US Sellers: Shipping Basics--domestic & international

For shipping, you need to find out what your items weigh in packaging and then you can use the USPS shipping calculator for shipping rates if you are in the USA. There's a drop-down menu to select the country you are shipping to:

ircalc.usps.gov

If the dimensions are large there's some variation in pricing:

Domestic: ircalc.usps.gov/PopUps/pop_up16.htm
International: ircalc.usps.gov/popups/FCMI_Parcel_help.htm

Most folks use a scale at home (well worth the small investment--get them cheap on eBay) and use Paypal to print domestic shipping labels:

Shipping Through Paypal
www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2008/02/25/shipping-through-paypal-rega...


International shipping--we've got a few blog posts that might help. For help setting up your international shipping:

Getting a Handle on International Shipping
www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2008/02/21/getting-a-handle-on-internat...


and for international first class mail labels--since they aren't available through Paypal or USPS.com--use the USPS free program "Shipping Assistant":

International First-Class Mail: Print Labels From Your Computer
www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2008/02/20/international-first-class-ma...


If you print your labels with postage online (Paypal, USPS.com, endicia, stamps.com...) you can drop international packages off anywhere you can drop domestic packages off.

If you use postage stamps on your international package, and it is UNDER 13 oz, you can drop that off anywhere too.

If you use postage stamps on your international package, and it is OVER 13 oz, you must hand it off to a postal clerk:


"Domestic and international mailpieces that weigh 13 ounces or less, with postage stamps affixed, can be dropped in a blue collection box, or handed to your letter carrier. Mailpieces that weigh more than 13 ounces, with postage stamps affixed, must be handed to a Retail associate at your local Post Office."

Source: pe.usps.com/text/dmm100/sending.htm

Posted at 4:03pm Nov 30, 2008 EST