DC shipping international first class

[#1]

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.

[BabyGraceHats]

Be brave, Nana! It is a little scary at first, but I have even shipped international packages through my home mailbox now with no problem! I just hate going to the post office this time of year...

[TheSnapDragonsLair]

I do not remember the last time I actually waited in line at the post office. I sell vintage, so my packages are of all sizes and shapes, and I ship internationally at least once a week.

When you print your labels online (regardless of which option you use), you can select the option to ask the postman to come right to your door. I think it's the next day.

The postage calculator does not really care what size the package is as long as it's not over 108 inches (or something large like this). For packages, I always put in 10x10x10. The price only changes when it's an oversize package.

For first class US shipments, the weight goes up every ounce so weigh carefully. The price is the same from 1-3 oz. then starts to change.

After 16 ounces, the prices change every 16 ounces so it does not matter if the package is 1lb 1 oz or 1 lb 16 oz. Same price.

International changes every ounce, so weigh carefully. For international, try to keep the weight under 4 lbs. After that, you might as well fly it there yourself!

Happy Holidays!

[TheSnapDragonsLair]

ooppss..

[Former_Member]

Thanks all for answering my questions. I'm going to try it, the next time I get an international sale. It's generally Canada.

[PrairiePrimitives]

And shipping to Canada is sometimes cheaper than shipping within the U.S. Go figure!

[MariposaHandwovens]

So glad to see this thread. I am doing my first international mailing today and have been wondering about all of this. Is there any way to track a package once it leaves the US?

[ohmama]

Not unless you want to pay a lot for that service. I never have and not even sure what it would be? Maybe it's called registered or certified mail?

I just insure the package. That way you are covered if anything happens. Not through USPS though, use the insurance you get from etsy when printing the label. It's a better cost and better coverage.

[MariposaHandwovens]

Thanks Mary. I did go through etsy for the label. I added insurance but the label doesn't show that. Thought it would.

[ohmama]

No, it never shows you have insurance on the label. Doesn't show the postage cost either.

[MariposaHandwovens]

In a related question, I recently mailed my first international order and printed my label through Etsy. Since there is no way to track the package once it leaves the U.S., should I have gotten a certificate of mailing through the post office in case there is a problem? I shipped first class international and insured the package.

[ohmama]

It sounds like you are covered. I am not familiar with the advantage of having a certificate of mailing and so have never used it.

You have proof you sent the package and you have insurance. I think you did good to protect yourself!

[MariposaHandwovens]

Thanks Mary. Wish there was some way we could track our international orders. Until I hear that my buyer has received a purchase in good shape, I worry big time.

[Former_Member]

Hi all. I read through the first 2 pages of replies here and just thought I'd add my 2 cents. At first, I didn't want to do international shipping...I was intimidated by it. Now most of my sales are via international shipping. I picked up a small supply of the sticky plastic envelopes from the local post office and I print the customs forms on plain copy paper to save money. Most all of my things are shipped in bubble mailers with extra bubble wrap around the items for safety/security. I don't take packages to the post office, but have my mail carrier pick them up at my home which saves on gas. I weigh them myself. One important tip if using bubble mailers, criss cross packing tape over the backs in case they tear. I also use a strip of tape across the top and bottom for extra security. Never had a complaint, never had a package lost or misplaced..but I did forget to sign and date one of the customs labels once and I'm still waiting to see if it goes through or not, so now I sign them as soon as they're printed. (my memory isn't what it used to be, lol) Etsy gets the commercial rate on postage so it saves you money...a LOT of money. A bubble env. with up to 3oz. item costs $1.64 to mail, as opposed to about $2.80 at the post office. I'm all about saving money whenever possible and still maintaining good quality packaging/shipping. :) Hope this helps at least one person out there! Happy New Year all!

[Former_Member]

Forgot to mention this...you CAN track your international shipments. Just enter the label number that's in the same spot as the dc# in usps tracking. It shows exactly where your package is and the delivery date/time. :)

[VictorianaSedona]

I will have to try that label tracking. I have had several lost packages to foreign countries and the post office has told me that that is just a customs number and there is no way to track once it leaves the country. All I have ever seen is when it went to the sorting station.

[Rhinestones4u]

Lucky you Victoria. In the 3 years I have been selling on Etsy, the customs number has NEVER showed anything but it's last scan in the US, no International info ever.