International Shipping - Specific Questions

[PrigrauceCrewel]

I have read many of the threads and searched, so hoping I am not asking question(s) that have already been answered. I hope some aren't lame; I am intimidated by international shipping!

I like to mail from home and have the post office pick up. I understand that I can continue to do that, but need to attach the customs form. I understand that customs forms now print with your postage label. Correct, so far? Do I need to get the plastic sleeves at the post office and insert the custom form in that? Do the instructions explain how many copies of the customs form go in the sleeve (if a sleeve is needed)? Would I be wise to take the first few to the post office to mail just to make sure I am doing everything correctly?

If you do online, the Certificate of Mailing is not an available option. When I first investigated international shipping a couple of years ago, many said that was an absolute must. Yes or no?

I read somewhere and cannot find it again that accepting PayPal from international buyers can be a problem. Any truth to that and why?

I also read somewhere that shipping to Italy is problematic? True? And why? It isn't really possible to list "Everywhere" if you are going to exclude some countries, correct? I see that most rates fall into the Canada, Mexico or Australia shipping costs. I read in many places to use Australia as the "Everywhere Else" because it is the most expensive. Mexico is a bit less, but rather than listing Mexico as a separate, do most include it in the "Everywhere Else" category.

What I sell are crewel embroidery Christmas stocking kits. I have sold over 335 in 2.5 years and only had two returns; both were lack of understanding by the buyer. Once a kit is opened, it is a big problem for me because I have to go through every thread to made sure everything is there, I don't know if it has shipped to a home with pets and/or smokers, the packaging is pretty roughed up, meaning I have some reprinting and packaging to do before I can resell. How detrimental is it to not accept returns on International shipping?

And finally, the "With Another Item" amount is the difference between one item and two, correct? Example: When calculating shipping, one item costs 10.95 and two items cost 15.15, the amount listed for "With Another Item" is 4.20, correct?

I have read over many of the threads on International shipping, so hope to have this go smoothly. Any other tips, head's up and/or warnings would be appreciated! Sorry that I have so many questions, but I would really appreciate some help. Thank you!

Michelle

[maydaylabels]

I don't know what a certificate of mailing is. If you print the postage online, there is only one form that prints out - this is the customs form and the postage label all in one. (Unless you ship USPS Express International, in which case you do need the plastic sleeve).

I haven't found any difference between paypal and Direct checkout for international buyers.

Shipping to Italy is problematic for a couple of reasons: the country has strict import laws, so there are a lot of things you just can't ship there. (a lot of things). Also, the postal system is sometimes a bit wonky, so it occasionally loses things or takes a bit longer. That said, we ship to Italy probably once a month with no problems.

We do use US, Canada, Everywhere Else (with Australia's rates as the Everywhere Else rates). We don't ship enough to Mexico to justify a separate shipping rate.

You are correct about the With Another Item explanation.

You must accept returns for items that are not as described, or damaged in shipping (the payment processors you use, whether paypal or direct checkout or both, require this). Other than that there are no restrictions; accept them or don't, your choice. I think your issue here, though, isn't whether or not to accept returns, but why you get people who don't understand that it is a kit. Probably this is because the main photo (and the next few) are just photos of the finished product, with no indication that it is a kit and not a stocking. Many people don't ever read the description and just purchase after skimming and looking at the photo.

[PrigrauceCrewel]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond; your answers in response to my questions were very helpful.

As to returns, I really haven't had any issue with customers not understanding that the kits are kits. Each kit is clearly named as a kit and the photos include one showing the kit contents.

Have a nice evening.

[maydaylabels]

Ah, sorry, I thought that's what you were referring to with "lack of understanding by the buyer."

[GoldenTwinClasps]

I just had a disturbing convo from a customer in the UK. She stated that her post office charged her 14.95 pounds to get her package after returning from vacation. She said she would never buy from me again!

I have shipped to the UK several times before and I have also shipped to Europe and Asia and have never had this happen. I told her to ask for an explanation from the postal service to see what the charges were about. I always use Etsy shipping labels and weigh my packages carefully.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[LoveandLovelier]

Hi. In the uk we are charged to receive post from the US if the stated value of the item is above £15 which is about $22. The charges are an £8 handling fee plus 20% of the stated item's value (this is our VAT tax).
I've been stung with this before, but I got angry at the post office, not with the seller I bought the item from! Sadly because of this I don't buy items from the US that are priced higher than $20.
Hope this helps.

[KiltedWoman]

I put the information that international buyers may have to pay customs fees in my policies, message to buyer, and announcement. I've had 3 customers shocked by the fees and one package returned so now I put that information in several places.

Estimating international shipping is tricky, sometimes I lose a few dollars but I usually get the amount about right. It is easier if all of your items weigh about the same amount. I sell a lot to Canada, UK and Australia. Never any problems. Just tape the customs label (from etsy labels) on the package and drop it in the mailbox. Correct me if I am wrong but If the package is pretty heavy you will have to go to the post office and fill out a customs form and they tape it on.

Warn the buyer that it might take up to a month to arrive if the package gets stuck in customs.

[maydaylabels]

You can tell her that you're sorry her government has imposed this tax, but it is not something you have any control over, and she should expect to pay it again if she buys from another seller overseas.

[TwistedKnickersInc]

good answer ananemone!