Sending Pins Overseas (US to Europe)

Hey everybody,

I just had my first experience trying to send pins to Europe through the post office and I'm a little disappointed to say the least. They claimed that if I wanted to add tracking to the package, it was going to cost $45 and that insurance was going to cost $25 - on a shipment labeled with a value of $10. That can't be normal, can it?

Anybody who has a lot of experience shipping pins overseas be able to help out?

I don't live in US so I don't know the possibilities. But I do know there's a list of countries on the USPS site that track the customs number you get when you pay for regular shipping. The other countries can track it, but don't have to. But the list is long.

Usually when someone ships with an "official" tracking, the package sticker says $18-20.

OlafOlaf said:

I don't live in US so I don't know the possibilities. But I do know there's a list of countries on the USPS site that track the customs number you get when you pay for regular shipping. The other countries can track it, but don't have to. But the list is long.

Usually when someone ships with an "official" tracking, the package sticker says $18-20.

Click to expand...

Ah, I do have a customs number. Hopefully that is enough in this situation.

Most people who mail from the US to overseas do not send it with tracking (unless it's a high value item). They just use the regular customs form and that is usually enough. There's always the risk of lost packages, but that is a risk that is also domestic and can't be avoided unless you spend the extra money for tracking/insurance/signature/etc.

I just wanted to chime in and say that I have yet to pay over $10 (tracking included) on padded envelopes to Europe weighing up to 4oz. I created an account with USPS.com and print my labels from there - you can electronically sign the customs form so you don't have to do that at the post. I typically declare the value at $10, designate it as a gift and select the (a) option (non-humanitarian which is (h) ). I give the customs label # to the trader which is trackable (at least they can see when it leaves the US and enters the European customs offices). Hope that helps, happy trading

Edit: I ship First-Class International - I've traded with people in the UK, France, and Germany (France was the most expensive at $9) just to give you an idea.

If you want to add official tracking through the post office, I think you have to ship priority mail? That's what it looks like on the USPS website

If you use the USPS.com website they now offer free tracking on packages shipped online. During the process you can add an e-mail address for notifications when the package hits certain points in shipment.

I use it and a 3oz package is 6.16 to ship with tracking.

Thanks for all the info! That’s the last time I try to do it at the actual post office!

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