Shipping to Scotland

[TikasDesigns]

I have my first international order. I'm so excited, but even after reading the forums i'm not sure of the best way to ship.
Any advice/tips about dealing with customs, packaging, insurance etc???

[OneFairfaxRoad]

How much does it weigh? I usually ship First Class International if the package is less than 4 pounds. I also check whether I'm better off using a flat rate Priority Mail box, which includes insurance.

Check the USPS site for any prohibited items (here it is for Scotland/UK) http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/fh_014.htm#ep3576772

If you don't have the buyer's phone number, you may want to ask for it as the customs form has a space for it. (If I don't have it, I just put my phone number.)

You can easily ship through Etsy just like a domestic order. The "shipping label" will be 4 pages. Be sure to sign and date all 4 pages. Take all 4 pages to the Post Office, where they will stamp it and affix it to the box in a plastic envelope. Good luck!

[LeedsRadio]

I've shipped to UK more times than I can count. Do not use 1st Class mail unless
1) the item is very inexpensive
or
2) You like banging your head against the wall, having root canals done or being stranded for a week in an airport.
It nominally has delivery confirmation but if the lazy UK civil servants don't feel like scanning the object, they don't. First class doesnot NOT a 4 part form, it is one part and stuck directly on the package.

Priority Mail has recently changed as well. It was never a 4 part form. I was a three part form with a 4th part to be used a shipper receipt. For electronically generated postage that has changed and it is now a 2 page 8.5 by 11 form that is folded an put into the same see-thru envelope (PE-2976E)

DO NOT USE THE AIRBILL & CUSTOMS FORMS TAT HAVE TO BE FILLED OUT BY HAND!!!! If you do, you'll have to bring the package to a cleark at a window and you know what they have to do? Type what ever you have on that form on their terminal. It's like watching paint dry.
With electronic postage they need only scan the barcode and you're done.

Package securely but not TOO securely. Heavy boxes mean high freight costs. Double check receiver's information. Warn person ahead of time that tariffs can be quite high for some items and remind them that it's their government NOT YOU changing them those insane fees.

[TikasDesigns]

Thanks Anne and Richard for the great tips.

Its a light package,under 10 ounces and not really expensive.
I will contact the buyer regarding any tariffs, their contact number and upgrading the shipping.