International Shipping

[blastman]

I have a handful of high end cards I'm looking to sell and I'm considering opening up the bidding to the world. I've shipping things overseas before without issue, but nothing with the kind of value these cards have.

What's the best way to cover my ass with shipping? Especially to China.

I typically ship through USPS, but are there any more benefits to using FedEx or UPS?

[mswift69]

express mail fully insured and fully declared on customs the only way to protect yourself

[khouzza]

I'm from Australia and send international all the time, no matter the value of the card/s I send with tracking and signature when received only costs a few extra bucks, if the value is high (only you can determine what value you are comfortable with) then get insurance. These 3 things will cover you and the buyer if anything goes wrong. Tracking so both sides can keep an eye on the package, signature so you have proof he/she received it and insurance on high end cards goes without saying.

Good luck with your sales

[blastman]

On the customs forms, what does everyone typically write down as the contents?

I would imagine giving a generic answer would be better than putting Michael Jordan Autograph or something.

[xavieronly1]

On the customs forms, what does everyone typically write down as the contents?

I would imagine giving a generic answer would be better than putting Michael Jordan Autograph or something.

You are not suppose to lie on the custom form. Declare the full value.

[blastman]

I'm not insinuating that I want to lie on customs forms.

I'm saying I would feel more comfortable stating on the customs form that there's a 'trading card' or 'sports memorabilia' in the package and not a 24k solid gold penny hardaway nutsack replica. Why should I give someone the incentive to pocket my package by declaring something more specifically than I have to?

[blastman]

I received a bubble mailer from China one time that declared 'paper matter' as the declaration.

[WillC]

I've filled in perhaps a thousand customs forms over the last 2 or 3 years. Every time, I write 'trading card' as the item description. If it is in a heavy magnetic one-touch holder, then I write 'trading card and plastic holder'.

[suki24]

If you want that extra 20-30% extra from overseas, go ahead for it. I don't bother with it, because I've done it before and not it's worth my time with all the potential Asian scammers.

[blastman]

I've filled in perhaps a thousand customs forms over the last 2 or 3 years. Every time, I write 'trading card' as the item description. If it is in a heavy magnetic one-touch holder, then I write 'trading card and plastic holder'.

This is the answer I'm looking for. Thank you. I understand international buyers probably have to pay tax on declared items and that's really not my problem. That's just something they already need to accept when making a purchase. I'm not going to lie for them and get ripped off in the process.

[Kingbudd]

I usually put cardboard picture. Never had a problem yet.

[sreg0r]

Different countries have different import policies. In Australia you're generally safe as there are no import duties on items <$1000.

I know myself and plenty of the members on OZCT rarely have an issue with US > Aus postage. I'd be a lot more careful posting to China though as there appears to be many items that go "missing" en route.

[Knight]

You are not suppose to lie on the custom form. Declare the full value.

I put "Sport Card" myself. I never put the name of the player.