Help with posting overseas to USA, what postage class/method to use & appox cost

[mylittleponylover92]

Hi pony people,

Just another quick question! I am in the midst of sorting out a trade with a fellow arena member in America and I'm in the UK.

We are both new to posting internationally! So was hoping to get some useful advice from more experienced members!

We are both shipping 1 G1 pony to one another

What is the best method to use and how much is each method?

Any advice and recommendations most welcome!
Please help us!

Thank you

[ponylady]

What is the weight of the item you are shipping? It honestly is going to make a big difference in your costs or on which method you choose depending on the size of the item.

And where are you shipping from and to?

[mylittleponylover92]

What is the weight of the item you are shipping? It honestly is going to make a big difference in your costs or on which method you choose depending on the size of the item.

And where are you shipping from and to?

Its one G1 adult pony, I'm in England and shipping to the Chicago area.

Sorry I should of put that in the first post!

[ponylady]

I can certainly help on the side of shipping from the US to England.  But someone else from near you will have to help on that side. I am not overly familiar with shipping prices or mail options out of your country.

An adult pony weighs approx. 4ozs  It can be sent First Class in a Bubble Mailer for around $9.45.  There is also other options at this weight but oviously more pricey, here are a few:

Priority Mail International Padded Flat Rate Envelope $23.95
Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Envelope $23.95
Priority Mail International (you use your own packing materials) $42.00

I suggest to your trading partner to review her options here:

http://ircalc.usps.com/?country=10142

She can enter the country and weight to get a better idea of how she may want to send it.

[FantasticFirefly]

It also depends on value. a $15 pony neither of you need right away may be fine to with a basic surface method, but something valuable or rare you each may want to insure & track. Or, if either of you would like your items faster, then that would be another case where air or express methods would be better suited to the trade. One last bit, even though there is no money exchanging hands, you may have to pay customs on the value of the pony you are sent.

[kissa]

Have a look at the Royal Mail website, the price finder section. You can put in the weight and value of your parcel and it gives you all the options and prices. To send to US you need a customs sticker which you can get from the Post Office.  Normal airmail is  £3.86, signed for is £9.01 and Airsure (tracked) is £9.26. I sell on ebay  and have never had any problems with cheapest airmail!  Hope that helps! 

[mylittleponylover92]

Have a look at the Royal Mail website, the price finder section. You can put in the weight and value of your parcel and it gives you all the options and prices. To send to US you need a customs sticker which you can get from the Post Office.  Normal airmail is  £3.86, signed for is £9.01 and Airsure (tracked) is £9.26. I sell on ebay  and have never had any problems with cheapest airmail!  Hope that helps! 

Brilliant thank you! Do you know how long they take to be delivered?

I'll ask at the post office for a sticker I wasnt sure if I need one! When I looked at the R.Mail website it said exactly what you did! Thank you 

[Ringlets]

It looks like you got most of your answers already
   when you go to the PO you can pick up a price list too , and ask them for some customs stickers- that way if you're going to be doing more international trades/sales etc , you wont have to keep going to the Royal Mail website to check  prices (as long as you have kitchen scales to weigh your items )
Normal Airmail times to reach the US from the Uk vary a lot depending on time of year, weather, where in the US you are sending your pony etc . I've had items arrive in as little as 3 days, but often its 2, 3, or 4 weeks before the item gets there.   

The customs sticker in the UK is really easy to fill out. All you have to do it tick a box on the top (gift, commercial, other, etc )- for a trade like this I tick the "gift" box. Then in the item description box put "1 x loose plastic toy "  and then at the side of that there is a box to write the value.  After that, sign and date the bottom and you're ready to post it

[mylittleponylover92]

It looks like you got most of your answers already
   when you go to the PO you can pick up a price list too , and ask them for some customs stickers- that way if you're going to be doing more international trades/sales etc , you wont have to keep going to the Royal Mail website to check  prices (as long as you have kitchen scales to weigh your items )
Normal Airmail times to reach the US from the Uk vary a lot depending on time of year, weather, where in the US you are sending your pony etc . I've had items arrive in as little as 3 days, but often its 2, 3, or 4 weeks before the item gets there.   

The customs sticker in the UK is really easy to fill out. All you have to do it tick a box on the top (gift, commercial, other, etc )- for a trade like this I tick the "gift" box. Then in the item description box put "1 x loose plastic toy "  and then at the side of that there is a box to write the value.  After that, sign and date the bottom and you're ready to post it

Brilliant thank you so much! That so helpful! I worry a lot about these things you see!

[Ringlets]

you're welcome - I'm glad i could help