Shipping to US

[AquillaDesign]

Wondering who has shipped items to the US and how much you usually charge?

I have my first sale and the buyer needs it asap so was wondering what the quickest is you can send to america?

[KilnFiredArt]

I have used Transglobal Express, (a broker who finds the cheapest courier service) for porcelain bowls, which aren't insurable for breakage. It took 2 days from UK to USA, the down side, it cost £50 but the customer was prepared to pay for the service. if your item is on the small and light side it shouldn't cost too much.
I've tried Airsure for jewellery, it's meant to take 15 days but took much much longer

[Former_Member]

would love any advice any members have to give on figuring out over seas shipping. My packages are going to average 6x6x6 inches. The royal mail website is really rubbish with their info and I can't get a straight answer! Do I have to use parcelforce (which would work out at £24!) or are there alternatives? Help! I really don't know how small makers are able to do business outside of the UK if that is what postage is going to cost buyers.

[Former_Member]

Hi,

My items are quite flat, so I can get them through the Size Guide as a small parcel - however even my lightest/smallest items cost £3.50 this way through standard Airmail. There is an "aim" of 5 days on this service, but don't take that as guaranteed - it varies from 5 - 21 days (average is 10 days)

I know that if you want it faster you have to pay more, it seems to take 2 - 3 days to get to the US (that's assuming customs don't hold it once it gets to the US) and cost a minimum of £49 no matter how small it is.

If anyone has a miracle, fast , cheap service I'd be really interested to hear too! :-) Good Luck

P.s. Just found http://www.parcel2go.com/ - not sure if that'll be any use? :-)

[Former_Member]

Always use Royal Mail and to be honest I've never had any hassle. The new package sizes are taking a bit of getting used to but I'll get there. Try taking a sample package to your Post Office when they're quiet and ask if they'll give you all the options?

[WillowsRoom]

Most of my sales are to the US and I've never had any probs with normal airmail. Airmail is actually a lot simpler than posting parcels in the UK. Just go here & you can very easily work out the price http://www.royalmail.com/price-finder I normally weigh the item & envelope on my kitchen scales.

[TheSherbetPatch]

I also use normal airmail, and a cushion I sent recently took 10 days, which I think is pretty good.
Parcel sizes are so much more straight forward to send abroad than within the UK since Royal Mail changed their domestic sizing rules!
It cost £13.60 to send - it was a feather filled cushion so was quite heavy - and I charged £12 for postage.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for all the great tips!

[ThamesArt]

Oh, wot a complete nightmare this is. I sold a printers tray to someone in the USA and naively figured it would not cost to much would it! Christ, was I so wrong. The post office wanteded to charge £50 so I checked out UPS and they wanted a whopping £90.00! Luckily I have a contact on a US Air base and it went US domestic at a minuscule $16.00. The tray itself I sold for £45.00 so really not worth it if you don't have someone on a US Base somewhere.

[PashMala]

I often use AirSure to send items to USA or Australia. Tracking is provided until the package enters the country. I can check if the items has arrived safely.

For large items, I use PD4.co.uk. It is fantastic. You can add your package details, weight, measurements and choose your courier. I've used FedEx to the USA via P4D.

http://www.p4d.co.uk/

Anna