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Entrepreneurship:  shipping from the U.S. question  |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
 Posted - May 17 2012 : 09:38:55 AM
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Where is it going first of all? The experience my dh has had with shipping outside the US is not a good one. Basically, if by USPS, once it leaves this country, you SOL if it gets lost even if ensured. If you absolutely had to ship outside the US, I would go with UPS or FEDEX. At least there is a tracking number associated with the package, and at least with UPS, there is a minimum of $100 insurance included in the shipping. I would limit the shipping to Canada or Mexico. Depending on what is being shipped, the item that you are shipping may not be able to be shipped to a foriegn country for what ever reason. If it is something that you are selling commercially, you may have to pay tariffs and be subject to other taxes. Personally, I would advoid it all together. Sorry to be so negative.
Lorie
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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FieldsofThyme
Farmgirl Guide & Schoolmarm / Chapter Leader
4928 Posts
USA
4928 Posts |
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SpyChicken
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Christine
Fond du Lac
WI
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2012 : 08:19:49 AM
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Of course it depends on what you're shipping...I ship internationally all the time. My items ship w/in the US for around $2.75-4.00...the same item ships outside the U.S. to Canada for a little bit more than that (maybe a .75-1.25 difference) and around the world-not much more than that...around $4.00-5.00. You can go to the USPS website and put in the weight of the item, etc. and it will give you an estimated shipping cost and then you can use that as your shipping charge to the customer. Most international customers expect higher shipping rates.
You might want to put a note on your site for your customers explaining that THEY will need to be responsible for any customs/import duties on whatever they are ordering (just to avoid any misunderstandings).
There is also a very easy small white customs form that you will need to fill out to ship internationally (your local post office can help you out if necessary).
It seems overwhelming and almost not worth the trouble, but shipping internationally is easy once you do it a couple of times. It can open up a whole new set of customers for you-good luck!!! |
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queenmushroom
True Blue Farmgirl
985 Posts
Lorena
Centerville
Me
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2012 : 1:52:13 PM
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Also beware of the scam that starts out "Is item still for sale?" If you get a reply in very bad english and it states that they will send a moving van or truck even for the smallest item, it's a scam from overseas. They will also want you to deposit a bad check (though they won't state it's bad) and give the person picking up the item money back. Don't do it!
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
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Hosanna
True Blue Farmgirl
466 Posts
Hosanna
Alton
Virginia
466 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2012 : 2:05:25 PM
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I ship worldwide an have never had an issue; not once in three years. If you do it right, you won't usually have issues. About 50% of my Etsy sales are overseas. Cost is only super high on heavier items. It cost me $50 to ship a wedding gown to Hong Kong; and $45 to send a quilt to Australia; that's the most expensive shipping I have done thus far. If it's heavy, I ask buyers to let me know what country they're in and then I get a quote via the USPS website. Make sure you have a scale, though.
Today I shipped two packages to the UK, one was a ring and it shipped for less than $3.00. The other was a hat and it went for less than $10.00.
The PO recently changed their rules and all customs forms have to be filled out on line and printed out, signed and attached with tape. No more filling them out by hand. You can also buy a certificate of mailing that proves you did ship the items. I think it is a few bucks for that.
The thing is to make sure all your customs forms are filled out completely and clearly with no mistakes. Also print out the mailing address very clearly and large, and affix it to the package very well so it will not fall off or anything.
I would not have much of a business if I didn't ship international.
www.happilyeverafterhosanna.blogspot.com
www.thewindofheaven.blogspot.com
www.CarolinaRoses.etsy.com
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sue5901
True Blue Farmgirl
122 Posts
Sue
Wellingborough
United Kingdom
122 Posts |
Posted - Jun 05 2012 : 02:37:45 AM
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I often have things shipped to me from the States and never have any problems - one thing arrived within 48hrs. Basically if you want it quick it costs more but if you don't mind waiting it can be very cheap. UPS is the main shipper. I would always expect to have to ask for shipping costs and wait for the reply before deciding to go ahead with the purchase or not.
And definately warn people they may have additional charges from their own customs when it arrives and you have no control or responsibility for that.
Dance like nobody's watching! |
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Entrepreneurship: shipping from the U.S. question |
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shipping from the U.S. question
