where can I get a crash course on international shipping (etsy)?

[Former_Member]

I just made the plunge and clicked on ship everywhere for my listings to stimulate sales.
I entered shipping charges in the box in edit mode.
From reading these posts I am confused about how sellers handle shipping charges.
I need an intensive read on how its done here on etsy. So where do I access that info?
No one wants to eat shipping!
I only ship domestic on another online venue as the reimbursement is not enough. So I have limited experience shipping international. I don't want to gouge the customers yet I don't want to get burned either.

[Former_Member]

I also am planning on shipping international and could use a "crash course" as well. Some questions:
How to determine shipping costs?
What extra paperwork is involved?
Are forms available for this purpose?

[Former_Member]

I haven"t offered international shipping yet because I don"t feel that I have enough knowledge about it. I do want to do it but I also want to be sure I know what I doing first.

[Former_Member]

I've had some success using the USPS International Price Calculator:

http://ircalc.usps.com

The only reasonable shipping method is all the way at the bottom -- First Class International. It takes longer to get there, but it's the least expensive.

I'm thinking of adding selected European countries just to start out - which means re-weighing all of the items that I'm offering in "if it fits it ships" boxes. Whew!

[Former_Member]

Thanks all. And, Sara, I will look into the USPS shipping that you mentioned.

[IndigoSkylark]

First Class international is the most cost-effective way to ship internationally and can be used for packages up to 13 ounces. I've been on Etsy for 3 months and I've been burned on several shipments because I set the shipping too low (ex: sold a small $10 tin with $5 international shipping and the actual shipping was $9.45-Yikes!). So now I weigh my item with my kitchen scales and use the USPS site to determine what the rate would be to Australia because it's one of the most expensive. I then use that rate as my "everywhere else" rate but I also have a statement on my shop banner and in every listing telling buyers that I will refund any overpayment of shipping. It's very easy to do a partial refund on Paypal or Etsy. It seems to be working and now I'm not losing money on international shipping. My international buyers have been very understanding and I promptly refund any excess to be fair. Good luck. I definitely suggest offering international shipping by the way. 6 of my 21 sales have been international.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Elizabeth. That is what I will do.

[LakesideQuiltsMaine]

I know if you offer international shipping you will be found in searches more often as they filter out those that don't ship to them.

If you look at some of the "big" sellers here you will notice they ship everywhere.

I have been burned several times on shipping, I now add enough to cover fees and packaging costs. This way if I am wrong it will at least be covered and I will only be out my fees etc. I wanted to cover.

I also added a disclaimer in my shipping policies the buyer is responsible for any taxes or fees that might be incurred on arrival.

I have read that some countries are very difficult to ship to , that is what scares me from adding shipping to everyplace. I tell people to contact me for prices.

[WillowRoseStyle]

I've had a few, the most expensive Australia, so now I default everthing to that fee. I also had a package never show up in Australia, and there is no tracking after Chicago, so I refunded everything-ouch. But I guess that happens

[AmandasGranny]

The last time I listed something (a few days ago), you could name the country you wanted to ship to and the amount of postage needed for that country.

I feel that Canadians would be put off if they saw their rates the same as to Austraila.....

As you ship to different countries, make a note of the weight and cost. This is easier than researching each time.

Always weigh you parcel.

This is sorta complicated, but it is learnable, because I can do it. Took me a lot of studying.....mildred

[FlahertyNaturals]

I am trying to learn the ins and outs of shipping to EU, Canada, Australia, and would love to ship to Japan. However, it's sooooo confusing. Does anyone have, or know where I can get, a "International Shipping For Dummies" book, class, help from another shop owner, etc.
I've spent days researching, and unless you have an address, e-mail, or phone number, you cannot determine costs for shipping to Canada, etc.
Thanks in advance
Shipping Impaired, but not for long....
Debbie - Flaherty Naturals

[Former_Member]

Hello all, My question is about taxes and all aplicable forms ... how do you guys handle that? I just checked with FedEx and it is 70$ to ship something to Mexico that is less than 1LB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.... I just checked to there because I have a friend who lives there so I used their address... but anyway ... I don't understand all that is needed!

[LindasArtSpot]

I just sent a package to Canada the customer never received it. USPS office told me they don't offer insurance for out of country. Is that really true or did I get helped by a doo doo?

Fortunately it was something I had more of and I reshipped but in the process I have eaten a big loss.

Any suggestions? I am totally new to this.
Should I offer postal options for the customer to pay for insurance?

What happens if they don't get something not insured? Wow is responsible?

[NewportRoad]

Elizabeth H. from ColorfulClay says

First Class international is the most cost-effective way to ship internationally and can be used for packages up to 13 ounces.

