International Shipping Help

[SoraPandora]

When I send packages within the US, I usually use Paypal to print out my labels... but when it comes to international packages, I've always been cautious and taken them directly to the post office. This was fine until the hike in international shipping.

Now it seems like I'm always paying at least $10-15 to send anything overseas (even if it's just a few ounces). Which SUCKS because it means I've had to stop sending happy mail to some of my closest pin friends across the pond!

So I'm looking into using Paypal for International postage now... But I'm a little confused. Can I use "International First Class" when I'm sending a bubble mailer? Can I select "large envelope," or is that only for flat mail?

Help!

 

[Addicted to Alice Pins]

I'm curious too. The PO employees, when I go in person, insist that bubble mailers are small parcels (and therefore expensive). But most of mine fit the dimensions of a large envelope .... I've always been afraid to wing it because I don't want the recipient to have to pay if the PO decides I didn't use sufficient postage. But it does seem like a racket.

 

[jax]

I have shipped things international using Paypal, and have never had an issue with the rate I paid. It should tell you the guidelines of what is covered in first class. I also find that the post office folks do not kick back packages very often. I have made mistakes before with weight, and have never had a package returned.

I have the same problem at the post office with them Charging more for bubble mailers. If you use their machines, you can ship the bubble mailers first class for cheap. Normally 3OZ and less is around $1 (no tracking)

 

[AshleyV]

I always use PayPal to mail things internationally and do first class/large envelope. As long as you make sure the weight is correct (I always err on the side of the package being heavier, just in case the postage is insufficient), you shouldn't have any problems. I think it usually comes out to around $5-8 depending on where I'm shipping, never more than $10. I should also mention that I don't send large packages overseas, just whatever I can cram into a small bubble mailer.

 

[SoraPandora]

Thank you guys so much!

 

[docfish2u]

In order to use the international first class the package can be no larger then 3/4" thick. They don't usually check that, just know that it could be returned if it is larger then that.

 

[Shelterkat]

I always use Paypal, International First Class, and it's between $2.50 and $4.16 depending on ounces as long as there aren't a lot of pins. I love being able to fill out the customs form online and it's so easy now. Gone are the days of the multipage form that had to be hand-written. Remember though, you have to hand it to a postal carrier or go to the post office. You can't drop it in a box. I just hand mine to our mailman at work. Oh, and invest in a small scale from Office Depot or some such store..it will save you a lot of headaches!:roll:

 

[SoraPandora]

Thank you both, so much!

Docfish, I'm going to give it a go and print out postage for my next package to London via Paypal. I'll be sure to measure the envelope (to make sure it's less than 3/4" thick) first.

ShelterKat, Great tip about the scale - I already have one that I bought it when I first started pin trading, and it is easily one of the best purchases I have ever made!
If anyone reads this who doesn't have one yet, please consider investing in one! It will pay for itself many times over if you enjoy pin trading via snail mail.



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[bookhugger]

Some postal employees are more picky than others, from what I've read on here and Facebook. So make friends with your neighborhood postal worker and maybe they will take it without questions?

 

[Piglet]

I live in Belgium (so that should be the same charge as the UK I presume) & have received a few pin packages from the US. Using USPS First Class International I've noticed the charge is usually around $5 for a small bubble enveloppe containing a few pins. Hope this helps

 

[SoraPandora]

Some postal employees are more picky than others, from what I've read on here and Facebook. So make friends with your neighborhood postal worker and maybe they will take it without questions?

Hahaha, excellent! Luckily the people in my tiny post office are wonderful. Thanks for your advice!

I live in Belgium (so that should be the same charge as the UK I presume) & have received a few pin packages from the US. Using USPS First Class International I've noticed the charge is usually around $5 for a small bubble enveloppe containing a few pins. Hope this helps

It does help! Thanks a bunch.


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[SoraPandora]

Thank you all so much! I used everyone's advice here, and sent a pin to Paris last week for only $3.50 (!!!!!).

And today, the recipient wrote me to say she got the package without any problems.

This is going to save me a FORTUNE!!! :hsd:

 

[froggerway]

I always use Paypal, International First Class, and it's between $2.50 and $4.16 depending on ounces as long as there aren't a lot of pins. I love being able to fill out the customs form online and it's so easy now. Gone are the days of the multipage form that had to be hand-written. Remember though, you have to hand it to a postal carrier or go to the post office. You can't drop it in a box. I just hand mine to our mailman at work. Oh, and invest in a small scale from Office Depot or some such store..it will save you a lot of headaches!:roll:

Shelterkat, have you mailed Int'l packages from home using PayPal? I've doen that several times. The form you're supposed to hand the mailman, I simply rubber band it around the package. The mailman always takes the page and package, scans the paper and then places the rubber band and paper back in my mailbox and drives away. I've done this three times in the past ten months and all of the packages have arrived safely overseas.

Re: the small scale... I cheated. I use my food scale for the packages. For whatever reason, the food scale, which measures in ounces, grams, kilograms and pounds was a lot less expensive than a mailing scale. Myabe because it can only weigh up to three pounds? Who knows? It works as a multifunctional device which is all I care about, LOL. :rofl: