First Class International using #2 Bubble Envelope

[envythisstuff]

I have not sold anything international in a while. I've been on and off eBay for many years and when I restarted again for this last go through I had limited stuff so just kept it domestic, it was going to sell anyway. So now that things are continuing to move along, I'm going to start allowing international orders again.

For now, most of my stuff fits into #000 to #10 bubble envelopes, with, let's say, most of it being in #2 bubble envelopes. Usually it's not over 16 ounces. The items are not documents, but small clothing, small electronics, etc.

So I mocked up something on usps.com (2 ounces to the UK) and the choices seemed ambiguous as to which envelope/package size to pick and so I got rates from I think it was $2.32 to $13.50. I mocked it up on eBay too and did get much other clarify. I then looked at the postal rate document and well maybe I'm just dense as I got confused (years since I looked at that as well).

So I brought it to two post offices and they told me two different things. One insisted since it was not a normal letter envelope and furthermore than it wasn't about documents that the lowest it could be is $13.50. Brought it to another post office and they said "it depends" rambled a bunch of stuff and I figured I'm not going to get clarity here, so I left.

So, what would First Class International to the from NYC to the UK be for say a #2 bubble envelope containing 2 ounces of something, let's say a makeup brush?  TIA.

[sam9876]

How much does the package weigh?

[envythisstuff]

Let's say 2 ounces.  If I could figure out one or two of the weights then I'm assuming I can figure out the rest of the chart.  So let's say 8 ounces too.

[fashiontrends2000]

Hi, $2.32 are exclusively for documents like letters called First-Class Mail International Retail Large Envelopes (Flats).
$13.50 is for First-Class Package International Service (PACKAGES) as you can see if you open the link below.

https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c341

[sam9876]

What country are you shipping to?

[envythisstuff]

"what would First Class International to the from NYC to the UK be for say a #2 bubble envelope containing 2 ounces of something, let's say a makeup brush?"

[sam9876]

How much does the package weigh?

[envythisstuff]

Well, that's the problem, I can't see that.  It refer to packages but also refers to things such as "Large Envelopes (Flats)" are those exlusively for documents too?

I did see the small print "Pieces that are rigid, nonrectangular, or not uniformly thick pay package prices." but that is only the case for some of the stuff I'll be shipping so what about the "pieces" which are not that.  Like I said, maybe I dense.

[envythisstuff]

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@sam9876 wrote:

How much does the package weigh?

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"what would First Class International to the from NYC to the UK be for say a #2 bubble envelope containing 2 ounces of something, let's say a makeup brush?"

[sam9876]

You say that the package contains two ounces of something, but we don't know how much the actual packaging materials weigh, so we can't calculate a cost.

[envythisstuff]

It doesn't matter.  I'm just trying to figure out what chart to look at.  Let's just say the contents and the envelope together are 2 ounces.  Using the "First-Class Package International Service" "Retail Packages" table would indicate $13.50, right?  If it were 3 pounds it would indicate $34.50, right?

And instead of going to the UK if it went to Agentina it would be $13.00 for 2 ounces and $31 for 3 pounds, right?

Now if instead of a bubble envelope I used a flat envelops that would indicate using the "First-Class Mail International" "Retail Large Envelopes (Flats)" chart, but I can't determine where it says those must be documents only.  Please advise.

And also from what I can see this is talking about retail numbers, and not commercial and/or TRS+ rates for a similar package.  Is that not offer for international?

[sam9876]

The UK is price group 5.  You are shipping a package.

A package that weighs 8 ounces or less is $13.50.

There isn't a commercial rate for international shipping.

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Flats aka large envelopes are intended for documents or other paper goods such as pamphlets, brochures, maybe a thin catalog or magazine.  Maximum weight is 13 oz. domestic and 64 oz. international.  The envelope must measure a minimum of 6-1/8 inches wide OR 11-1/2 inches long and the envelope must be flexible.  (It can be folded, rolled, bent, creased, squished and generally mangled.)  Maximum thickness is 3/4 inch.  The contents cannot be rigid or lumpy -- which rules out most merchandise as well as stiffeners of any kind.  No tracking available.  No eBay or Paypal online prepaid labels available. 

First Class Package Service - International has 4 price levels and 9 Price Groups.  You can mail up to 8 oz. to the UK (PG 5) for $13.50 retail or $12.83 commercial rate.  The next weight increment is 9 oz. to 32 oz. (2 lbs.), and so on up to 4 lbs.  Tracking is included to the UK and some other countries at the commercial rate, but not at the retail rate.  You can use any size bubble envelope or a box -- but I do not recommend sending tiny packages that are easily lost or stolen.

Each country is assigned a Price Group.  UK and Western Europe is PG 5; Canada is PG 1 and Mexico is PG 2.  (The Price Groups may be different for Priority Mail.)

Bottom line:   First Class flats are not suitable for mailing merchandise -- to anywhere.  (Use them for business documents -- invoices, packing slips, advertising brochures, newspaper clippings, multi-page instructions, etc. -- when damage does not matter and they are easily replaced.)

~~C~~

[duchess-at-speakeasy]

Sam, the FCPS international commercial rate for up to 8 oz. is $12.83. https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c391 ~~C~~

[buyselljack2016]

@envythisstuff

I do not use it myself, but if you have not already done so you may want to read about the Global Shipping Program (GSP)

Not ideal for low cost items, as shipping/customs/duties paid by the buyer can be high.

Seller advantage is that the item ships domestic rate to KY.  GSP takes over from there.  GSP takes responsibility for lost, or damage items once it safely affives in KY.

Buyer Seller still responsible for "not as described" cases.