International Shipping Rates - Are mine too high?

[Lolasanajewelry]

Hello --

I am struggling with setting international shipping rates for my shop. I plan to ship first class as a small package. I estimated 10 oz for the weight. Would you take a look at my shipping profile and tell me if the rates are outrageous? I used the rate calculator on the USPS site and then rounded up or down to get an even numbered shipping rate.

Thanks for the help.

[GoTo]

I think the international rates look fine for 10 oz packages but I've never shipped an individual piece of jewelry that weighed more than 3 oz (including a 3x3 inch cotton-filled jewelry box and bubble mailer).

Using Etsy labels, Domestic First Class postage for up to 3 oz is $1.93 including Delivery Confirmation, so I think $6.50 is a bit of overkill for those.


If you don't have a scale either get one (less than $30 including shipping on Ebay or Amazon--well worth the small investment since it makes shipping from home easy) or take a few items--lightest, heaviest, middle-weight, to the PO in the packaging (as if you are going to mail them) and ask the clerk to weigh each for you and set your rates according to the actual weights the clerk tells you.


A side note, in case you hadn't noticed: International First Class goes by the ounce up to 8 ounces, then they change every 4 ounces & parcel postage rates start at 2 oz.
(2 oz, 3 oz, 4 oz, 5 oz, 6 oz, 7 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz, 20 oz....)

A 1 oz or 2 oz package costs the same ($6.16 online postage) anywhere in the world, after 2 oz the rates change based on the country it's going to and the weight of the package.

And a 9, 10, 11 or 12 oz package costs the same to lets say the UK, a 13 oz, 14 oz,15 oz, or 16 oz the same...

[Lolasanajewelry]

I send the domestic packages via Priority Mail flat rate in the small box and I use a jewelry box for the internal packaging. Thanks for the great feedback and the suggestions.

[GoTo]

You're welcome. I commented on the domestic shipping because I believe the policies stated First Class Mail for domestic packages.

First Class and Priority are treated the same most of the year (the holidays in December being the exception), so sending First Class usually gets there just as fast for less money.

[Lolasanajewelry]

I reviewed and modified my policies. Not having previously done so was sloppiness on my part. Thank you so much for taking the time to give such thoughtful and helpful feedback.

[GoTo]

That makes sense--I thought I had read First Class. :)