DC shipping international first class

[ohmama]

I wasn't sure if I should post this on the DC team or Shipping Improvements team but since my question is specific to shipping with DC.....

I will be shipping my first international package later today and printing the label through DC since it is going first class. The package only weighs 9 oz and is in a small box that measures 7 1/2 X 5 1/2 X 3 inches.

1. Do I round off the 1/2 inches to make it 8 inches and 6 inches? Is that important?

2. Will I need that plastic envelope to put the address label or custom forms in that sticks to the package? Those envelopes are large and would need to wrap around my small box. Would that be a problem?

3. Can I drop my package into one of those large blue postal boxed or do I still have to take it to the post office counter and hand it to them?

Please include any other information you feel is necessary for me to know, in your response. I hope to get an answer to these questions before I create the label this afternoon so I am posting in both teams.Thank you in advance.

[sherrytruitt]

Hi Mary
I've sent 4 packages this way so far.

You can round off the size.

You do not need the custom form that goes in the plastic envelope.

Everything you need is printed on the label.

As long as it is under 13oz you may drop it right in the blue postal box.
Just do not forget to sign and date the label.

I had a package arrive in UK in 5 days with this new label. A record for me.
Best of luck.

[ohmama]

That is what I thought but I remember in the past when I would go to the post office they would stamp the CN22 form and give me a copy for my records. I don't know how important that is since I can always make a copy for myself? I thought maybe they needed to be the ones to stamp it as proof it was sent?

Now regarding that 13 oz rule.... doesn't that only apply if it has stamps on it? As long as the label is processed through either paypal or etsy DC, would that rule still apply?

[Former_Member]

Mary - Thanks for asking these questions, I've been wondering them myself! And Sherry, thank you for the answers, they are very helpful! I just made my first DC sale today so need to get used to it. Thanks!

[AtHomeWithLolly]

My understanding is that after 13 oz. you must resort to another Postal selection, as First Class is only good up to that.

What I don't understand is the Etsy label I created for First Class Int'l Shipping in a padded envelope mailer, was $1.00 more than USPS online quote.

So, is Etsy matching USPS, PayPal or did they create their own fee?

[Former_Member]

Becky I don't understand that. My labels are always the same cost as USPS through paypal.

[AtHomeWithLolly]

Nora, could be they match PayPal; I use PayPal always, and it is a bit lower than USPS online quotes. So I thought If I gave a shipping quote I could use the USPS rate and be safe. Fortunately, I added a bit to the quote to cover costs of shipping materials but it still "rang up" higher on the Etsy label.

The one thing I do like is that with PayPal, you can edit the shipping preference and compare what one service costs vs another, and then hit PAY.

Does Etsy work that way...am I missing something? Could be!

This was my first label with them.

[Former_Member]

Becky I'm honestly not sure what could have happened. My labels always cost the same as they would on Paypal.

Maybe you could ask for help on the shipping improvements team. I'm sure someone there could look into it for you. I hope you get it figured out.

[PinchtheMuse]

First class international goes up to 4 lbs. After that you have to use international priority mail or higher service.

Packages more than 13 oz (domestic or international) cannot be dropped off in the blue mail boxes. You can use the online postage but you have to present them at the counter.


As for the fees--I did a first class international label today and it came out the same as the post office would charge. I don't go through online calculator though, I go off the tables they have available. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Edit to add: since this is a dc team and we are chatting about labels--if one wants Etsy answers it might be more likely to get answers if one posts in site help.

[Former_Member]

Some days I should seriously keep my mouth shut. I read Becky's post at least 3 times and the "international" part went right over my head.

Becky I'm sorry for giving you such crap info. Of course my international labels are not the same as paypal. You can't do international labels on paypal.

I'm a big boob. Sorry. I think I need to go to bed and rest my tired old brain.

[AtHomeWithLolly]

Nora, you are sweet! I appreciate your reply nonetheless!

[Former_Member]

U.S. Postal Service - Create Your Shipping Label
Create, purchase, and print U.S. Postal Service® shipping labels from your PayPal account. Complete the form below to prepare your shipping label. For more information, visit the PayPal shipping FAQ or view our brief demo.

I hope this helps

[Former_Member]

Thanks for these questions Mary! I just made my first international DC sale and was wondering how to handle printing the label.

Does anyone know if the international label prints on the half sheet sticky labels just like domestic? Are they bigger because of customs info?

[PinchtheMuse]

The international labels print on the half sheet.

[decotini]

Hello, just chiming in on the info regarding mailing in a post box. The 13 ounce rule applies only to packages bearing stamps. If it has been printed online, you may put any weight package into the mailbox. The reason is security. Postage stamps are anonymous, but with the printed labels your identity is known. It was explained to me once that this is a requirement, not by the PO, but the cargo companies who transport the mail.

[ninedoorsvintage]

Nora from ThePulparazzi says
Of course my international labels are not the same as paypal. You can't do international labels on paypal.

*****

Actually, you CAN print International labels via PayPal but only Priority or Global Express. They had a First Class option for about a week in early 2012 but it disappeared. When I called PP customer service and asked if it would be reinstated they told me they were working on it but it had bugs and to date there's no firm date on the return of the First Class option yet.

[LinorStoreDesigns]

US orders:

I'm not getting the online discount for mailing 1st class US, so I've been using PayPal. I really don't want to pay Etsy for mailing too.

[Former_Member]

Actually I do not think you can put the box in the blue box. The ones in my area all say it is for domestic mail only. So I also hand mine to the clerks.

[Former_Member]

I am talking about the box inside the post office. I am not sure about the boxes outside or in other locations. You may want to ask 1st.

[ohmama]

I've done quite a few international first class labels now so I think I have the hang of it. Very easy!! I've never seen a warning that the drop boxes are for domestic mail only??

Also, I always drop them in any big blue mail box, inside the post office or not. As long as they have a processed on-line label on them (customs form that is signed too) you're good to go. Outside mail boxes are no different than the large mail drop slot inside the post office. That is unless you are using stamps. Then you have to go to the counter.

[Former_Member]

To ask a question on International being dropped in an outside blue box...How do you do the custom form for it? Doesn't it have to be attached to the package? I'm confused.

[ohmama]

Sorry, should have worded that differently.... The customs form you print via etsy labels is also the address label. It's the same thing, you just need to be sure to sign it at the bottom. I just tape it to the package and drop it in the box.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Mary. I would love to try this so I don't need to always go in the PO! I'm afraid to do it though. The form I fill out has information on the product, weight, value, etc. Is that information on the label???

[PinchtheMuse]

Yes nanagcreations----On the Etsy international labels...the customs form is the label itself--with all the information (in most cases).

I've mailed quite a few and so far so good.

I only had an issue with one....but that was my PO not an Etsy issue. They didn't scan it...they read the return address as the mail to address and put it right back in my PO Box. Luckily I check my PO box regularly.

[Former_Member]

Thank you PinchtheMuse

I think I'll give it a try the next time. I get quite a few Canada orders and would love to do the online label and put it in the outside box the very next morning. Right now I have to leave work early to get to the PO before it closes the next day. It would make my life so much easier!