First Class International Shipping increase

[bjsports777]

Hey guys, anybody else notice that First Class International Shipping to Canada just more than doubled today to over $6 for a 2oz item? I knew that rates were going up but didn't think they would double!

Anybody else see the same thing?

[howethegreat]

isn't that for a first class package?

Get stamps.com I saw the postage increase and its $2.25 for a 2 ounce first class envelope.

[natbornkiller]

good lord this is nuts
who is going to pay $7 shipping for a 3 buck card

[dashcounter]

are you serious? maybe you selected a different option or something?

[hotbox]

Oh boy. I have to ship something to Hungary. I don't want to know how much it will cost me.

[gatordeve86]

Oh boy. I have to ship something to Hungary. I don't want to know how much it will cost me.

yea i was slacking on shipping something to italy and when i priced shipping with insurance a couple days ago it was 18.37... today same shipping without insurance is $24

[howethegreat]

I used to sell bulk autos/gu on ebay and sometimes it would cost $9+ to ship 6 or more ounces to ship to eastern europe or australia, glad I got out of it before the increase

[rojallad]

its legit, I just shipped something to Slovakia for $6.16 2oz.

[Kilomonster]

Just checked on USPS.com and sure enough.

It's now $6.55 to ship a 2 oz. bubble envelope to Canada.

With the cost of supplies and shipping fees, it will cost +/- $8.00 to ship to Canada.

[bjsports777]

I immediately disabled International shipping from my items this morning once I found this out but considering going to calculated shipping + small handling fee. Don't imagine I will get many international sales. Needless to say, doubling the price is extreme and shocking. Leads me to believe USPS wants to minimize their International shipping going forward since this will severely reduce the amount of people who use USPS to ship internationally. This sucks - I just got into buying hockey cards again after a long long time.

What's everybody else doing?

[MrSnyder]

Ah yes, BUT if you ship it in a LARGE ENVELOPE it is UNDER $3!


First-Class Mail® International Large Envelope**More info about First-Class Mail® International Large Envelope**
Maximum Value for Contents: $400.00
Max. length 15", height 12" or thickness 3/4"
Varies by destination
$2.65

Not available

[bjsports777]

Ah yes, BUT if you ship it in a LARGE ENVELOPE it is UNDER $3!


First-Class Mail® International Large Envelope**More info about First-Class Mail® International Large Envelope**
Maximum Value for Contents: $400.00
Max. length 15", height 12" or thickness 3/4"
Varies by destination
$2.65

Not available

Bubble mailers are considered packages and not envelopes. If you tried to ship a bubble mailer using Envelope shipping chances are the Post Office will charge the receiver extra in order to receive the item. Even if you shipped in a PWE the post office can deem your envelope to be "rigid" and ship under the package designation.

[223]

I quit shipping outside the US months ago.

[howethegreat]

its legit, I just shipped something to Slovakia for $6.16 2oz.

that is crazy, but as long as the buyer wants to pay for it no biggie

[hairysasquatch]

I immediately disabled International shipping from my items this morning once I found this out but considering going to calculated shipping + small handling fee. Don't imagine I will get many international sales. Needless to say, doubling the price is extreme and shocking. Leads me to believe USPS wants to minimize their International shipping going forward since this will severely reduce the amount of people who use USPS to ship internationally. This sucks - I just got into buying hockey cards again after a long long time.

What's everybody else doing?

I have gone back and forth with international shipping over the past coulple of years because I list a decent amount of hockey but most of it is low-end (team sets, base pick lots, etc.) but this is the end for the foreseeable future - no one is going to pay those shipping charges. I did the same thing you did - disabled int'l shipping and will not get back into it again.

[chezball]

Bubble mailers are considered packages and not envelopes. If you tried to ship a bubble mailer using Envelope shipping chances are the Post Office will charge the receiver extra in order to receive the item. Even if you shipped in a PWE the post office can deem your envelope to be "rigid" and ship under the package designation.

NOT TRUE,if the bubble mailer is less than 3/4 inch thick you ship it under large international envelope.I've been doing it way for years.It looks like they eliminated this option.

[rippit]

I list mostly hockey and this will kill my sales. I left the international option open on the theory that if someone wants to pay the shipping costs then why not sell to them? If there is a bright side, delivery confirmation is now included on first class packages to Canada, so if you're shipping a high-end card you don't have to pay $20 for registered mail any more.

