN, USING THE USPS ONLINE POSTAGE CALCULATOR (these are the countries I specifically checked, but I assume all of Europe would be the same):

    • $2.90 (2 oz.)
    • $3.75 (3 oz.)
    • $4.60 (4 oz.)
    • $5.45 (5 oz.)

SAMPLE “LARGE ENVELOPE” RATES TO ARGENTINA, USING THE USPS ONLINE POSTAGE CALCULATOR:

    • $2.85 (2 oz.)
    • $3.65 (3 oz.)
    • $4.45 (4 oz.)
    • $5.25(5 oz.)
 
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I have the OP as a Word document, so I can send it to U.S. traders when we agree to a trade. If anyone would like me to email it to them, just send me your email address or post it here.

Also, if anyone wants the rates for another country added to the OP, post a request here.
 
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Thank you very much for this detailed informative post.
This will really help continue international trading. :like:
 
I would not sticky this yet. When my local post master comes back from vacation next week, I will show her this again, as we discussed this at length when the rules changes, and basically she said they did not apply.

As she described it to me, a pin is a rigid insert, because it is something that can not and should not be bent.
 
broncobilly83 said:
I would not sticky this yet. When my local post master comes back from vacation next week, I will show her this again, as we discussed this at length when the rules changes, and basically she said they did not apply.

As she described it to me, a pin is a rigid insert, because it is something that can not and should not be bent.
Click to expand...

I don't understand - was she saying that the rules are about to change?
 
pargani said:
I don't understand - was she saying that the rules are about to change?
Click to expand...

When the rules changed a few months ago, we discussed this at great length, as I shipped my first couple of internationals as large envelope (6x9). She knows what I ship, what I receive, etc, and took one of my international packages, 1 pin to France, and showed it to her bosses. They all agreed because it is an item not meant to be bent, it is a package. Yes, it was less than 3/4 of an inch, and less than an 1/4 inch variance, but it was not say folded paper that has leeway to bend ANYWHERE throughout the package.

If this gets them to change their mind, I am all for it, but it is my understanding these are packages, and if they are improperly processed could delay or even return shipping.

Also something to consider, large envelopes are NOT TRACKABLE. Packages are to a point, and then after they leave the US, you can call USPS for further info.

We all know this hobby is expensive enough already, and anywhere we can save a few bucks is great, but IMO should we really try to do it at the expense of the pin and it's delivery?
 
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I think they're misreading the rules, because that's not what they say at all. Saying it's not a "Large Envelope" because it has a rigid insert makes no sense, because there is a specific test for a "Large Envelope" that contains a rigid insert.

How do you send pins domestically? - as a package?
 
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pargani said:
I think they're misreading the rules, because that's not what they say at all. Saying it's not a "Large Envelope" because it has a rigid insert makes no sense, because there is a specific test for a "Large Envelope" that contains a rigid insert.

How do you send pins domestically? - as a package?
Click to expand...

Yes, it costs me $1.69 for 1-2 pins anywhere in the CONUS via First Class as a Package.
 
The same test applies domestically, so you should be able to send for less. Unless there has been some change in the rules that the USPS has not seen fit to post on their website, postal employees are simply misunderstanding them
 
broncobilly83 said:
When the rules changed a few months ago, we discussed this at great length, as I shipped my first couple of internationals as large envelope (6x9). She knows what I ship, what I receive, etc, and took one of my international packages, 1 pin to France, and showed it to her bosses. They all agreed because it is an item not meant to be bent, it is a package. Yes, it was less than 3/4 of an inch, and less than an 1/4 inch variance, but it was not say folded paper that has leeway to bend ANYWHERE throughout the package.

If this gets them to change their mind, I am all for it, but it is my understanding these are packages, and if they are improperly processed could delay or even return shipping.

Also something to consider, large envelopes are NOT TRACKABLE. Packages are to a point, and then after they leave the US, you can call USPS for further info.

We all know this hobby is expensive enough already, and anywhere we can save a few bucks is great, but IMO should we really try to do it at the expense of the pin and it's delivery?
Click to expand...

That is ridiculous. I ship pins internationally at least 2 or 3 times a month. I've never had someone tell me I was shipping a package because you cannot bend pins. I always ship my pins as large envelopes for international shipping. I've never had a problem with it.

If you are like me and don't live near a post office (my closest one is a half hour away), you can print the costume forums you need online and tape them to the package. I have international stamps (they just cost more) at home and just throw them in the mail box (one is at my local grocery store). I've never had a problem or had them shipped back to me.
 
OK I printed these instructions and packaged to pins according to the directions I did the test everything. I just got back from the post office who informed me even after I did the test in front of them that because its not "paper" inside and that if the pin shifts it doesn't bend. So I went back and repackaged so that it did not shift they still refused to send them as large envelope. I think it's really going to depend on who you get at the post office and how rigid they are. I finally gave up arguing it wasn't getting me anywhere. :(
 
pargani said:
The same test applies domestically, so you should be able to send for less. Unless there has been some change in the rules that the USPS has not seen fit to post on their website, postal employees are simply misunderstanding them
Click to expand...

Unless you are using a regular envelope, and please do not get me started on people who use regular envelopes with no packing material, LOL; I do not see how you can ship them cheaper. It is $1.69 for a First Class Package up to 3 ounces and that includes Delivery Confirmation. Postage paid for online and printed at home.
 
Mad hatter said:
OK I printed these instructions and packaged to pins according to the directions I did the test everything. I just got back from the post office who informed me even after I did the test in front of them that because its not "paper" inside and that if the pin shifts it doesn't bend. So I went back and repackaged so that it did not shift they still refused to send them as large envelope. I think it's really going to depend on who you get at the post office and how rigid they are. I finally gave up arguing it wasn't getting me anywhere. :(
Click to expand...

So what kind of "rigid" insert do they believe is bendable???...I'd call a central office to get it sorted out at a higher level.

As for tracking, international tracking stops at the border anyway (at least for Canada), and it often stops at the first U.S. distribution centre.
 
broncobilly83 said:
Unless you are using a regular envelope, and please do not get me started on people who use regular envelopes with no packing material, LOL; I do not see how you can ship them cheaper. It is $1.69 for a First Class Package up to 3 ounces and that includes Delivery Confirmation. Postage paid for online and printed at home.
Click to expand...

...I'm with you on the regular envelopes! I meant that you should also be able to use "Large Envelope" domestically, which I believe is slightly cheaper.
 
pargani said:
As for tracking, international tracking stops at the border anyway (at least for Canada), and it often stops at the first U.S. distribution centre.
Click to expand...

Online, yes, it usually stops once it leaves US customs outbound for the receiving country. But if sent as a package, if you call 1-800-CALLUSPS, they can give updates afterwards. As a large envelope, no you are stuck not knowing at all.
 
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