USPS International Prices DOUBLE

[cmacclel]

USPS raised there prices again effective today.

Mac

 

[Eric242]

Yep, prices increased a lot but priority mail international now has optional insurance!

And there are still two flat rate envelopes available which should cover a lot if not most of the items sold here in CPF:

priority mail international - flat rate envepole (9.5"x12.5", up to 4lbs):
canada & mexico $9.00
rest of the world $11.00

express mail international - flat rate envelope (9.5"x12.5", no weight limit mentioned but surely has):
canada & mexico $22.00
rest of the world $25.00

insurance for priority mail international:
up to $50 $2.40
up to $100 $3.30
up to $200 $4.20
up to $300 $5.10
up to $400 $6.00
up to $500 $6.90

insurance for express mail international:
up to $100 included/free
up to $200 $0.75
up to $500 $2.10

Eric

 

[cmacclel]

So you would ship an expensive flashlight in a envelope?


Mac

 

[modamag]

Yes!, but inside the evelope is your standard Indestructo box that is "Crush proof - Double walls of 200 lb. test on 3 sides."

So you would ship an expensive flashlight in a envelope?
Mac

 

[Eric242]

Well, it doesn´t matter if I would ship an expensive light in such an envelope. These are just options everybody can choose from, it is up to the buyer and seller to decide.

But since you asked: it depends. McGizmo does for example, at least I received my Ti-PD in a GPM envelope. Those flat rate envelopes have enough room to give the light (let´s say up to about 5 inches long and not too big in diameter) propper packaging with bubble wrap/some cardboard. Of course they would be too small for bigger lights like MagLites for example. After all I would let the buyer choose and if he want´s it that way and chooses insurance I wouldn´t bother. Without insurance it would be a completely different case. But I guess I wouldn´t ship an expensive light at all without insurance, I even got the shirts I sold on eBay a few days ago insured (within germany).

Eric

 

[will]

Those international envelopes will take a mini-mag or some of the smaller lights. A regular maglite, C or D, size will not fit. I was told at the post office that you can not use additional packing tape to keep the envelope closed.

 

[modamag]

what you can do are as follows:
- Use the USPS priority box and prefold the evelop so the box will fit inside.
- Use tap internally to keep the envelop from bursting.

Their taping policy also recently changed. Before you can use one piece to tap to hold the flaps together. Now it's none!

will, you're absolutely right MagC or MagD is gonna get REALLY REALLY expensive to ship oversea. I guess, I'll stick to Draco size for all outbound :nana:

 

[Essexman]

will, you're absolutely right MagC or MagD is gonna get REALLY REALLY expensive to ship oversea

But please remember buying a MagC or MagD can be REALLY REALLY REALLY expensive if you live outside the states !!

 

[CLHC]

Yes indeed those prices went UP. :huh: Guessing that I'm in the wrong business and should have. . .Now what to do with those remaining rolls of stamps I got? :thinking:

 

[LEDcandle]

Damn, just when the US$ rate was dropping enough to make a difference

I see they got rid of GPM small and large and just made it Priority and Express... $18.50 starting!! That's super expensive.. guess it's time to buy locally or more stuff from DX and Dae? :laughing:

 

[Somy Nex]

it seems with the new international express mail standard envelope, things will pretty much remain the same for me for smaller lights.

but having said that, once it gets to non-envelope sizes (i.e. most medium to large lights) then things will start getting much more expensive. i tried a quote just for laughs just now for a 1lb box package to Malaysia and it returned some ridiculous amount of $55.00 or something.

it's already the case here in Malaysia that since the last price hike it's cheaper to ship via FedEx to the US, as opposed to using EMS. this is not because of the local post office, but because EMS decided to raise their charges worldwide. imho i hope it doesn't reach that point elsewhere, as EMS still is nowhere close to the level the large specialized courier companies (FedEX, DHL, UPS) are at.

 

[Trashman]

So you would ship an expensive flashlight in a envelope?


Mac

You'd be surprised at what kind of flashlights I've received in envelopes! I even send them, sometimes, in envelopes, padded, of course, and wrapped in bubble wrap, too. I quickly gained trust in the simple envelope after receiving my on of my first CPF purchases in an envelope. It was the first run of the FM 1.5D (3 Pila 168s). I was shocked, at first. I thought, though, if Fivemega was sending these lights in envelopes, it must be safe.

 

[greenLED]

Yup. I stopped by the PO today, and I paid more than double the usual rate for the usual package. Apparently the new rules now look at weight AND package size. :green:

 

[LuxLuthor]

Also even for first class mail, there are new rules charging extra for thickness and shape. I love this statement below the 1st class letters price table:

For heavier weights, or unusually shaped letters see First-Class Mail Large Envelopes. Letters are subject to a $0.17 surcharge if they are square, rigid or have certain nonmachinable characteristics.

​

I asked the Postman today if they know what all causes a letter to be too "rigid" so it is nonmachinable, like if I put some photos or cardboard backing in an envelope. She said none of them know for sure, and they were all laughing about it.

 

[Coop]

Their taping policy also recently changed. Before you can use one piece to tap to hold the flaps together. Now it's none!

Correction:

231.2 Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope

All items that may be sent as First-Class Mail International (see 241) may be sent in the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope provided that the contents are mailable and fit securely in the envelope and the contents are entirely confined within the envelope with the adhesive provided as the means of closure. The envelope flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Tape may be applied to the flap and seams for closure or to reinforce the envelope, provided the design of the envelope is not enlarged by opening the sides of the envelope and taping or reconstructing the envelope in any way. Registered mail service is available. Insurance is not available.

from: http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immc2.5.12.htm

 

[goldenlight]

Correction:

231.2 Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope

All items that may be sent as First-Class Mail International (see 241) may be sent in the Priority Mail International flat-rate envelope provided that the contents are mailable and fit securely in the envelope and the contents are entirely confined within the envelope with the adhesive provided as the means of closure. The envelope flaps must be able to close within the normal folds. Tape may be applied to the flap and seams for closure or to reinforce the envelope, provided the design of the envelope is not enlarged by opening the sides of the envelope and taping or reconstructing the envelope in any way. Registered mail service is available. Insurance is not available.

from: http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immc2.5.12.htm

...Yes, but do the Thorazine Commandos behind the counter know this?

I doubt it!

 

[Coop]

Just point it out to them (bring along a print of the page I linked just in case).

What use is it if they make rules and don't stick by it?

 

[The_LED_Museum]

I just heard on TV today that first class postage in the US went up to 41¢.

 

[RCatR]

@#$%^&*!!!

 

[will]

Most of the prices have gone up, certainly not all are doubled. I wonder how they are going to measure envelope thickness...