U.K. v USA and other countries shipping systems

[JohnBrewer]

How is shipping worked out in your country? Here in the U.K. it’s a combination of weight and parcel size, see the image. A 1kg parcel is cheaper than a 2kg parcel of the same size. 

 

Am I right in thinking that in the USA you price on parcel size only. So a small ‘flat rate’ box is the same price regardless whether it has lead or feathers inside? If this is correct can someone give sizes of boxes and prices?

[Tidgy's Dad]

In Morocco it is based on parcel weight and country of destination. Size is irrelevant. 

But they do prefer you to use their own regulation size boxes where possible.  

[Fossildude19]

Not sure about international, but here is a chart for Flat rate prices: 

 

Priority Mail _ USPS.pdf

[caldigger]

Now keep in mind the "flat rate priority boxes" are a set price for whatever you can fit in the box up to 70lbs. For the same rate no matter where in the US it goes. ( good for heavier items).

The regular priority boxes and other boxes mailed "priority mail" are subject to the weight, location, size of box restrictions as everything else.

For us fossil traders (which is basically like sending rocks), the weight factor plays a key role making the "flat rate" option more ideal. Plus it comes with tracking and $50. worth of insurance.

 

[JohnBrewer]

On 11/12/2018 at 9:24 PM, caldigger said:

Now keep in mind the "flat rate priority boxes" are a set price for whatever you can fit in the box up to 70lbs. For the same rate no matter where in the US it goes. ( good for heavier items).

The regular priority boxes and other boxes mailed "priority mail" are subject to the weight, location, size of box restrictions as everything else.

For us fossil traders (which is basically like sending rocks), the weight factor plays a key role making the "flat rate" option more ideal. Plus it comes with tracking and $50. worth of insurance.

 

 

Is there a size weigh table for international Doren?

[DPS Ammonite]

John, I have little experience with international USPS shipping. Here is their shipping cost page: https://postcalc.usps.com/?country=10440

[JohnBrewer]

20 hours ago, DPS Ammonite said:

John, I have little experience with international USPS shipping. Here is their shipping cost page: https://postcalc.usps.com/?country=10440

Great, really useful thanks, John 

[Uncle Siphuncle]

On 12/11/2018 at 3:24 PM, caldigger said:

Now keep in mind the "flat rate priority boxes" are a set price for whatever you can fit in the box up to 70lbs. For the same rate no matter where in the US it goes. ( good for heavier items).

The regular priority boxes and other boxes mailed "priority mail" are subject to the weight, location, size of box restrictions as everything else.

For us fossil traders (which is basically like sending rocks), the weight factor plays a key role making the "flat rate" option more ideal. Plus it comes with tracking and $50. worth of insurance.

 

For intl I think the flat rate small box has a weight limit of 4 lbs and the larger boxes 20 lbs.  

 

Another concern is customs.  I think if you mark contents as gift status with a description such as “rock samples for study”, life gets easier.  

 

Also, if you declare a value of 25 bucks or less, no duties are collected and fewer snags occur with customs.

 

All that said, I hate intl shipping of any kind, having experienced problems maybe 25% of the time.  Shipping within country has worked out ok, but I’d much prefer to skip all the emails, packing, labels, and expense by just handing things off in person. That’s why most of my surplus goes to nearby schools, coworkers and random local kids.

[caldigger]

10 minutes ago, Uncle Siphuncle said:

That’s why most of my surplus goes to nearby schools, coworkers and random local kids.

"Psst...hey kid, ya wanna fossil?