How do you best handle shipments of expensive items?

laurentyvan

For shipments to eBay buyers overseas (assuming a country where there are no particular worries) where an item is $750 to $1000, how do you normally ship, given the items high dollar amount?

I could squeeze it into a global priority envelope at $5.25 for shipment to Western Europe but then there's no insurance and a rather weak physical presence (PO Global Priority envelope). Shipped with insurance, it'll be roughly US$20, reasonable in relation to the item's value, but I have qualms about listing the insured value on the package (customs forms), fearing theft. Should I just ship it appropriately and not worry? How would you ship to calm your nerves?

cacheman

Assuming you don't have an issue with the integrity of the receiver I would just send it Global Priority with a Certificate of Mailing...but even then you must still declare value. Insuring a package is essentially throwing your money away as the Postal Service will only cover the piece to our border. Your other options are DHL, FedEx, and UPS, but spendy.

satootoko

If the value is over $400 you can use the multi-part PS Form 2976A, which goes inside a special packing list type envelope with the content detail, and only the top portion of the small PS Form 2976 has to be visible on the outside.

Instructions are on the reverse of the green form. Whoever wrote those instructions probably got fired from his job as a bureaucrat, because they are clear and concise, with no gobbldygook.

laurentyvan

Assuming you don't have an issue with the integrity of the receiver

So far, buyers have been upfront and cordial with me, regardless of their environs. I do 99% of my shipping online, through paypal and the USPS with delivery confirmation @ .14 each. I always have a dated printout from the USPS that the item was shipped.
I always e-mail my buyers and let them know how it was shipped and that confirming paperwork is available.
I have had some (seemingly) shady European and US buyers pay promptly when this fact was brought to their attention.

but even then you must still declare value. Well, that's my main issue...

What I can't shake is the insurance value being so prominently displayed. It's like a red flag to me that says steal this! You've seen the quantity of stickers they put on insured mail. Truth is, it's an unusually high value for me to ship and that's what causes my concerns. Oh, maybe I'm being too anal...

Postal Service will only cover the piece to our border. Eh, what!? First I've heard of this- Scott, where does that information exist?

If the value is over $400 you can use the multi-part PS Form 2976A, Ahhh, I should have read that-thank you Satootoko!

laurentyvan

Of course, this is always interesting:

see #134- valuable articles

WhiteTornado

Fixed the link

Article #134 on USPS site

coinpictures

I've been having good luck with registered mail to Europe.

Assuming that neither is insured, which is safer or more likely not to be pilfered, the quicker less time in transit of global priority mail or the slower but (supposedly) more secure registered mail?

satootoko

<< <i>the quicker less time in transit of global priority mail or the slower but (supposedly) more secure registered mail? >>

The primary cause of slowdown in handling of registered mail is the individualized signing over on a piece-by-piece basis at every change of custody. The story goes that the Hope Diamond has been moved from place to place a time or two by registered mail.

worldcoinguy

For anything over $100, I only send non-US packages via registered mail. Under $100, the buyer has an option if they want the risk. I am at 22 countries and counting!

AuldFartte

I would advise against Global Priority Mail. I've had some rather nice items (not coins) get "lost" between here and Japan. I will be starting selling again on Sleaze-Bay-Pay-Out-the-Butt-Pal™ in the near future, but I doubt I will ship anywhere outside the continental U.S.