International Shipping advice needed!

[Wendy523]

I have a customer who would like me to ship some items to Singapore. I have not ever done international shipping so am a little lost.

I took a package of similar size and weight to the post office to try to figure it all out. The Postal Clerk wasn't super helpful. Here is what I learned, but I still have quesitons...

to ship the package first class it will cost $8.65. There is no delivery confirmation or insurance available with this option.

to ship Priority Mail, it will cost $18.50. Insurance would be available for this option (but I forgot to ask how much).

I typically ship all my items in the USA first class with delivery confirmation (unless it costs as much as priority mail, then I upgrade). I insure packages that cost more than a few dollars (my items are not expensive, just labor intensive).

I can't imagine the buyer will want to pay $18.50 on top of the $50 order. But I am nervous to send it first class without any insurance or confirmation.

Is the info I received from the post office correct? Is there a better way to do this? What would you do?

Oh, and btw, this is the lady who wanted a discount for multiple items, she has now upped the order to a point that I don't mind a small discount

Thank you for reading this far and for any help you can provide!

(I also posted in the Etsy forums)

[specialhome]

That is high shipping! I don't know what to tell you. I have only shipped to Australia and it only costed around $2.00. I didn't even think about insuring it, it was a friend that I sent it to.

[Wendy523]

I ship in a box, so I'm sure that is why it is higher. My biggest dilema is that I can't insure it first class. What if it gets lost?? She could go through paypal to get her money back and I'd be out all the time and effort it takes to make them plus shipping cost. That's why I usually insure a larger order like this one.

[Claire]

I'm sure she is used to the cost of shipping. I would offer her the choice, but let her know that if she chooses not to get the priority, then you have no control once the package leaves your hands. For her peace of mind, you could send her a scan of the receipt showing that you did indeed send the package.

[Wendy523]

That's a good idea claire. Someone on Etsy said I could purchase a "certificate of mailing". That would make me feel better. I could then prove to paypal it was shipped if it got lost somehow.

[bnbmom]

Here is a chart that I use for international shipping to determine the cost. This is just for first class and no you cannot get delivery confirmation on first class. Tom's International Rate Chart . I have only shipped to US and Canada. I shipped first class and did not have any problems. Don't forget to fill out a customs form too.

[Amber427]

I would like to know this info too. My itty bitty post office (our here in the boondocks) still uses manual postage things.. and they never know what to do when I need to ship to Canada! So- it's good to read up on this stuff first.

While questions are being answered- if shipping to these places- do you have to fill out the customs forms like you do with Canada?

[Wendy523]

You do need to fill out that green form, my postal clerk gave me one to take home.

[cynthia]

Don't forget, the Green Form is only for up to certain weight. The White Form will be needed if the box/package over that certain weight.