YAY, I DID IT!!!!!

It started with these guys:

I did, I shipped my first International Shipment to South Africa.  Actually I did two first; I shipped my first bulky package and my first International.

I listed these heart shaped baskets on ebay and was seriously wondering if I would figure out how to package them. Then I woke the next morning to a message from a lovely lady in South Africa who would dearly love to have my baskets. Oh-oh now what….

I’m on the ‘Shipping with the boys” facebook site so I write a general question about how to do it. There are some wonderful people on this fb site that are not only willing to share their knowledge, and to walk you through the process but are also are there cheering you on.

I learned so much.  Here are a couple of the things I learned:

1. Yes, I can!!!

2. Each country has their own laws about what you can ship into their country, what size and weight your box can be, etc. 

A good USPS site explaining international shipping is:

https://www.usps.com/ship/international-how-to.htm

The following site is invaluable for info on what can be sent, size and other requirements.  (Check out Italy-I’m still trying to figure out what can be shipped in.)

http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ab_toc.htm

OK, so now I have all this info and realize my box doesn’t fit size requirements so off I go to find one that does. 

For my example, shipping to South Africa box requirements are:

From USPS website:

The surface area of the address side of the item to be mailed must be large enough to completely contain the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label), postage, endorsement, and any applicable markings. The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long.

Maximum length: 46 inches

Maximum width: 35 inches

Maximum height: 46 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

I know what length, width and height is but what the heck is girth?  Handy dandy dictionary again:

girth

gərTH/

noun

1. 1.

   the measurement around the middle of something, esp. a person's waist.

   synonyms:

   circumference, perimeter; More
2. 2.

   a band attached to a saddle, used to secure it on a horse by being fastened around its belly.

   synonyms:

   cinch More

verb

archaic

1. 1.

   surround; encircle.

   "the four seas that girth Britain"

Girth is determined by: take the measuring tape and start at one side of the bottom measure to other end, up the side, across the top and down the other side back to the beginning of the tape measure. The number you have is the girth. 

  

Seemed overwhelming!  But I started with the first one, did the second one, third one. Marked off all that was required.  (My dear husband, Jack, was a tremendous help here-he even figured out how to compactly pack these guys with their handles and all).

Now to print out the shipping label, I seriously have no clue but I figure customs labels are going to be something really scary.   I fill up my printer with paper, triple check data I’ve entered on shipping site, and click on print postage. One page gets printed and printing stops.  I check my printer, and start worrying-something had to have gone wrong. But I look at the page that did print and it has a place for me to sign, date, etc. I print two forms which is good because the Post Office wanted a copy for their records.  My box was ok and was shipped.

Luckily the customer does the customs thing on their end so I didn't have to worry about that.

3. USPS does not want you to put your international packages in any blue mailbox. They require you to either hand it to your mailperson directly or take it to the Post Office.  They would prefer you to take it to the Post Office so they can double check your size, weight, et

I DID IT!!! Off goes my package from So Cal to South Africa.

I learned a lot!

If I can do it so can you…Go for it.

It's been about 1 1/2 months and on February 14th I get this in my inbox.  Was it worth it?  OH YEA!!!

To see my other items  click here.