Shipping Question - Stationed in Germany

Alfonz24 · February 3, 2009 1:41AM

I sold a card to someone stationed in Germany and have to send to the following address:
CMR 415 Box XXXX (I Xed out the box number)
APO,AE 09114

I tried to use Paypal shipping but it would not allow this address.

Do I have anything to worry about?

storm888 · February 3, 2009 3:02AM

I would use ExpressMail on that, but it is expensive.

About $30, but it meets PayPal's Seller Protection requirements.

rube26105 · February 3, 2009 3:08AM

wonder why it wouldnt take it, its just a army po box?

KbKards · February 3, 2009 3:49AM

I tried to use Paypal shipping but it would not allow this address.

Depending on the value, just take it to the Post Office and have them mail it then.
You will need to fill out a green customs tag and the DC and SC labels don't go on.
Certified, Registered, or Insured for high enough can go on to get you a signature on delivery.
PayPal looks at it as a non-US address and the customs tag number should work as proof it was sent.
On under $250 that should protect you with PayPal but over $250 you'll need Express Mail at $17.50 for flat rate envelope.

storm888 · February 3, 2009 4:27AM

"...PayPal looks at it as a non-US address and the customs tag number should work as proof it was sent.
On under $250 that should protect you with PayPal but over $250 you'll need Express Mail at $17.50 for flat rate envelope. "

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Sadly, PayPal does not care if an item was "sent."

They ONLY care if the seller can prove - via online viewable
doc - that the item was "delivered."

Currently, at this minute, the ONLY PayPal-proof shipping method to Germany is:

Express Mail International® Prices

Express Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope - $25.95 for Canada and Mexico, $27.95 for all other countries

One price regardless of weight
Size: 12-1/2" x 9-1/2"

$100.00 Insurance Included in Price.

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The combination of EBAY and PayPal simply does not work safely
for the seller with international transactions. The SPP requirements
CAN be met, but it is very costly and buyers don't want to pay
the costs.

Away from EBAY, the PayPal rules are different regarding SNAD-claims,
but sellers still must prove delivery to defeat an INR claim.

..........

International money orders work great for international orders, and
the stuff sent Priority Mail to the "developed" countries usually arrives
just fine.

KbKards · February 3, 2009 5:02AM

Storm
You are talking about shipping directly to Germany using a German address. OP is shipping to an APO which has a US Zip. Although it has a US Zip you need the customs tag and can't use SC and DC. Just like shipping to Canada where SC and DC are not available and the customs tag number satisfies PayPal proof of shipping for the low value orders. Express Mail flat rate to APO is the same cost as stateside but delivery time isn't guaranteed. You only need Express Mail International if you're shipping to a German address.

Alfonz24 · February 3, 2009 6:44AM

Thanks for the responses.

This is only a $14 card - 76 Brian Sipe RC PSA 8.

PROMETHIUS88 · February 3, 2009 10:59AM

Heck, I'd just use throw a couple of stamps on the slab and use a sharpie to put the address on the front. It's going to a military guy. Who in their right mind is going to take a card from a guy who is trained to kill without hesitation?!?!?!

jimrad · February 3, 2009 11:14AM

I had this happen so I went to the post office and they handled the postage cheap & easily as it is a US PO Box. I think in NY.

Blackie · February 3, 2009 11:19AM

Yes it should have worked. When I was in Japan it worked and even in Turkey.............don't understand why it wouldn't

ElToroLoco · February 3, 2009 11:25AM

There shouldn't be any huge expense sending the card. The requirement by the Post Office is the Customs form.Just take it to the Post Office and they'll help you at the counter. Like said above, it is similar to sending to a U.S Address except the Customs form of course. I've sent the Flat Rate boxes at a special $10-$12 rate to bases in Iraq.

Alfonz24 · February 3, 2009 11:53AM

Thanks for all the help. Looks like I have to make the dreaded trip to the PO.

I have really gotten used to using Paypal's shipping.

BassPro77 · February 3, 2009 12:50PM

never had a problem when i lived in England

storm888 · February 3, 2009 1:11PM

This is a current chart from the PP UA:

11.8 Which shipping services provide Proof of Shipment, Proof of Delivery, and/or Signature Confirmation?

You may use any shipping service that meets PayPal’s shipping requirements. The following services meet the requirements:

Shipping From * Shipping To * Transaction Amount * Shipping Services

Anywhere to Anywhere * Any Amount * Any international shipping service that provides door-to-door tracking that is viewable online, such as those offered by UPS, FedEx, or DHL

United States to United States * Less than $ 250 USD * USPS any service with Delivery Confirmation

United States to United States * $ 250 USD or more * USPS any service with Signature Confirmation

United States to Anywhere Less than $ 250 USD USPS: Priority Mail with the Customs Declaration form (tracking not available for all destinations)

United States to Anywhere * $ 250 USD or more * USPS Express Mail

....

(ExpressMail is the ONLY USPS ticket that is reliably scanned by the foreign delivery agents,
and is the USPS document-number that PayPay requests in an international INR-claim.)

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I called a PayPal supervisor to clarify the issue of "customs numbers." There is
a lot of misinformation on the EBAY boards about their use to "prove delivery."

An online viewable Customs Dec number - or the physical document - is ONLY accepted as "proof of shipment."

"Proof of shipment" is Primarily an issue when the seller is alleged by PayPal to be not
eligible for "Seller Protection" because he shipped "more than 7-days" after payment
was received.

"Proof of shipment" will ALSO, in part, protect the seller from "unauthorized-use" chargebacks.

"Proof of shipment" does NOT defeat an INR claim, either domestic or international.

The Customs forms are NOT currently accepted as "proof of delivery." There
is an ongoing deliberation as to whether or not Customs forms viewable online
will at some time in the future be accepted as proof of delivery. (I doubt it will
ever happen, unless the forms are modified to consistently SHOW DELIVERY.)

amanda@paypal.com has tried repeatedly to make this clear to folks, but the
same incorrect info continues to appear on every EBAY board.

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11.6 What is “Proof of Shipment”?

Online or physical documentation from a shipping company that includes all of the following:

A status of “shipped” (or equivalent) and the date of shipment.

The recipient’s address, showing at least the city/state or zip code (or international equivalent).

Official acceptance from the shipping company (for example, a postmark, a receipt, or online tracking information).

Or, if you have Proof of Delivery then you do not need Proof of Shipment.

11.7 What is “Proof of Delivery”?

Online documentation from a shipping company that includes all of the following:

A status of “delivered” and the date of delivery.

The recipient’s address, showing at least the city/state or zip code (or international equivalent).

Signature Confirmation for transactions that total $ 250 USD or more.

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It really should not be so complicated to sell a baseball-card on EBAY.

Shipping Question - Stationed in Germany

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