Cheapest way to ship a book overseas

[teamstandy]

Hello, a potential buyer in Australia contacted me to ask if there was a cheaper way to ship the book than the option I've offered (USPS First Class Mail International Parcel). She's willing to wait months if it can be done cheaper.

The option I offered would cost $45. I see other options are cheaper (roughly $38 for USPS Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Box or USPS Priority Mail International Padded Flat Rate Envelope). But, I have this in a cardboard box designed for books and wouldn't want to ship it in a padded envelope and I'm not exactly sure what size a "small flat rate box" would be (this book is almost 12x9x1).

Any ideas if I can do this a cheaper way (and still do it through eBay to show tracking)?

Thanks,

Andy

[disneyshopper · Accepted solution]

Your item is too large for the small flat rate box (8-5/8 x 5-3/8 x 1-5/8).

Does your cardboard box fit inside a priority flat rate padded envelope? 12-1/2 x 9-1/2 ?

There is also a tyvek priority envelope that I believe ships by weight that you might be able to slip that box into.

[jonathankirkland]

I hate to sound paranoid, but what is the value of the book itself?

If it's an expensive book, this type of request would be a big red flag for me. Unless your estimated delivery date will show that it could take months, they might be trying to trick you so that you will send it and they will open an item not received case and get it for free...

If it's not an expensive item then maybe I am wrong. Again, hate to jump to this mindset but we see so much of it that I can't help but at least consider it.

[pjcdn2005]

If it’s 2-3 lbs it should  be $40 with eBay international standard so just a bit cheaper.

It might be less than that with the gsp but you can’t add that on now, you would have to relist it with the gsp.

[teamstandy]

@disneyshopper3

I think that might be a tight fit, because that's nearly the dimensions of the "box" the book is in.

@jonathankirkland
I would be suspect too if it were an expensive item, but it's under $15 (hence the buyer's hesitation to spend around $40 for shipping).

@pjcdn2005
Thanks for your info.

If it doesn't fit in the tyvek envelope, I don't think this will happen (and I'll bet given how little the book is selling for, the buyer probably doesn't want to pay over $15 for shipping).

Thanks for all of your replies.

Andy