[howethegreat]

I list mostly hockey and this will kill my sales. I left the international option open on the theory that if someone wants to pay the shipping costs then why not sell to them? If there is a bright side, delivery confirmation is now included on first class packages to Canada, so if you're shipping a high-end card you don't have to pay $20 for registered mail any more.

is it full delivery confirmation with tracking showing when it left the country to the person's doorstep or is it the one that shows only when it left the country?

[rippit]

is it full delivery confirmation with tracking showing when it left the country to the person's doorstep or is it the one that shows only when it left the country?

Supposedly full DC - here's the link:

Sellers: Important USPS® updates in effect January 27?price changes, additional FREE international insurance, more | eBay Announcement Page (http://announcements.ebay.com/2013/01/sellers-important-usps-updates-in-effect-january-27-price-changes-additional-free-international-insurance-more/)

See the third bullet point

[chezball]

I list mostly hockey and this will kill my sales. I left the international option open on the theory that if someone wants to pay the shipping costs then why not sell to them? If there is a bright side, delivery confirmation is now included on first class packages to Canada, so if you're shipping a high-end card you don't have to pay $20 for registered mail any more.

The high end cards will sell,you won't have to worry about it getting lost.The tracking was always an issue sending cards to Canada.

[bjsports777]

Nice to see delivery confirmation added. Wonder if that's the feature that drove the price up.

On a related note - I did the paypal shipping for a few international orders yesterday and the money was never deducted from my Paypal acct. Shipping was deducted for domestic shipping but not the International. Anyone else notice the same thing? Guessing they just had a glitch and will be deducted at some point today.

[gamboooler]

Someone who is not as lazy as me needs to find out if the new DC added to international shipments is sufficient for seller protection status through PayPal.

[bjsports777]

Someone who is not as lazy as me needs to find out if the new DC added to international shipments is sufficient for seller protection status through PayPal.

If it is sufficient it would KILL eBay's new Global Shipping program

[chezball]

Hey guys, anybody else notice that First Class International Shipping to Canada just more than doubled today to over $6 for a 2oz item? I knew that rates were going up but didn't think they would double!

Anybody else see the same thing?

Please read cafefully.I went to my PO and took a bubble mailer with me.
The exact size was 6 1/16 in. x 9 1/2 and less than 3/4 of an inch thick.
It can be a little longer,but must not be more than the 6 1/16.
For 2 oz. it was $1.55.In a couple of days I'll see what 3 oz is.
They actually have a gauge that they can put the mailer to.
Hope this clears up the confusion. The women on Beckett has totally wrong info.

[howethegreat]

this amazed me. I purchased something from china and paid $3 for shipping and got this type of tracking-
China Post
Status:ACCEPTEDIN TRANSITDELIVERED
Delivered
2013-01-17, 11:54:00, AMES, IA 50014

Arrival at Unit
2013-01-17, 07:30:00, AMES, IA 50010

Processed through USPS Sort Facility
2013-01-17, 00:35:00, DES MOINES, IA 50395

Depart USPS Sort Facility
2013-01-17, 00:00:00, DES MOINES, IA 50395

Processed through USPS Sort Facility
2013-01-13, 14:39:00, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94128

Processed Through Sort Facility
2013-01-13, 04:49:00, ISC SAN FRANCISCO (USPS)

Depart USPS Sort Facility
2013-01-13, 00:00:00, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94128

Origin Post is Preparing Shipment
Processed Through Sort Facility
2013-01-05, 15:41:00, GUANGZHOU

Acceptance
2013-01-04, 21:27:00


is this what this new delivery confirmation to canada would be like?

[allhockey]

I am in utter and complete shock, I just paid $6.55usd for a single card in a bubble mailer wieghting .06 oz to go to Canada, this kills my business, looks like I will planning an exit strategy as I will be forced to get out of the business on the USPS' terms and not mine. Unless I can establish a workaround, I'll try and we will see, not my ideal scenerio.........more work on my end.........ugh........

