Lets find out why the International market is so hot Q & A right here

[Platzki]

Hey all!!  I ship internationally too and haven't had any problems... yet!!  LOL

I state in my terms and conditions...

In order to give you the most accurate shipping quote, please contact me for shipping charges. The charges calculated in my auctions and store listings are for UNITED STATES buyers only and DO NOT apply for international shipments. PLEASE NOTE: I declare the exact purchase price as the value of the goods on all customs forms. I WILL NOT mark the item as a “gift” or lower the value on the customs declaration. All applicable customs charges and tariffs are the sole responsibility of the buyer. I do not ship to Asian countries at this time.

You'd be surprised how many buyers (after buying the item) ask me to mark it as a gift... I had one guy from Canada request, after winning an auction for $179.00.  He wanted me to either mark it as a gift or put the value as 99 cents.

I replied and didn't even answer his question.  I simply directed him back to the listing which states my terms (I also have this on my 'me' page).  He didn't argue with me... he paid for the auction and I shipped it like normal.  How could he argue?  It was in the listing that he supposedly read!!

My point is... don't worry about losing sales because of strict international shipping terms.  It's far more important to lay it on the line with your buyers and have them either by the item or not on YOUR terms than to go to jail because you wanted to save someone else a few dollars!!!

I do have a question... I haven't shipped anything since the changes to the names of the shipping modes in USPS.  Like Airmail Letter Post is now International First Class.  I was wondering if I can still use my World Priority Mail boxes that I have a bazillion of...

Anhyone know???

[toyfads]

Hey Platz,

You can still use those world priority boxes if you are shipping priority.  You can also use the regular priority boxes for international packages.

[Platzki]

Hey Platz,

You can still use those world priority boxes if you are shipping priority.  You can also use the regular priority boxes for international packages.

Really??  You never could before... could you??  I never did...

[toyfads]

Hey Platz,

You can still use those world priority boxes if you are shipping priority.  You can also use the regular priority boxes for international packages.

Really??  You never could before... could you??  I never did...

No, you could not use them before.  Its nice because you have a better variety of box sizes to choose from now instead of just that one global priority box size.

[Platzki]

Excellent... I love that you can use them especially since they're free!!!  Thanks for all the info!!!

[kevinatgrannys]

Okay, now the really tough question. 

Does anyone ship books to Canada and what have you found out about restrictions on the types of books?   :gmorn

[The Bar Keep]

Okay, now the really tough question. 

Does anyone ship books to Canada and what have you found out about restrictions on the types of books?   :gmorn

Good question, please refer to link below to see if your items fall under any of the restriction laws.


http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/ce_003.htm#ep2041503

[SusieTFTF]

This is an interesting thread for me as I'm hoping to increase my international sales (start then, if I'm totally honest  :blink),
however most of the posts are referring to sales in the opposite direction to me!

I totally agree about filling in forms etc, I am completely honest in all the forms I fill, including my tax forms, because the thought of being caught and hauled over the coals is ghastly....., and I'd rather lose a sale than do something illegal.

I do know from the few overseas e b.. sales I made long ago, that the customs forms here are very easy to fill & print in online tho. Its the plethora of postal options thats making my head spin..do I go for a courier or stick to Royal Mail Air mail? These are the questions I need to answer for myself.

Very glad I joined here, the threads are excellent :clap
Susie x

[kevinatgrannys]

I really hadn't thought very much about the reverse...however, I know it must happen because there are a lot of sellers from "across the pond."  Hopefully someone will come enlighten us...or I will have to hunt someone down...

[kevinatgrannys]

Well, an update is in order.  Thanks to the info that I got here and dealing with a fantastic seller/buyer...I am now selling/shipping to Canada.  My first sale went off without a hitch and both the buyer and I were happy.  Now...back to work! 

[2boysandtoys]

I've shipped internationally before, and have 2 repeat buyers currently from Canada.  I've shipped beyond Canada, and also have shipped for international buyers to family here in the states - gifts, holidays, etc.

I've never purchased internationally tho - just never had the need yet.  I would do it in a heartbeat if needed tho - I'm all for a global market place!

[Baysbeauty]

I ship international all the time and I also have a repeat customer from Norway.  The only bad thing about International orders is that you do not get a DC on the shipment so the buyer can say that they didn't receive the package and almost all the time they do not have a confirmed shipping address.  This has happened to me and the only protection you have is to have them pay for Registered Mail which will protect you, however it is costly.