USPS International Shipping and Insurance a Joke?

[bunnycat]

I have something I am selling that is over $500 and I have someone interested. However, they are overseas.

I recall a discussion last year on here about using USPS Intl shipping and insurance and how things may not be covered once an item leaves the US borders (so essentially wasted money).

Does anyone have any info on how USPS would currently handle and Intl shipment valued over $500? It seems like Global Express is my only option. Is it reliable? Do they make good on claims if there should be one?

Does anyone have any suggestion on any other reasonably priced shipping method? Clearly, it's not so expensive as to need something like Malca Amit, but it's certainly more than a couple hundred dollars and I do want to find something reliable so that if there is a problem, the bases are covered and the money spent on insurance wasn't for nothing.

Otherwise, I'm just feeling like this isn't going to work out. I'm sure if I were a business, I could get some sort of reliable insurance from one of the carriers like FedEx, but well, I'm not.

 

[chrono]

You are correct that everything ends once it crosses the US borders. The local end destination country picks up the tracking and insurance from there onwards. I once was issued tracking from the local country and when it hit the US shores, USPS tracking. Global Express seems good but have never made any claims from them.

 

[susimoo]

Hey you!

I have bought several pieces from both Loupe Troop and DB that were in excess of $500.

They were all fully insured and required a signature for delivery. They all arrived timeously, around the three week mark and were not handed over to me until I showed up at the post office, with ID and signed for them.

Whilst the tracking part disappeared once the item left the US, it all looked very secure and the transactions went very smoothly.

I hope that you can find a way to send the item. I know as a PS overseas, it can be very disappointing when you are willing to pay full price but won't be considered due to location. I think, from my own experience, USPS does a great job.

Just my opinion!!!

 

[bunnycat]

Susi- you are extra special!!!

I'm still working on it. registered insured might be ok. Signing for it would definitely be a relief for me.

Chrono- thanks for verifying that. I knew I read that somewhere.

 

[marymm]

It really depends on which country you are shipping to and what specifically you are shipping - you need to read the USPS Individual Country Listings - http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ab_toc.htm - for example, many of the countries listed prohibit mailing of gold/silver/platinum and precious stones - some will allow precious stones & metal if shipped as jewelry - but many of the countries require jewelry shipments to be mailed via a specific method. If you shipped USPS international insured but did not comply with the shipping restrictions of the destination country, I don't know if your item would actually be covered by insurance if it went missing at the destination country. Added to the confusion is that often postal clerks aren't as fully informed as a consumer would expect, and you can receiving conflicting instructions and explanations.

 

[bunnycat]

It really depends on which country you are shipping to and what specifically you are shipping - you need to read the USPS Individual Country Listings - http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ab_toc.htm - for example, many of the countries listed prohibit mailing of gold/silver/platinum and precious stones - some will allow precious stones & metal if shipped as jewelry - but many of the countries require jewelry shipments to be mailed via a specific method. If you shipped USPS international insured but did not comply with the shipping restrictions of the destination country, I don't know if your item would actually be covered by insurance if it went missing at the destination country. Added to the confusion is that often postal clerks aren't as fully informed as a consumer would expect, and you can receiving conflicting instructions and explanations.

thank you for that link marymm.

 

[kenny]

There are almost 200 countries in the world.
USPS has control over just one.
They can't be blamed for what happens after they hand it over to another country.
Countries vary; some are more safe than others.
Theft happens in the USA too.

That's why I'd trust a private company like FedEx which operates in many countries.
I'd rather one company is responsible from origin to destination.
Malca Amit would be safest for international shipments but they are way too expensive when the item's value is low.

 

[ruby59]

I sent a jewelry item valued at $1,000 to Australia. I was told by my main Post Office that they do not offer international online signature confirmation, which is a must when you sell on ebay. They also said that once an item leaves the US, it is up to the receiving country to make sure the package continues on and is delivered. Also their online updates are very sporadic.

I went with Fed Ex global international. My item was practically lo jacked as I could go online and follow its destination every step of the way as it continuously updated me on where my item was. Also, from what I understand, customs in some countries can be very slow or a problem, yet my item zipped right through. From RI to Australia - my house to hers - took exactly 8 days. Yes, the service is pricey. But the peace of mind was worth it.

 

[Enerchi]

not related to value, but a lovely little USPS tale.... having an item shipped to a US address. Was sent first class and due for delivery on May 23. Today, May 24, they have discovered it was misdirected and shows as "missent" on the tracking form. Delivery is still (miraculously) planned for May 23 - yesterday!

It boggles the mind....

 

[April20]

There are several 3rd party insurers that can be used. Shipsaver is a fairly mainstream one you can use. The advantage to 3rd party insurance is that you can make a claim even if an item is marked as "delivered" (which applies more to US domestic packages). USPS insurance will not pay out if a package is marked as "delivered". Almost all insurers exclude some countries, so do read the fine print.

 

[lknvrb4]

I sold my pear to someone in Singapore and found it to be a pain. I was going to use FedEx but they don't insure for the amount I needed. I went to USPS and tried to send it priority to only be told it could not and I had to go back in and was told to use Global Express. I was able to track it to Singapore customs and that was it. Come to find out the customer I dealt with called customs and she was able to pick it up there. I did end up seeing a delivery confirmation on USPS though. It also did get there in the 3-5 business days.