I could go "political" and not "postal" here but I'll pass............:devil:

[chezball]

I am in utter and complete shock, I just paid $6.55usd for a single card in a bubble mailer wieghting .06 oz to go to Canada, this kills my business, looks like I will planning an exit strategy as I will be forced to get out of the business on the USPS' terms and not mine. Unless I can establish a workaround, I'll try and we will see, not my ideal scenerio.........more work on my end.........ugh........

I could go "political" and not "postal" here but I'll pass............:devil:

You got ripped off,it's $1.55.READ MY EARLIER POST.

[allhockey]

You got ripped off,it's $1.55.READ MY EARLIER POST.

I have actually felt that I have been getting ripped off at the PO for years now, ever since the last increase so I am not at all suprised. I see what you said so we will see. I will need to go speak with them.

[chezball]

I have actually felt that I have been getting ripped off at the PO for years now, ever since the last increase so I am not at all suprised. I see what you said so we will see. I will need to go speak with them.

Half the people there don't know the rules,even before the the rate increase I had to fight with them.Large international envelope.The 6 x 9's should do the trick.

[bogeyfreeround]

Half the people there don't know the rules,even before the the rate increase I had to fight with them.Large international envelope.The 6 x 9's should do the trick.

My p.o. will charge for parcel even if it is not thick. As long it has padding or bubble mailer, its going out for the $6.55 price.

[rippit]

It sounds like it all depends on how diligent the workers are at your local post office.

[bogeyfreeround]

Do you guys think the price will go down in march?
"•Parcel Post® will no longer be available for purchase through eBay Labels as of January 27. A replacement service akin to Parcel Post will be available via eBay Labels in March."

[rippit]

Do you guys think the price will go down in march?
"•Parcel Post® will no longer be available for purchase through eBay Labels as of January 27. A replacement service akin to Parcel Post will be available via eBay Labels in March."

Not likely - I can't see the USPS actually LOWERING prices.

[chezball]

My p.o. will charge for parcel even if it is not thick. As long it has padding or bubble mailer, its going out for the $6.55 price.

Don't know what to tell you guys,if it fits through the whole that the gauge has and 6 x 9,it's less than $3.00.There's also four blue corners that if the mailer is smaller than the blue corners you get the cheaper rate.This is my last post on this !!!!

[chezball]

It sounds like it all depends on how diligent the workers are at your local post office.

Just tell them to get the GAUGE !!!!!

[allhockey]

Just tell them to get the GAUGE !!!!!

I have to do this, I am going to meet with the facility manager and see what I can do, the PO always hits me with the max, especially recently. I have been frustrated on many occasions with the shipping costs to CA.

[Johnnycoldcuts]

Chezball is right. There may be an out here for us card sellers. I put in "Large Envelope" for "2oz" (single card is right around 1.10 oz. with bubble mailer). This is what popped up on shipping calculator on usps.com:

International Price Calculator (http://ircalc.usps.com/MailServices.aspx?country=10054&m=2&p=0&o=2)

See bottom detals and price under "First-Class Mail® International Large Envelope"

[chezball]

Chezball is right. There may be an out here for us card sellers. I put in "Large Envelope" for "2oz" (single card is right around 1.10 oz. with bubble mailer). This is what popped up on shipping calculator on usps.com:

International Price Calculator (http://ircalc.usps.com/MailServices.aspx?country=10054&m=2&p=0&o=2)

See bottom detals and price under "First-Class Mail® International Large Envelope"

see,told you guys.So how much is 3 oz and 4 oz?

[223]

It sounds like it all depends on how diligent the workers are at your local post office.

This. Eventually the powers that be will start coming down on those who aren't charging the correct prices.

[rippit]

Chezball is right. There may be an out here for us card sellers. I put in "Large Envelope" for "2oz" (single card is right around 1.10 oz. with bubble mailer). This is what popped up on shipping calculator on usps.com:

International Price Calculator (http://ircalc.usps.com/MailServices.aspx?country=10054&m=2&p=0&o=2)

See bottom detals and price under "First-Class Mail® International Large Envelope"

If you dig a little deeper into this, it says that the envelope "must be flexible" - here's the link:

240 First-Class Mail International (http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immc2_016.htm#ep2368172)

That could mean the buyer gets a creased card. The choices aren't good - you can either risk having the card get damaged in transit (which can happen even with a bubble mailer if they try the "flex test" shown in the picture) or you charge $7.50 in shipping and no one buys your card. Which way you go depends on the value of the card and how much of a stomach you have for risk.

