I just processed one of the very few International orders I do and I see that PayPal has finally removed all non-traceable shipping options from their shipping system. 'bout Damn time.

CS

not quite!

I just tried to process an ebay shipment that was paid yesterday. The listing offered first class international as well as priority int. She selected first class and paypal processed the order.

Now paypal wants to charge me $16.15 for priority on a shipment for which they only collected $5.67 for shipping & handling.

And this is for a $2.70 item!

And additionally...there is no tracking for priority international, that is a big lie! Just try to track an international shipment.

When... Oh when will they learn.

PP is NOT an option you want when accepting
'card not present' transactions.

I stand corrected

artstampn - I too had an international order yesterday exactly as 'you'. Due to PP's recent updates, I had no choice but to prepare and ship - out of process. I used the USPS Ship. Asst. to create the label and customs stuff, and then had to walk into the PO to purchase postage.

My package postage was $22.65 - FC Int'l (2.9 lbs.) - the PM identical was almost $30 - would not fit in a FR....

So - I was not a happy camper -- it should NOT be that difficult to ship out of the country affordably!!

Oh good - just as international sales are increasing due to the relative value of the dollar, eBay/PayPal finds a way to make it less workable AND less affordable! What excellent timing!! [/sarcasm]

I was doing some research into tracking and found that Australians can ship to the US and add USPS tracking/delivery confirmation to the shipment at all levels of service.

The only tracking/ delivery confirmation we here in the US have to ship to Australia is Express Mail. Australia has tracking for it's domestic mailing but I guess it must be too difficult to make this available to US shippers.

I wonder how many other countries the USPS has made this available to?

I would suggest using another product besides PP or USPS Click & Ship for postage, avoid the calculators. Figure out what it will weighs and specify the postage at a flat rate that will cover all countries. I normally ship small packages that are 2 to 5 oz and fit in bubble mailers- jewelry. So it is easier for me to specify a flat rate.

I use Endicia to do the postage. I can do all domestic and international, including printing the customs forms. Endica is $9.95 a month, it is worth every penny as it is so easy to use and does it all. Since I print online I can also get the 'online' discounts.

For all international shipping that is paid with PP I am now requiring insurance. Thats my only protection if something happens.

I ship all over the world. I find that these simple things help the package arrive safely. 1> Tape the seal of the envelope or all edges of the box, it will help discourage 'lifters'. I have even written 'sealed' under the tape, so if the tape is lifted off it will show that it was opened.
2> With Endicia you can insure with UPIC or Endicia and do not need to put a form on the package. If there is an 'Insured' stamp on the package it can be held up in customs, an INS form will do the same thing. Endicia INS can be lower than the USPS for domestic. For International it is higher for under $50.00, but actually equals out to the USPS rate when over $100.00.
3> Make sure that there is a packing slip in the package, it should have a description of the item, price, return and destination address.
4> make sure the customs information reflects the same value of the item as does the packing slip, this should be the final auction value or selling price.
5> DO NOT mark as a gift.
6> If the item is used then make sure the custom description says used, if its antique make sure it say its antique, if it vintage say so, you get the idea. Most of mine say Used fashion accessory.
7> The buyer should always be responsible for all customs fees or tariffs.
8> Savvy buyers will ask that you mark the customs form with a lower value. It is actually against the postal regulations to do so. If customs should open the package they can research the item and hold it up weeks while they investigate. You could be fined quite a bit for doing it. Plus the buyer may never get the item.

Hope it helps, really International shipping is easy and good thing. The dollar is so week that international buyers are shopping for deals. It is just more revenue for the seller.