best practices for shipping ebay items overseas?

[evident]

I just sold a laptop to a guy from australia.

looks like UPS, fedex and USPS all ship there and UPS/Fedex has signature confirmation. I will most likely go with one of those for that reason. Is there anything i should look out for to cover myself and to make sure it isn't a scam? i've never shipped anything overseas before with ebay items.

 

[bargetrav]

It's a giant pain in the ass, USPS is the least pain of them all and 1/3 the cost. It'll probably be 100 dollars with insurance via USPS and 300 for Fedex or UPS.

USPS you can ship it as a "gift" to avoid filling out a shitload of forms, including providing a certificate of origin which you won't find.

 

[evident]

It's a giant pain in the ass, USPS is the least pain of them all and 1/3 the cost. It'll probably be 100 dollars with insurance via USPS and 300 for Fedex or UPS.

USPS you can ship it as a "gift" to avoid filling out a shitload of forms, including providing a certificate of origin which you won't find.

I've noticed that w/ USPS it's pretty cheap with GXG (global express guaranteed) like you said, $120 vs $250 for UPS/fedex. do you have any experience w/ that service? It wasn't clear whether there is a signature confirmation, which paypal wants when shipping items over $100 overseas from reading their terms of service. I invoiced the dude $250 for shipping so i wouldn't be losing any money either way.

 

[gaidensensei]

If all fails, at minimum there is always the EMS option from USPS, which is a standard that allows for accurate tracking and signature confirmation both at once. Depending on how much your total package weights, I assume it is competitive with UPS and Fedex prices. But I'm sure it's much less than $250, more likely in the $80-150 range from my experience.

I mainly use and have used USPS for all standard services for items under ~25lbs for all my past business worldwide, usually if it gets heavier than that range I switch to FedEx or UPS, even for domestic (in-USA) parcels, but those times were rare. USPS always got the job done for less.

 

[Mide]

It's hella expensive and there are import/export fees that may need to get paid on their end. It's so not worth it to sell overseas.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Refund the money - cancel the deal.

Only sell to US Buyers if you must use EBAY.

 

[BoomerD]

The single BEST practice is DON'T do it.

 

[evident]

It's hella expensive and there are import/export fees that may need to get paid on their end. It's so not worth it to sell overseas.

so far it seems like he's willing to pay the shipping costs, as well as the import fees. I just checked the lenovo website and it seems like the one im selling in australia goes for double what it goes for here... sheesh

 

[webdave]

so far it seems like he's willing to pay the shipping costs, as well as the import fees. I just checked the lenovo website and it seems like the one im selling in australia goes for double what it goes for here... sheesh

To be covered under Paypal seller protection polices you'll have to put the true value on the customs form. You may want to inform the buyer that he may have to pay custom fees on the package. This is separate from the shipping fees you will pay. I recently sold an iPhone to someone in Canada. It was around $30.00 to ship via EMS/USPS. Buyer had to pay another $60 in custom fees.

 

[evident]

To be covered under Paypal seller protection polices you'll have to put the true value on the customs form. You may want to inform the buyer that he may have to pay custom fees on the package. This is separate from the shipping fees you will pay. I recently sold an iPhone to someone in Canada. It was around $30.00 to ship via EMS/USPS. Buyer had to pay another $60 in custom fees.

From my understanding, this is pretty transparent to the seller. I think the buyer just has to pay the import tax to the freight/shipping company upon receipt of the laptop or over phone via credit card, from what i'm reading so far.

 

[webdave]

From my understanding, this is pretty transparent to the seller. I think the buyer just has to pay the import tax to the freight/shipping company upon receipt of the laptop or over phone via credit card, from what i'm reading so far.

True, once you ship it, it is out of your hands. However, I just like to make sure my buyers know about the customs charge. The last time I sold something to Canada the buyer was angry about an extra $60.00 charge. They had no concept of customs fees.

 

[webdave]

Also EMS does qualify for Paypal seller protection on $250.00+ items, since they capture a signature when they deliver the item.