Shipping
Getting it there safely.
boxes & packing
Knowing HOW to pack a box may sound simple, but doing it correctly takes great care and thought.
Labels, Insurance And Declarations
Shipping labels for International packages need more than just what comes out on those sheets from the Postal Service, UPS, Fed-Ex or DHL.
Carriers
Picking the right carrier requires a little homework until you're experienced. Regardless of whether it is a domestic or international shipment.
How Shipping on Bidamount-Live Works
Seller Shipping, Keeping it simple
In a Nutshell (Important)
- For each listing within the Descriptions and Shipping box, provide estimated shipping costs for the item to a few regions of the world. Be as accurate as possible. i.e. USA, EU, Asia. etc.
- After your item itself sells and is paid for, now calculate the ACTUAL shipping cost to the buyer’s address.
- Send the buyer an invoice for the shipping.
- Once the shipping is paid send the package. Also, send the customer the Tracking Number.
Where do you get these estimated shipping rates?
It’s easy, regardless of which carrier you use, you can quickly pull rates from any of their websites with a few bits of information.
When preparing listings, a section on the item form is labeled “Descriptions and Shipping”.
Under “Descriptions and Shipping” in addition to information about the object you’re selling, add “estimated shipping” rate to several regions of the world.
Example: If a Seller is in the EU. He or she can add an estimate of shipping to another part of the EU, North America and Asia.
We also suggest you add your eMail address, in case a buyer wants a specific rate to their address prior to buying.
After the item is sold and paid for.
The seller will package the object, weigh it and then invoice the buyer Via PayPal or Stripe for the shipping amount needed.
Sellers can use any carrier they wish, though 90% of the time traditional Mail services will be more than adequate.
Dealing with Shipping and transactions Across the globe
After looking at dozens of possible shipping solutions, we learned one amazing thing.
No software maker in the world offers a tool or site “plugin” that can be used to orchestrate shipping in North America, the UK, European Union, Asia and Australia. There are no shipping tools for websites on the market that can handle all countries for postal shipping.
Further, no company we contacted indicated any such development is contemplated due to complexity.
taxes and Duties
Not a big issue in most cases but pay attention
If you’re not familiar with the customs and duty laws regarding International Shipping of antiques, ask questions. Generally speaking “antiques” are tax-exempt when shipped into most countries. China however DOES have a Duty, and that is paid by the buyer.
Rule Number One With Shipping
Pack every time as though the box has an egg in it and is going to be smashed with a wooden mallet.
Or is going to be dropped off the roof of a two-story building onto a cement sidewalk. Rough handling is the norm, not the exception.
You are here to build a customer base for your business, being a great shipper and packer makes a world of difference.
boxing and Packing Basics
Double Boxing For Long Journeys
Most objects (everything but fabric) shipped will require double-boxing. Comprising an inner box with the item in it, and an outer box at least one inch larger all the way around than the inner box. Two to three inches is preferable.
The item must first be wrapped in bubble wrap HEAVILY, no less than 3 layers typically.
Then add a good layer of peanuts filled high so that when the inner box is closed it will COMPRESS the peanuts snuggly around the object.
Then add a layer of peanuts to the outer box, placing the inner box within and filling all the way around the piece, top, bottom, front, and back. You can also use styrofoam sheets as buffers. Be sure to GLUE them to the outer walls of the inner box to hold them in place. Fill in any gaps with more peanuts.
Tape the box lid down, and then apply a layer of tape along the flap edges all around and then apply additional strips of tape across the box twice, top and bottom.
Tape (good tape matters)
Do not buy THIN Cheap Packing Tape. The cheap plastic tapes will break and can crack with temperature changes and moderate stress.
We strongly recommend 2.1 ML thick 3-inch wide Natural Rubber Tape. The roll is amber in color, but is clear when applied. It can be bought from Uline and Staples online.
A bit About Buying Boxes
Buy top quality boxes, we suggest Uline.
If you’re shipping smaller things in the USA, check the USPS website for their FREE boxes. Sizes are limited and be sure to use the right box for the postage you’re using. Some of them make terrific “inner” boxes and they are free.
Labels, Insurance and Declarations
Basics
Insurance
Many sellers are very uncomfortable with shipping things without full insurance coverage. If this is you, check around and you’ll find a number of companies who offer the service, it is very inexpensive typically. Also, check with your own insurance agent to see what they can offer.
Duties and Value declarations
You will likely encounter buyers in countries with Duties on incoming packages based on declared value.
As a result, you’ll have buyers asking that you lower the “Declared value” to pay a lower tax. If you do so, the package cannot be insured as the valuation MUST be the same as the declared value.
The Second Label (Important)
In cases where you’re shipping to Asia, it is highly advisable to ask the buyer for their shipping information: Name, Full Address, and CEL Phone number in their language, i.e. Chinese, Japanese, Korean etc. You should then attach this information taped to the box beside the postage labels.
Confusion often arises on these packages with carriers being unable to understand the western translation of the address on the printed postage labels. Having that extra address in their native language with the Cel number will ensure the package arrives safely.
Over the years we’ve shipped thousands of boxes to China, Vietnam and Japan, of all of those only one package was ever lost. It did not have the extra address label.
Picking a Carrier
Prices DO Vary Wildly
Which carrier you use will most often be entirely dependent on cost. Depending on what country you’re in, rates and box requirements will vary wildly, just as they will when shipping to other countries. Some countries have fairly strict box size limitations for standard mail, so ALWAYS check before quoting a price.
Take the time to learn the basic country requirements. It will save you money by preventing mistaken quotes on shipping.
In the United States for example, as of today, the USPS is not competitive compared to UPS or Fed-Ex for longer destinations inside the US. These situations change often, so do keep track of it all, as much as possible.
Proof of Delivery
Under our Terms and Conditions, a package will be considered delivered if the package has been scanned on delivery. SIGNATURES are not required if a Delivery Scan confirmation is available. But you must have one or the other in the event of a claim for non-delivery.
Where not to ship to
Most of the Middle East: Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan, UAE, Kuwait, Dubai, Yemen, Iran, and any Country ending in “stan” etc. also the continent of Africa, Central America, and Russia. Note: Israel is fine.
All of the above have proven themselves just to not be worth the hassles and headaches.
in closing
With time how to do all of this will become second nature. With common sense and careful preparation, boxes can be shipped anywhere without much problem.
