International shipping questions

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone!

Does anyone ship internationally? What's your shipping policy? What's the best way to determine your costs? I would love to offer international shipping for my jewelry. I don't see where my items would be over 4 lbs. but when I try to calculate from the USPS website it gets ridiculously expensive to ship to some places. Right now I have my site set to ship to US only and I offer the Priority Mail Flat rate. I like the one rate and having delivery confirmation.

I noticed that it gets expensive with international shipping and you dont always get the delivery confirmation. Any advice would be wonderful!

thanks,
Kim

[Former_Member]

Yes, I've shipped internationally for years.

I simply use the USPS web site to determine the shipping costs and leave it up to the customer to decide whether or not they wish to pay what I charge.

Within the USA I ship 1st class for anything 13oz and less simply because I cannot justify charging someone $5 - $6 when it can be shipped for $3.25 or less. That includes tracking and delivery confirmation.

Once over 13 oz it has to go Priority within the USA.

For international shipping I'll use USPS 1st class international for anything under the 4lb limit and Priority for anything else. Tracking is now available to some countries although that hasn't been a factor. Most of my international customers will purchase more than one item simply to take advantage of my combined shipping rates as well.

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

Your items are very pretty but for me personally, I would not pay $6.00 shipping for a pair of earrings. I only say that because I had a jewelry shop on Etsy in the past. I know a 3 oz or less package containing a pair of earrings can be safely shipped first class with delivery confirmation using Etsy's shipping for $1.69. As a buyer I consider a shipping charge in the $3.00 range to be fair for jewelry (I know packaging costs need to be added in).

As far as international, the rates are what they are. The USPS increased international first class package rates quite a bit at the end of January. I agree with Crochetgal to leave it up to the buyer whether they want to pay the shipping fee or not.

[SerenityInChains]

I also ship International First Class. I use a small ($15) scale to weigh the item and all the packaging with it, and use the USPS website to determine how much it will be. So far I haven't had an issue, but then again everything has been under 13 oz.

We also use a DYMO 4xl label printer to print our labels, which makes it very convenient. I save 21 HOURS a year with my label printer vs printing them on the inkjet, cutting them out, and taping them to the package, AND filling out the cn22 (customs) form and driving to the post office. They run around $250 last time I looked, but are completely worth the investment if you can afford it!

[kzannoart]

In my shop announcement I say I would be happy to offer international shipping, please convo me for information. I get a handful of inquiries, so I take the item to my local post office to get a confirmation on weight and price and send them a quote. I have had people want to pay the shipping and others that don't. I happens so infrequently for me , that I don't want to adjust my listings. I find it the easiest way to do it.

FYI international shipping rates have gone up a lot, and I don't feel like people from other countries are buying from the US as much as before.

[Former_Member]

Crochetgal and Judy thanks for the advice on shipping price, that does make more sense than paying $6 for an item that's less than $20. Serenityinchains I like the idea of the DYMO label printer. Kristine I really like the idea of offering international shipping in the shop announcements and having them convo me. All great advice, Thanks Everyone!