I plan to ship all my packages via USPS Priority w/ the free Priority Tyvek Envelopes USPS offers unless I can find a better alternative. I plan to use Paypal for all the shipping and I'm using Big Cartel as my store.
How would I figure out the shipping cost for international orders? Do most stores just charge a flat rate for all countries other than the US or do they charge each country individually? I know some people use flat-rate envelopes but what about for people like me who are using non flat-rate envelopes? Should I use flat-rate envelopes? That way, I can just charge about $12 for shipping for all countries. Seems simpler. However the biggest flat-rate free envelopes on the USPS site is 12.5" X 9.5" which is too small to fit t-shirts in.
Ideally, I would like to be able to use one envelope and shipping method for both domestic and international shipping.
I messaged a few of you through PMs and I got a wealth of info but I still need more clarity.
Thanks.
Last edited by cpix; December 21st, 2008 at 07:12 PM.
I just don't do international sales and shipping ....period...
What he said... I tried shipping international. Out of the first 10 orders I sent, 8 went off into never-never land and I was never able to get a refund from USPS. Once package managed to make it's way back home from South Africa 4 months later. Not worth the aggravation or expense...
I'm in a similar dilemma. I want to send all my international packages via Priority mail using USPS' tyvek envelopes since that's how I'm sending all domestic orders.
However, the problem is they are not flat-rate (can't use flat-rate envelopes because they are too small to fit even two shirts) and calculating each country via the postage calculator and entering the info into Big Cartel's system seems very time-consuming and unnecessary.
I guess another option would be to buy separate mailers although I'd really prefer not to spend any more money.
I'm in the same boat. Considering a flat rate since APPARENTLY my site was showing freakin UPS overnight as its default quote - so a tank top to the UK was pricing out at 75 bucks! Great. I'm thinking $15 flat with 6-10day delivery window.
15 flat rate with a 6-10 delivery is about right. $15 will be on the higher side of things though. Right now we charge a flat rate of $8 for international customers. We use the same mailers that we do here in the states with the only additional piece is filling out the customs form at the post office. If I'm shipping a standard 7oz t-shirt over to Europe or Australia for instance, the cost ends up to be between $5-$7. Sometimes $9. I still havnt figured out the USPS yet...
All of our shirts have made it overseas without an issue. However the USPS will not give you a tracking number for this type of shipping. So, fingers crossed they make it over.
I wouldn't drop international shipping if I were you. That is a huge market. We get a lot of hits and sales from our friends overseas. You've got little to lose by trying it out.
I agree with scaredpanda. Don't listen to the other guys and give up on international sales because it's a little more complicated. I don't have an answer for you, but it's worth finding out the best and most cost effective method so you don't lose out on those sales. Huge market opportunities. The US is just one of 180+ countries. Why limit your growth?
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I'm in the same boat. Considering a flat rate since APPARENTLY my site was showing freakin UPS overnight as its default quote - so a tank top to the UK was pricing out at 75 bucks! Great. I'm thinking $15 flat with 6-10day delivery window.
what do you guys think?
$15 seems a bit high, I would ship via USPS First Class mail which will run you about $7-$9 per for a one t-shirt order. I think if you can keep the international shipping under $10 it will help with those sales.
It's not complicated at all to ship internationally via USPS
How do I deal with international orders? 
