So, I did a world wide PIF thinking I wouldn't mind paying to ship something overseas should someone win it. I took the small package to the post office and was quoted $178 to ship it. I was however told if I pick up a small flat rate box it is around $30 to ship it. Unfortunately both post offices in town have no small flat rate boxes. Has anyone found an inexpensive way to ship things overseas? Please help me out!
Thats insane and not true. I never go to the post office just print my labels through paypal. I had someone buy something from me at about 10oz. Usa to Australia. $15 postage. Also to Spain I sent a package $15 Note that above 1st class price go up dramatically (14oz or more). But i would not expect something like that...
I was told I could check on USPS.com to calculate prices before I go wait in line again. So I checked it out and the cheapest I have found is a small international flat rate envelope for $24. I figure for $6 more I can get the small box and it should keep the contents safer.
Also if shipping to Europe, it may or may not be cheaper to just buy the item from a European vendor such as Connaught and have them ship it. You have to think outside the box man.
I 've shipped overseas economically. You want FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL , it can't weigh more than 4 pounds and get the acceptable dimensions for your box. You were quoted prices from a menu appearing on the computer, they were quoting you express mail or priority mail. Our post office is under considerable political attack and faces demise so they are wanting to make money too, so they will upsell you to priority or express. But First Class International is the way to go, its always cheapest. I sent a friend 8 razors, some in boxes for $30 overseas just recently.
A timely thread. I recently PIF'd a tube of Proraso Green to Slow-Joe in Denmark. Initial USPS shipping indicated ~$20.00 but surely this is incorrect. Joe and I exchanged a PM. I am going to check further today to see if I get a handle on actual shipping costs. Makes me wonder how Leon at Vintage Scent is able to ship a brush to the U.S. for $3.45.
This all started when omelmad won a PIF of a couple blades. As soon as I realized he lived in Sweden I decided to beef it up and make it a decent shaving package. I have now decided to go to a different post office in another town tomorrow and talk to them to see what the actual price is to ship a package or pick up a flat rate box. I think I may also have to do a PIF that is for only non-CONUS members. I feel like they don't get as many opportunities due to shipping cost.
+1 Go here: http://postcalc.usps.gov/default.aspx and choose "package" (plain looking - black and white image) at the bottom of the page and enter the weight. Stay away from the fancy boxes and mailers offered near the top. Pay close attention as you progress through the next few pages, they try to de-rail and upsell you again. I calculated a 2.0 pound package to Germany with a declared value of $80.00 and the cost was less than $24.00 Don't EVEN think about UPS or FedEx...... Unless you sell your Lear Jet first!
Thanks for posting this. This is the only way I found a decent price. So I actually found this out on Saturday and I calculated a 2 pound package to Sweden at around $25. If they have international priority flat rate boxes at the post office I can ship a 4 pound small package (in the small priority box) for $24. Unfortunately the post office here has been out of small flat rate boxes for about a week. I think mailing first class is the cheapest if you are mailing a package that weighs less than one pound but if you are mailing a 2 pound package then it cost about the same to mail a small priority flat rate box up to 4 pounds.
