Global shipping question

[dld2900]

I have an offer from a person in Finland on an item and can easily be shipped by me using USPS.  Are there any advantages in going thru the global shipping program?  Am I more protected?  Is there additional cost for my buyer?  I do think the less an item is handled the better chance it has to arrive safely.

thanks for any input you might have

[chung-lee-2]

If you ship an item with GSP it will be handled , man handled , miss handled , repacked and reshipped , or lost , your decision .

[dld2900]

thanks for the reply and your input

[lintbrush* · Accepted solution]

It depends on the item and shipping weight.

The GSP is NOT a good fit for lightweight, low cost items.

It can be a good fit for high priced and/or heavy items.

With the GSP, your responsibility for international delivery ends once the item is delivered safely to Kentucky.  If it's lost or damaged on the international leg, Pitney Bowes is responsible.

The do have great rates with shippers that often beat the pants off of any rate I can get for USPS Priority, FedEx or UPS.  However, it cannot often compare with under 2 lb USPS First Class International rates.

If due, the buyer will be required to pay upfront for customs/import fees.  Again, depending on the value of the item, this can be very beneficial.  If the item you're selling is of substantial value and will be stopped by the buyer's customs office regardless and held for payment of said fees, a disreputable buyer could open an Item Not Received claim and try to get their money back for lack of delivery - and if they do, run and get their item from Customs before it gets sent back.  

[dld2900]

Thank you ...that was the info I was looking for.  Want to be protected as it is a small but somewhat pricey item