International Shipping

[PlumsandHoney]

Hi All! I want to ship internationally, but I haven't because the listing asks for a specific shipping cost for the "Every Where Else" option. Since each country can have a different cost I have hesitated. If you ship internationally, could you tell me how you handle this? Thanks so much!

[Former_Member]

Hi Betty, I set 2 international shipping locations. 1 for Canada and then Everywhere Else. I usually pick Australia or UK. From there I go to USPS postage calculation and use an average weight item from my shop and add in the weight to Australia. It gives me the ONLINE postage and I add in my handling fee. I use that fee as the Every where else option and add in $3-$4 for additional items. If the customer buys more than 1 item I usually refund any overcharge fee's.

I have some heavier items so I make sure to weigh them individually and put in the accurate cost for everywhere else when I make a new listing.

Hope that helps.

[PlumsandHoney]

Thanks much for this. Do you lay this out in your shipping policies?

[Former_Member]

I only ship my bows internationally, but I also found that Canada tends to have a lower shipping cost than everywhere else. I have a price for Canada, a price for Mexico, and a price for everywhere else. If you look on USPS, they have a chart of zones. I think there is 3 for international shipping, and it is really helpful. I would put the information in your shipping policies. I would also let them know that shipping times really can vary quite a bit for international shipping, so they will need to be patient.

[PlumsandHoney]

Thanks! This is very helpful!

[PICFiberArts]

I also do international, one for Canada and one for everwhere else. I weigh the package and set a price for Australia since that is the furthest and reimburse if there is an overage for other places.

[Former_Member]

Patricia, how do you reimburse shipping? I didn't know we could do that! That is very helpful.

[Former_Member]

Kimberly, You can reimburse through paypal if they paid through there. There is a "issue refund" button next to the received payment.

Betty - I'm not sure which part do you mean I lay it out on my policies? I don't state that I will refund cause it will depend on a case by case. Most times I don't have to refund since it's close to the online postage. Other times it's over and here and there it's under. I try to calculcate the additional item cost so it's over and I rather refund the difference.

[sherischart]

Thank you. Always worrying over international shipping.

[PlumsandHoney]

Thanks much to all. Very helpful!

[LadyMaggies]

Very good advice here but I have a related question: for your international shipping quotes, what shipping methods do you use? Is it always USPS? Or do you look for DHL or another shipping company? I worry about the tracking and delivery issues associated with USPS turning over the package to a foreign postal delivery system.

[beatroad]

I also do USA, Canada, and Everywhere Else as my shipping options. I don't think I've ever shipped to Mexico or I might have listed it separately also. Canada tends to run cheaper than other international shipping. I've been shipping internationally for over four years without a hitch, though I will say there's a learning curve to getting your rates right. ;)

I weighed items then went to the USPS website and calculated cost to ship, and then set my shipping up. I do cover all my costs with my fee - it was hard after the shipping hike to justify raising rates so much, but, had to do it. :\

[Former_Member]

I do this,

UK, US, CAN, AUS, European Union, Ireland and everywhere else.

[SageNThymeDesigns]

I just had an order to New Zealand, which (alas) is more costly than shipping to Australia. That's my new reference point for "the furthest it may have to go" when calculating internationally shipping rates.

The only places I've ever had international shipping concerns was the UK- things get bogged down in customs there more than anywhere else I've shipped.

[kzannoart]

Hi Betty,

I am happy to ship international, and I state so in my shop opening statement, however I do not list the rates in my listings, so a customer has to convo me for international pricing.Then I take the item to the post office to get a accurate price and adjust my listing if they want.

You can do it on line as well at USPS website. I have someone contact me about once a month. Mostly from Australia or Europe, -K

[Gothbunny]

I am new to shipping international what is the best way to figure out how to set my prices? I went to usps and put in a low value for my item just to see what it would tell me and the lowest price it gives me to ship to Canada is 19.00 I see lots of shops offering shipping prices much lower than this. Thanks for all the help Katrina

[Former_Member]

Rebecca- I use USPS as it's the cheapest to send from the U.S. and the buyer has a lower custom fee's. If you ship by DHL or Fedex they will incur a larger custom fee's. I state in my policy that custom/brokerage fee's are the buyers responsibility. I usually ship USPS First Class International and have not had any issues since there is no tracking. However, first class international is starting to have tracking to Canada and other countries. I do state in my policy that I don't ship to 3 certain countries due to lost packages so if I get an order from that country I will refund and cancel. I have not had any though.

Katrina - Do you have a digital scale to weigh your items? If not you should invest into one so you can have accurate shipping prices in your shop. You can order one online from amazon or ebay for $20-$40. If not a kitchen digital scale can work for the time being if your items are not heavy.
When you click on USPS postage calculation are you checking the "package" and then entering in an accurate weight? Once that is done it generates an online price for First Class International.

I did an estimate for 2 oz to Canada and the online price is $6.16. $19.00 sounds high and it seems like you probably selected a different shipping option.

[PlumsandHoney]

Kristine, it sounds as if your method is like my current one. In each listing, I ask international buyers to convo me for shipping & handling costs. I think that may be too hidden, however. In a recent critique of my shop, an international seller suggested I make it clear I sell internationally; hence my original question. Am I understanding that our processes are similar? Do you get international sales?

Thanks to everyone. I don't know what I would do without this team!

[Gothbunny]

Thanks for the help.