=============
13 oz. is the limit for domestic U.S. First Class. International First Class goes to 4 lbs.

International First Class is definitely the way to go, as long as your package is 4 lbs. or less. (It must also meet some dimensional requirements, but that's seldom a problem.) Make sure you get an accurate weight, because every ounce increases the cost significantly.

I figure only two shipping amounts for International. One is Canada. The other is Australia, which also works for almost everywhere else. (I don't ship to "everwhere else," but to certain specificed countries, based on what my third party insurer (ShipSurance) will cover because I think that's the safest way to go.)

The buyer pays any customs charges, duties or tariffs, so you don't need to worry about that. But make sure to make a note of that in your policies, and it's also good to remind the buyer in the order confirmation email. (And don't ever let a buyer talk you into marking the item as a gift, because that's illegal.)

Mailing label and customs form are easy if you print labels through Etsy. The customs form is incorporated right into the mailing label, and all you have to do is sign it.

Lastly, make sure to insure any shipment that you can't afford to lose or replace. Use a third party insurer, not usps. If you use the Etsy mailing label, you can opt for their insurance, which I think is U-Pick. I insure separately through ShipSurance because I've heard good things about them and because I can insure for the entire amount, price + shipping, so that I'm fully covered.

I hope that helps. It's really quite easy once you do it a couple of times.

[NewportRoad]

Linda,

The Seller is responsible for getting the item safely to the buyer. If you ship something that you can't afford to lose, you should insure it to protect yourself.

If a buyer doesn't receive something he paid for, he rightfully looks to the Seller for a refund or replacement. And Etsy and/or PayPal will back him up on that.

Bear in mind that packages can take several weeks to reach a destination in Canada. So it may still be on its way.

Also, the USPS attitude you got re insurance is one of many reasons to use a third party insurer instead.

[NewportRoad]

Irene,

Don't use FedEx to ship International. USPS is less expensive. Also, FedEx or any of the other private carriers will charge the buyer a brokerage fee, which makes for unhappy buyers.

[LindasArtSpot]

Helen,
Thanks for all the good advice. I did reship the "lost" item. The buyer received the second shipment and two week later received the original item which ended up taking 8 1/2 weeks to get there. They like what they ordered so much she keep the second item and paid for it. So success all around.

Where and how do you fins ShipSurance? Is it a link through etsy?

[FrankieandMyrrh]

I just goggled ShipSurance and the second listing was "pissedconsumer.com", which lists more than a few complaints. Sounds like to me you better have big ticket items to mess around with that hassle.

Insurance companies are jackasses; they want pictures, excess paperwork, affidavits from the postman. WTF, an affidavit from the postman?? Next thing, they will want you to issue an Amber alert for your missing box. Then call in the FBI to negotiate, if it has been kidnapped.

And, besides, what kind of major company can't clean up its search engine results. If pissedconsumer.com was right below me, I'd do something. At least start taking affidavits from all the other search results or something.

[Former_Member]

Helen, and everyone, thank you so much for your help!

[AllAboutJESUSDesigns]

Help, my packages are between 4 or 5 pounds and I want to ship internationally. I got a price of $36 from usps for Canada. Does that seem reasonable? I would like to ship to other places, but Everywhere else just seems too too too scary right now....What other places are more common?

[Former_Member]

Has anyone shipped items to Russia? I just had someone ask if I could ship an item to her. I have not yet ventured into shipping internationally and am not sure if it is even worth it to try.

Thanks

[Former_Member]

I do not use USPS as they are more expensive for the size and weight of most of the items I ship. I found that UPS was cheaper and I was wondering if there was a one flat rate for countries or is it by the zip code? Everytime I call them to get a quote its drastically different and I would like a lil more stability in the shipping prices as it is a major pain to constantly call the UPS store to get the shipping rates and the more the variances the more it affects my bottom line.

[MagpieMadnessJewelry]

Hi, I'm just shipping light stuff, like a pair of earrings, etc, less than 3 oz. When I use USPS to ship internationally, do they count as a "letter" since it's in a small bubble wrap package?

I've been shipping State-side exclusively, but my donated earrings in a team were won by someone in Estonia. I figured this was a good time to learn how to ship internationally.

[AdelaidesCorner]

I want to thank all of you so very much for all that you have shared here. I have been on Etsy now for a year and have been lurking in the shadows of this team for just about that amount of time. I have learned so much from the things that you have shared. I do go into your shops and favor things so that even though I'm just sitting out here reading, I am supporting this team.
And I have now looked up some shipping prices and have listed some light things to ship everywhere. It has brought me a lot more views.
Again, thank you all so much. Barb

[WillCarterMedia]

Great information in this thread, it answered so many questions for me! Thank you to everyone who has contributed their experiences, I found all of the information in this thread very helpful!!