Shipping Jewelry Internationally

[Former_Member]

Can any Jewelry makers out there give me some tips on how they ship internationally. I live in the United States and would like to be able to sell to buyers in other countries, but the more I read, the more nervous I get. I read a lot of countries have restrictions on Jewelry - so how do you go about making your packages as 'customs safe' as possible?

[BeadLoversKorner]

I try NOT to ship internationaly if I can help it, because of different country restrictions. But when I do it is usually just beads or clasps, so I just put beads in the content section. Any order over $100.00 I register at my cost to be sure it gets there safely.

[InspiredJewelryShop]

I usually just use a small bubble mailer. They usually have you put a note on there when you get to the post office. Its just a little sticker where you fill out what it is you are sending and what its worth. Its pretty easy. Ive shipped to Austrailia a few times with no troubles :)

[Former_Member]

I use bubble mailers. For flimsy items I wrap them individually in bubble wrap as well. Only problems I've had were with shipping glass items or long flimsy pieces of metal.

[BeadLoversKorner]

Yes, I use bubble mailers too, when I do ship an international package.

[Former_Member]

I'm on the other side, in Europe ;) Have ordered a lot of things, and many of them are bubble mailers and some of them are boxes.
For jewelry it is offcourse importent to wrap them good, because I think people sit or stand on the packages during shipping ;) so if you use a bubble mailer, put the jewelry in a gift box for protection. And if you use a box then put in paper so it won't slide.

Had same problem figuring out what's best for shipping. I've checked with other shops here on Etsy, saw how they ship. Also important is your pollicies! check other stores about shipping overseas and what the seller is not responsible for. Like customduties etc.

best to learn is to just do it ;)

[Former_Member]

Have any of you had items stopped by customs? If so, what was the result? Is there a way to track that?

[GoTo]

The restrictions on jewelry are often postal, not governmental:

Can I ship jewelry through International First Class Mail?
http://www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2010/10/02/can-i-ship-jewelry-through-international-first-class-m...

There are a few countries that actually do prohibit jewelry--I'm pretty sure Italy is one (pretty picky in general about what can be imported), Australia doesn't allow the import of certain diamonds ( http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4369.asp )...

[Former_Member]

If you are shipping inexpensive jewelry, ship it 1st class international and label it as "fashion accessory" and you shouldn't have a problem.

[Untwistedsister]

I'm going through the same turmoil over the international shipping thing. I just shipped a sterling bracelet to Australia and labeled it 'bracelet' on the customs form. Our postal worker said it's fine. Shipped it First Class International inside a box, inside a padded envelope.

How do I know when it arrives and how long should it take? Do you find out if Customs confiscates something?

So, how do you jewelry makers figure your shipping charges? Do you list them in the listing?

[Former_Member]

Yep! same here! Bubble mailers are the best! I have shipped to loads of different countries and have never had a problem :)

[SevenBlueberries]

I ship internationally and have heard its not allowed but have not had a problem. I also ship in bubble wrap and a box for safety! I have had one item out of 102 break so the customer sent it back and I replaced it!