International Shipping Question

[lyonsgirl]

Sorry! I'm not in an international relationship with my SO, but I'm trying to ship something internationally (to Canada) & this place seemed like the best place to post this... I've searched on USPS and on LFAD, and haven't found much information. What I have found on USPS is that it might cost me $60+ to send a padded envelope!!!! I've never shipped anything internationally before, so I'm a newbie at this. I'm planning on going to the post office once I actually get what I want to ship and talking to a clerk there, but I was wondering if anyone had any words of wisdom for me.

USPS, FedEx, UPS? Is any one of them significantly cheaper than another? I know shipping within the US USPS is generally less expensive, especially if it's a heavier item and you can fit it in a flat rate box.

[Dezface]

You can get flat rate international boxes from USPS. That's what I've used for shipping everything. The littlest one is pretty cheap while the next sizes up jump quite a bit. But I have still found them cheaper than either UPS or FedEx.

[lyonsgirl]

Yea.. I was looking online and the flat rate padded envelope was still $30.... I was hoping to pay less than $10, since what I'll be sending is worth about $5.

[lucybelle]

Can you fit it in a regular envelope? Then all it costs you are two stamps.

[lyonsgirl]

Can you fit it in a regular envelope? Then all it costs you are two stamps.

I doubt a bag of Hershey's kisses would fit in a regular envelope... Thanks for that, though! That's good to note, just in case I decide to mail any letters to Canada.

[Dezface]

The smallest flat rate box is cheaper than the envelope. I *think* it's about 16. That's about as good as its going to get! Shipping prices blow.

[Haley53]

You could also consider getting a pack of manilla envelopes? https://startupblog.files.wordpress....a-envelope.jpg Something like that. It's probably cheaper and should be doable for Hershey's kisses. I use manilla envelopes whenever I can.

The alternative is to use an old shoe or food box and either duct tape it or cover it in brown shopping bag paper (insides facing out) so that it's suitable to send and readable for the post office employees.

I would say go with USPS. It's the cheapest I have found, with UPS being the most expensive in my area. But you can cut the cost down if you use an old box or make your own container for them. Then all you have to pay is the shipping cost, which is based on weight.

[lyonsgirl]

Thanks, everyone! I think a trip to the post office is definitely in order for me soon. I might try to see if they can tell me how much it would cost to mail the stuff I want before I decide which method to use... or I'll see if I can find a scale on my own

[Moon]

I just sent a box of salt water taffies to Finland, I believe it was a 1 pound box, and it cost me something like $16. That really is as good as it gets, like Dezface said. Go to the post office, if it's not busy, they'll help you send it the cheapest way and with the customs forms, and the rates seem to never match what's on the website though The small flat rate box should fit your Hershey's Kisses. UPS will definitely be more expensive, as will FedEx.

[redapple]

I'm glad somebody else started this thread as I didn't have a clue either!

[Benni]

Go to the post office, if it's not busy, they'll help you send it the cheapest way and with the customs forms.....

Custom forms? I mailed a small manila envelope with a folded top of mine (something with my smell on it for him) and they didn't say anything about customs. ??

[Moon]

Custom forms? I mailed a small manila envelope with a folded top of mine (something with my smell on it for him) and they didn't say anything about customs. ??

Yep, custom forms. Anything other than a letter or card requires it, when you ship internationally, at least as far as I know. Here's info from the Canadian Postal Service https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/p.../menu-eng.html

**Canadians, please correct me if I'm wrong

[Benni]

Oh! She did ask me all that! Ok, thanks!!

[Xanahtas]

Yep, custom forms. Anything other than a letter or card requires it, when you ship internationally, at least as far as I know. Here's info from the Canadian Postal Service https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/p.../menu-eng.html

**Canadians, please correct me if I'm wrong

Yeah thats right - I have to do them when i send things to my SO, and he does too. It's a little sticker thing they stick onto the parcel that just asks what it is, how much it is etc. If you went to a post office they should have given you something to fill out.

[Benni]

If you went to a post office they should have given you something to fill out.

She just asked me a bunch of questions and filled in the answers on some form. I didn't have to fill it out myself. Gosh, I hope she didn't mess up -- this was 2 weeks ago and he hasn't gotten it yet but he said it could take a long time to arrive.