A few custom questions

[BethyVic]

I am involved in several holiday swaps this season and I am sending two packages internationally.  When sending to another country: 1.  Do I need to specify every gift included on the customs form? 2.  Are packing peanuts an acceptable form of padding?  Thank you!

[Mkia]

1. Technically yes. They say you should be as specific as possible on the customs form. But theres usually like four lines...so that can make it difficult. For example on my sock swap, I put "socks", "candy", and "stickers" on the customs form even though there are other things there. I've never had an issue with customs. I think they just want a general idea of what you're sending.

2. As far as I'm aware, yes, packing peanuts are okay. I always use bubble wrap or tissue paper.

[BethyVic]

Thank you mkia9!  I was just a little nervous because I want to make sure my partners get their packages quickly and safely. 

[Mkia]

Thank you mkia9!  I was just a little nervous because I want to make sure my partners get their packages quickly and safely.

I understand! International shipping can be a real pain! Especially when it can cost ridiculous amounts!

My sock swap package cost more to ship than the budget for the swap!

[Honeycomb]

My sock swap package cost more to ship than the budget for the swap!

Mine too. The shipping cost more than the contents are worth (price-wise).

[Mkia]

My sock swap package cost more to ship than the budget for the swap!

Mine too. The shipping cost more than the contents are worth (price-wise).

Well I overspent on that swap lol. So my shipping cost about the same as the box, but still! International shipping 

[Ringlets]

The simple answers to your questions are yes and yes  you got some good advice from Mkia on how to fill in the customs form if there isn't enough room for everything on there too   (thanks hun )
Its such a shame its so expensive to ship swap boxes internationally now though isn't it?   still..its fun to do swaps. If you cant afford international shipping at any time but you can afford the swap ,  you can always request if you can have a partner in the same country

[BethyVic]

I asked to have an international partner, because I wanted to send an receive things that I am not used to.  I shipped my non-international package yesterday and got the custom forms for my international ones.   When I asked about tracking and delivery confirmation for my international packages, they said those don't exist for overseas packages.  Is that really true?  I wasn't sure if the person I talked to was correct or if they were just confused. 

[LadyMoondancer]

I asked to have an international partner, because I wanted to send an receive things that I am not used to.  I shipped my non-international package yesterday and got the custom forms for my international ones.   When I asked about tracking and delivery confirmation for my international packages, they said those don't exist for overseas packages.  Is that really true?  I wasn't sure if the person I talked to was correct or if they were just confused. 

If you send by the cheapest method, there's no insurance or tracking.  I think there is insurance if you use Priority International.  (Not sure if that includes tracking.)

But Priority International is really expensive.

[Stormness_1]

Some countries claim that you can get international tracking, but it really depends on the country you're shipping to, and whether or not they track the packages. Australia errs on the side of caution and says no, but has a special rate to certain countries that definitely track, but it's waaay expensive. We only get one line on our customs forms, so swap boxes are super fun to fill out forms for haha! I usually just tell my post office lady what's in the box, and she'll tell me the most relevant thing to put on there, like for a swap box we'll put toys/lollies or something like that, even though there's stationery, souvenirs, bath products, clothing, and other stuff possibly in the box!

[cassstorm]

I asked to have an international partner, because I wanted to send an receive things that I am not used to.  I shipped my non-international package yesterday and got the custom forms for my international ones.   When I asked about tracking and delivery confirmation for my international packages, they said those don't exist for overseas packages.  Is that really true?  I wasn't sure if the person I talked to was correct or if they were just confused.

If u print your own postage you can get free international tracking, some post offices still do not offer it :-(