International Shipping

[AllisonGlickCeramics]

Please share your experiences and opinions. We are considering shipping outside the USA. Thanks.

[Claydancer]

I've found that some of my best sales have been to international customers - Norway, Australia, and Canada being the leaders. Not just here, but on a couple other sites as well.

USPS will now track to certain countries (not all, but some), so one can keep closer tabs on the packages. And, if you're not using Etsy labels, USPS now also offers First Class International with tracking when purchased through Click 'n' Ship on their website.

It's really quite easy - when I'm figuring shipping, I use an estimate for what it would ship to Australia, and refund the overage (if it's more than a dollar or two). I have yet to refund on but one or two sales this way.

International buyers are also aware that the shipping may be high - if they're willing to pay it, there shouldn't be a problem.

Do, however, make a note in your shipping policies that international customers need to be aware of any and all additional customs fees/duties/taxes. This is not something the seller is responsible for - the buyer is. It's not a bad idea to also include this information in your note to the buyer upon purchase.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide.

[AllisonGlickCeramics]

Lori - Thank you for the tips.

[KarinLorenc]

I ship internationally. The prices seem like they would be prohibitive, but every once in awhile someone isn't bothered by it and purchases anyway. I use a price for Canada, and an "everywhere else" price figured using Australia as Lori mentions. Keep in mind that just accepting the payment for $70 shipping fees costs you a few dollars. It's an endless circle of fees!

[AllisonGlickCeramics]

It's hard to ask for so much to ship! Even our smallest items with the boxes and all the packing material are weighing in at just over a pound. Any suggestions on the lightest materials that will still protect pottery?

[barbaradonovan]

I have shipping to Canada (1st class international) set up for my small item listings like cups, mugs, small bowls, spoon rests. For the larger items, they are only set up to ship within the US, but I state in my policies to contact me for a firm shipping quote on larger pieces. This may discourage some, but it also gives me the opportunity to warn international customers to be aware of taxes/fees their countries might charge. Keep in mind that any box over 12" on a side or over 4 lbs has to go Priority Mail International which is wildly expensive so be careful to keep that in mind when you set up shipping prices for big things. (someone else might know if those limitations on 1st class int have changed in the last couple years, but I don't think they have)

Yes, the shipping seems like a lot, but my Canadian customers seem already aware it will be expensive and purchase small items anyway.

I just use bubble wrap, peanuts, and single sided corrugated wrap, recycled supplies when I can. I don't double box unless it's a very expensive hard to remake item. When I run out of my current supply of bubble wrap, I'm going to look into single cell foam (think that's what it's called?) a potter friend of mine uses that is cheaper and she feels better than bubble wrap because you can use less of it to protect.

[AllisonGlickCeramics]

Thanks for the info.

The Etsy shipping calculator says that for International First Class the cost is based on pounds and ounces, instead of rounding up, like on Domestic Priority, which would really help for those 1lb.,1 or 2oz. packages!

Can anyone confirm that it really does work that way?

[KilnMasterPottery]

In my experience it is always rounded up when shipping international. Thus 1pound two ounces cost same as 2 pounds.

[Former_Member]

I work for a small company that ships international often. Its all cast porcelain, and most items are square. We just use a few sheets of bubble and then a layer of really heavy brown craft paper. We rarely will hear that something broke during shipping.

For me personally, I use bubble, peanuts, and some paper. Mostly recycled materials, to help keep fees low. I do a little extra packing since my pieces take longer to replace if broken.

I havent noticed a difference in price between 1lb 1oz or 1lb 3 oz for shipping.