[hanes1111]

its simple just get a stamps.com account and put the label on yourself

[bullrat]

With PO the amount you pay really depends who the postal employee is. Slacker is good, stickler for rules bad.

From my understanding and the shock I got Monday, when shipping international if a bubble mailer is rigid it has to be shipped as a package - mailed 3 oz to Canada Monday cost $7+, Sunday would have been $3.30. With a card you want the package to be at least top loader rigid - some PO workers will hit you for rigid with a top loader and others will not. Just have to find the slacker - remember in the post office world slacker is good & stickler bad.

[speedmasterp]

I wish I would have read this beofre I listed stuff this week. There are 5 unhappy international people. Luckily prices are low enough I'll try the stamp route, but it's still annoying.

[96pavel]

oh man i have 105 cards on ebay ,,, open auction ,,,,,,,
3.50 anywhere on this planet

shoot thats gonna suck

[rippit]

oh man i have 105 cards on ebay ,,, open auction ,,,,,,,
3.50 anywhere on this planet

shoot thats gonna suck

Go in and edit anything that doesn't have a bid yet. Anything that does, cancel the bids and then edit the items.

[natbornkiller]

Question for international buyers
with the current postage rates would you mind a pwe for lower ender items ?

[Orangejello727]

With PO the amount you pay really depends who the postal employee is. Slacker is good, stickler for rules bad.

From my understanding and the shock I got Monday, when shipping international if a bubble mailer is rigid it has to be shipped as a package - mailed 3 oz to Canada Monday cost $7+, Sunday would have been $3.30. With a card you want the package to be at least top loader rigid - some PO workers will hit you for rigid with a top loader and others will not. Just have to find the slacker - remember in the post office world slacker is good & stickler bad.

You need to watch out for this comment. I happen to know exactly how to send mail with proper size by fitting them in mailers in the correct size. Because I do this the rate at which I send stuff is cheaper. But over on the basketball boards, they consider this Mail fraud and called me out on it. I think its pathetic that its considered mail fraud to pay the correct fee and not a lazy over inflated fee.

They also said I committed a crime for stating on a US customs form "Card in Plastic" because I happen to declare the sportscard a "card" and the toploader and penny sleeve a "Plastic".

Just to note to CDN buyers, you can use Xpress Post pre paid envenelopes to send small items in Canada and US. THe US porition is dependant on delcaring contents for customs.

[Orangejello727]

Question for international buyers
with the current postage rates would you mind a pwe for lower ender items ?

I have been getting some test mail from larger sellers recently from the US. They have been sending items to me in stiff "disk/CD" mailers. Seems like they can go as regular mail. They throw the toploader in there and the package does not come bent. Maybe this is what US sellers are going to do instead of using bubble mailers for 1 or 2 cards?

[bullrat]

I'm going to try an envelope tomorrow to Canada. Will let you know how it turns out.

[allhockey]

I'm going to try an envelope tomorrow to Canada. Will let you know how it turns out.

it will turn out fine just use a stronger security style envelope- available in bulk at most office supply stores (Costco is where I get mine). I wrap the plastic holder cards (inside a team bag) in a sheet of paper and secure at both ends with tape so it does not slide out. Insert into envelope. Seal and then I secure with standard clear packing tape on both sides. One or two cards fit nicely in here and the rate should be a lot lower than the $6.55.....I have done this on and off for the last 9-10 years to CA and worldwide for that matter, never had any issues, had a few guys bitch at me for a PWE but my process is hardly that. This is one of my workarounds for sure and I will clearly state in the item description that this is how single/double cards will come. Even the lower point sized jersey/hit cards should be a go this way. I really doubt the CA buyers want to be paying $7.00usd for S&H for 2/3/5/10 buck card auction wins. After I got over the shock of my Monday shipping experience I have begun to think about workarounds, this is certainly one of them, without CA and Euro buyers I am toast on fleabay. Best part of what I just described; no customs form is required thought it might be prudent to still fill one out.

Good dialogue here fellas- lots of great ideas and comments.......keep the thoughts coming.........:)!

