Help with shipping and tracking to China

[sarahd53]

I'm sure this question has been asked dozens of times, but unfortunately I can't seem to find updated information. I want to ship a package to China. I don't care what provider, but I would like to get a ballpark for the cheapest way that includes tracking. I occasionally sell Chinese antiques and sometimes they can sell for a lot. It looks like eBay took China out of the global shipping program, or atleast they don't cover the merchandise I am shipping. Can anyone tell me a prefered way to ship with tracking using DHL, USPS, FedEx, UPS? I thought I remember the only way to do so with USPS was priority mail international express, but I am not even sure that works anymore. Thanks for the help. 

[missjen831]

There is no cheap tracked  shipping method to China. You really should rethink shipping directly. You are on the hook for return shipping if the item is damaged during shipping. Or if the buyer says it is otherwise SNAD (and that’s still a risk when you use GSP). But since you are selling antiques, I would seriously reconsider shipping them internationally yourself.

[sarahd53]

I normally do not ship items directly by myself. I have always used the GSP, but as of recently they have stopped shipping certain items for some reason or another. Is there any other way to get the item there without having liability? Most of the time with Asian antiques, the highest bidders are from the country of origin. I have shipped before without issue, but I guess there always is the chance that the next attempt will be the bad apple. I am also not really concerned with the price. If they are willing to spend $2000 on a piece, they usually don't have a problem with $150 shipping.  I say the cheapest so I can lessen the burden for the buyer, but I know that none of them come cheap. 

[sarahd53]

One other thing is that I wouldn't accept a return of a damaged item. I would certainly insure it, and file a claim in that case. On the other hand, a SNAD is a different story. I am usually pretty thorough with pictures and description to prevent that but you never know what kind of buyer you are getting. 

[sam9876]

Ummmmm...  You don't have a choice about accepting a return on a damaged item.

[missjen831]

That’s why she said she would insure and file a claim. She wouldn’t have the buyer return the damaged item. 

[sam9876]

Why would a buyer cooperate with an insurance claim?

[sarahd53]

All I need to file a claim (with USPS) from the buyer is a picture of the good that was damaged. Coincidentally, this is also required by eBay for them to get a refund. So, I would refund the buyer, and use the pictures of the damaged good to file a claim with USPS. I only had to do this once, but it was a pretty easy process. The only downside is I had to wait about a month for the USPS to reimburse me. When I ship something valuable I overkill it with shipping and the chances of it breaking during shipping are almost non existent. I wrap it in numerous layers of bubble wrap, and put it in a box 10x its size with tons of cushioning. The only thing I need to worry about is someone not liking the item, breaking it on purpose, and then saying it broke during shipping. Most of the time the items are pretty rare, and the buyer actually wants it so this also isn't very likely. 

[sam9876]

The buyer is not required to provide a picture.

[tofu107]

yes,Chinese do want their antiques back ,they wll pay you top dollars and they sell them for top dollars in CHina.

They know what they are looking for,after all it is their antiques.

To begin with,USPS priority intl guarantee is turned over to Fed Exp,Fed Exp driver goes to  'designated' post office in late afternoon to pick up the shipment.

There is tracking but no signature.

Fed Exp ships to China,you just have to inquire.

DHL is truly global,look up INXPRESS and be a member to get some discount,you should get both tracking and signature .

DHL may be inept within USA but much more efficient than Fed Exp or UPS once outside USA.

If there is a sizable Chinatown in y our area,it may have a freight fowarder,but you need t o know your way around Chinatown to find out.

I shipped a painting once using Fed Exp,not a problem ,check his feedback,some are dealers who are making good money reselling your stuff,they would not complain about shipping.

[tofu107]

https://www.ipsparcel.com/index.cfm?ses=n

[sam9876]

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Buyer-opens-return-saying-600-item-damaged-I-ask-4-pics-ebay/m...

[freeshipusa1]

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@sarahd53 wrote:

All I need to file a claim (with USPS) from the buyer is a picture of the good that was damaged. Coincidentally, this is also required by eBay for them to get a refund. So, I would refund the buyer, and use the pictures of the damaged good to file a claim with USPS. I only had to do this once, but it was a pretty easy process. The only downside is I had to wait about a month for the USPS to reimburse me. When I ship something valuable I overkill it with shipping and the chances of it breaking during shipping are almost non existent. I wrap it in numerous layers of bubble wrap, and put it in a box 10x its size with tons of cushioning. The only thing I need to worry about is someone not liking the item, breaking it on purpose, and then saying it broke during shipping. Most of the time the items are pretty rare, and the buyer actually wants it so this also isn't very likely. 

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the last 2 claims I filed with USPS,I was asked to take the package to any   post office and show to the clerk,picture is not good enough.

Since my local post office is far away ,I took it t o a nearby one,and the clerk refused to look at the shipment and kept saying you did not ship with us,we dont want to take the blame,bla bla bla.

I think she is one of those old timers who is not familiar with ecommerce and emails.

since it is not a lot of money,I just gave up.

Now with private insurer,they can also ask you to mail them the item,if they want to look closer or suspect fraud,they offer to pay for shipping both ways