Sometimes USPS looses items on international shipments. I'd say close to 1...2% chance.
USPS SHIPPING OVERSEAS
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to write a few words for all of you who are thinking whether to sell/ship overseas.
I have just bought a UMC-200 from a user who has been kind enough to ship it to Madrid-Spain. While the estimated cost was more than $300 using FedEx, USPS quoted $125 including insurance for $500 value. In fact, USPS matched the delivery date, and the delays afterwards were due to local customs/postal service err on the documents numbers.
Anyway, the important thing is that it arrived perfectly, except for a knock on the exterior box, hence the importance of double boxing. It took from march 8th to march 15th (seven days, quite nice).
So, my advice, is:
1. Yes, you can use USPS priority mail to ship overseas. It will travel by plane.
2. Make sure your customer is aware of customs regulations. I knew in advance I would have to pay VAT+Customs. That will be valid for all European countries in the EU. If they fail to do their duty, there is a chance you get your item back. So, be sure to keep track of crossed mails, etc, to avoid Paypal claims.
3. Use double boxing! And, of course, use the insurance for a fair value. Avoiding costs this way may prove a bad idea.
I want also to thank the user @hmthtrnut who has been kind enough to ship my (brand new) Emotiva UMC-200.
Cheers.
I just wanted to write a few words for all of you who are thinking whether to sell/ship overseas.
I have just bought a UMC-200 from a user who has been kind enough to ship it to Madrid-Spain. While the estimated cost was more than $300 using FedEx, USPS quoted $125 including insurance for $500 value. In fact, USPS matched the delivery date, and the delays afterwards were due to local customs/postal service err on the documents numbers.
Anyway, the important thing is that it arrived perfectly, except for a knock on the exterior box, hence the importance of double boxing. It took from march 8th to march 15th (seven days, quite nice).
So, my advice, is:
1. Yes, you can use USPS priority mail to ship overseas. It will travel by plane.
2. Make sure your customer is aware of customs regulations. I knew in advance I would have to pay VAT+Customs. That will be valid for all European countries in the EU. If they fail to do their duty, there is a chance you get your item back. So, be sure to keep track of crossed mails, etc, to avoid Paypal claims.
3. Use double boxing! And, of course, use the insurance for a fair value. Avoiding costs this way may prove a bad idea.
I want also to thank the user @hmthtrnut who has been kind enough to ship my (brand new) Emotiva UMC-200.
Cheers.
9 responses Add your response
czarivey2,521 posts03-22-2016 2:27pmSometimes USPS looses items on international shipments. I'd say close to 1...2% chance. So what company has a ZERO% losing an item or 100% tracking record? |
Less-likely even UPS will damage cables. UPS is OK for paper towels, wires, hockey pucks. Those won’t be damaged. I would think twice before shipping with UPS soccer ball or any clothes. Had seen them being pierced with sharp object and permanently damaged. I’d say loss rate of UPS is variable: On non damageable items it’s close to 0, but on items with even small degree of being damaged, it’s high. On items such as turntables, players, amps and even car rims the probability of loss is actually 50/50. |