Shipping International?

[LTO_Dave]

I have a question about shipping a rigid envelope from the U.S. to Australia.

A member was interested in buying a small part from me and we agreed on sending it in a regular mailing envelope since it was cheap and used. I sandwiched it between two thin pieces of cardboard just to be safe and had it taken to the post office ready to mail.

I was told it would be $6.55 which is the rate of a parcel of the same weight, and I didn't even bother sending it since it wasn't paid for yet anyway.

I called a closer local post office and told them about the option on the USPS website that's $1.30 to ship a rigid envelope internationally, but I was told that once a rigid abject is enclosed, it becomes parcel rate.

So why is there even an option if it's not available? There's a $.20 charge for being rigid compared to a regular envelope. Taken from the USPS website:

First Class Mail International (letter)
A nonmachinable surcharge is applied to a First-Class Mail International letter, if it has one or more of the following characteristics:

Has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of less than 1.3 or more than 2.5.
Is polybagged, polywrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material.
Has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices.
Contains items such as pens, pencils, or loose keys or coins that cause the thickness of the mailpiece to be uneven.
Is too rigid (does not bend easily when subjected to a transport belt tension of 40 pounds around an 11-inch diameter turn).
Is more than 4-1/4 inches high or 6 inches long and less than 0.009 inch thick.
Has a delivery address parallel to the shorter dimension of the mailpiece.
For self-mailers with a folded edge perpendicular to the address, the piece is not secured according to DMM 201.
For booklet-type pieces, the bound edge (spine) is the shorter dimension of the piece or is at the top, regardless of the use of tabs, wafer seals, or other fasteners.

http://ircalc.usps.com/LetterProperties.aspx?country=10013&m=1&p=0&o=1

[marlo]

I sent a pack to Australia. Large bubble envelope, lots of bulky parts, such as rear bulk heads a-arms, etc. Something like $20. Same parts in a box would have been like $50 something. In the envelope there was no tracking though. but it made it safe. prob not the answer to your question, but thought I would add it, I was worried at first, But will now ship to that member anytime.

[EvolutionRevolution]

I called a closer local post office and told them about the option on the USPS website that's $1.30 to ship a rigid envelope internationally, but I was told that once a rigid abject is enclosed, it becomes parcel rate.

Sounds like nonsense. By that reasoning, shipping a CD would be parcel rate, which is ridiculous as they get their own envelopes.

Try a different clerk or post office. If required, print out the regulations to show them.

[Bormac]

It seems us Aussies are on the receiving end of international mail even more now days. Personally I can't think of an item that has not made it to me from abroad. Years ago sellers used to flat out refuse to ship to me but as time marches on I think the world is becoming a smaller place.