International Shipping

Tip #1 Don't use UPS for overseas shipments. The USPS is your best choice. They have several shipping options available for shipping overseas. Some of them can't be insured. As far as forms go that's a piece of cake. There are 2 different customs forms and both are easy to fill out. You can get all the information on them at your local post office. You can go to the USPS Index of Countries and Localities click on countries to get more information on shipping requirements.

If you take the item to your post office, they will give you a little green form for items under 4 pounds (PS Form 2976). It is fairly simple to fill out. Remember to be accurate on the form like "child's dress $10.00", not something like "retail items $10.00". Something like that increases the chance of customs opening the box and the risk of something getting lost or damaged. These can also be ordered from http://www.USPS.com

If you use Pay Pal shipping and you want to use Global Priority mail, you can print everything you need right there. Global priority mail has a flat rate envelope that ships pretty cheap or USPS does provide boxes and envelopes too. You can have these materials shipped directly to your location. http://www.USPS.com

Economy post is the "slowest way" to ship anything international and hase a bigger chance of getting lost. I will usually only ship Airmail or Global Priority mail. UPS is one of the most expensive ways to ship internationally and they tend to overcharge your customers on taxes and fees.

Make sure you put in your listings to have customers contact you prior to buying for a shipping quote, as each country is priced differently.

Use U-Pic for insuring your international packages as they are easier to deal with when making a claim. I require all of my international buyers to pay insurance.

Disclaimer for International Buyers:

Orders outside the US may be subject to import duties & taxes, levied once a shipment reaches your country/region. Additional charges for customs clearance must be borne by you; we have no control over these charges and cannot begin to predict what they may be. Customs policies vary widely from country/region to country/region; you should contact your local customs office for further information. Additionally, when purchasing from me, you are considered the importer of record and must comply with all laws and regulations of the country/region in which you are receiving the goods.