[fullmetal]

I posted this in the basketball forum yesterday. Scroll to paragraph 2.3 - details the rigidity test that differentiates an International letter from a parcel/package. Unless you can bend it, the package is a parcel.

DMM 101 Physical Standards for Retail Letters, Flats, and Parcels (http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/101.htm#1040242)

[fullmetal]

Chezball is right. There may be an out here for us card sellers. I put in "Large Envelope" for "2oz" (single card is right around 1.10 oz. with bubble mailer). This is what popped up on shipping calculator on usps.com:

International Price Calculator (http://ircalc.usps.com/MailServices.aspx?country=10054&m=2&p=0&o=2)

See bottom detals and price under "First-Class Mail® International Large Envelope"

If it doesn't bend then you can't use this for cards. If the postal worker hands you the envelope and tells you to bend it in the middle. If you do so then they can ship as a letter.

Cheating is liable to cause your customer to pay for the difference. I pay at least once per month as a customer for sellers who don't properly post.

[fullmetal]

its simple just get a stamps.com account and put the label on yourself

Wait until the store closes and break in to steal. Don't do it during normal operating hours. Right?

[chezball]

Wait until the store closes and break in to steal. Don't do it during normal operating hours. Right?

stamp.com has a monthly fee, doesn't pay for most sellers.

[chezball]

If it doesn't bend then you can't use this for cards. If the postal worker hands you the envelope and tells you to bend it in the middle. If you do so then they can ship as a letter.

Cheating is liable to cause your customer to pay for the difference. I pay at least once per month as a customer for sellers who don't properly post.

No one ever bent my mailers,I ship to Canada.

[JOHNJOHNNY]

Chezball

we get it, you have a lazy employee look at your packages.

Some of us do not. If the person behind the counter declares it a parcel then that is it. I have seen them grab the mailer and bend it at times and then turn around and charge as a parcel. Also if you want delivery confirmation (in the old days) it had to be over a certain thickness. When it was over that thickness, it automatically went as parcel.

[chezball]

Chezball

we get it, you have a lazy employee look at your packages.

Some of us do not. If the person behind the counter declares it a parcel then that is it. I have seen them grab the mailer and bend it at times and then turn around and charge as a parcel. Also if you want delivery confirmation (in the old days) it had to be over a certain thickness. When it was over that thickness, it automatically went as parcel.
That they break balls about.They won't give you Dc if it's less than 3/4 of an inch.

[bjsports777]

That they break balls about.They won't give you Dc if it's less than 3/4 of an inch.

My post office wouldn't send mine out using the Large Envelope designation. Two of my packages wouldn't fit through their gauge so that was a no brainer but another one squeezed through but they said it was too rigid and not flexible enough. Then again, they are very strict about the DC rule too.

I still need to get confirmation from Ebay whether or not the new international delivery confirmation that's added will be sufficient to win cases where international buyers claim they did not receive their items. I imagine it will so higher end cards should, in theory, be easier to sell internationally.

[DetectiveChrome]

Question for international buyers
with the current postage rates would you mind a pwe for lower ender items ?

I wouldn't mind that. I send low end items to the US in a bubble mailer for about $2.20 2 stamps (with mailer cost, about $2.50)

[fullmetal]

My post office wouldn't send mine out using the Large Envelope designation. Two of my packages wouldn't fit through their gauge so that was a no brainer but another one squeezed through but they said it was too rigid and not flexible enough. Then again, they are very strict about the DC rule too.

I still need to get confirmation from Ebay whether or not the new international delivery confirmation that's added will be sufficient to win cases where international buyers claim they did not receive their items. I imagine it will so higher end cards should, in theory, be easier to sell internationally.

The information on eBay about the International DC states that Canada is a trial for the service and it may expand in the future.

I've mailed to Hungary, China and France this week and the form was exactly the same (only difference was price.) Same customs barcode type that shows routing from my house to US point of exit. (Miami for me)

Has anyone shipped to Canada this week? Did the form look different? Or does the customs barcode online information continue after leaving the point of exit?

[bullrat]

Shipped a relic card to Canada for $1.10 today. Used a get well card and put the card w/ top loader in the middle of a piece of card board inside the get well card.

Probably just got the right clerk, but knowing what clerk at the PO to deal with is important.