International shipping question
04-05-21, 05:37 PM
#1
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International shipping question
May not be the right place to ask but here it goes: I've got an item listed on Ebay with an offer from a buyer in Japan. I will most likely accept it. So, for any who have shipped international (small item that will fit in a 6" X 6" box):
- What things do I need to be aware of
- USPS or .......?
- Experiences shipping overseas with delays, etc.
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
04-05-21, 05:53 PM
#2
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The most important thing is use a tracking number, so both you the seller and the buyer know where the package is, and when it arrives. Also, depending on the value of the item being shipped, use insurance as appropriate. USPS is fine. USPS is handled by ultra reliable Japan Post when the package reaches Japan. Customs duties/import taxes, if applicable, are between the buyer and Japan customs. Not your concern. The buyer may ask you to declare a lower value on the shipping document so they pay less customs duties/import taxes. Its no skin off your nose to do so, as long as the buyer is ok with the insured amount being lower. International shipping is running smoothy again after experiencing some hiccups last year. In recent months, I've received multiple packages here in Japan from Amain Cycling in the US. All received in a timely manner.
04-05-21, 06:01 PM
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The most important thing is use a tracking number, so both you the seller and the buyer know where the package is, and when it arrives. Also, depending on the value of the item being shipped, use insurance as appropriate. USPS is fine. USPS is handled by ultra reliable Japan Post when the package reaches Japan. Customs duties/import taxes, if applicable, are between the buyer and Japan customs. Not your concern. The buyer may ask you to declare a lower value on the shipping document so they pay less customs duties/import taxes. Its no skin off your nose to do so, as long as the buyer is ok with the insured amount being lower. International shipping is running smoothy again after experiencing some hiccups last year. In recent months, I've received multiple packages here in Japan from Amain Cycling in the US. All received in a timely manner.
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
04-06-21, 10:24 AM
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I recently sold a bike to ship to China. The buyer had used a local Oregon company, shipito.com. The buyer has to set up an account, you ship it to Oregon, the customer makes arrangements to ship overseas. That takes you out of the shipping equation. I'm sending a frame to England using this same service.
BTW, the Shipito office that you ship to is 5 minutes from my day job.
BTW, the Shipito office that you ship to is 5 minutes from my day job.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
04-06-21, 04:49 PM
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I recently sold a bike to ship to China. The buyer had used a local Oregon company, shipito.com. The buyer has to set up an account, you ship it to Oregon, the customer makes arrangements to ship overseas. That takes you out of the shipping equation. I'm sending a frame to England using this same service.
BTW, the Shipito office that you ship to is 5 minutes from my day job.
BTW, the Shipito office that you ship to is 5 minutes from my day job.
04-06-21, 05:49 PM
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When I worked for a car company, we used OCSworld.com (well, before . com was a thing)
terrific handshake to Japan.
terrific handshake to Japan.
04-06-21, 09:52 PM
#7
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The Bike Friday hadn't been ridden in 3 years. Well, @Andy_K borrowed it for a business trip, but for once I couldn't talk him into buying something from the Ateier. Besides, I had to fund the Ritchey Breakaway purchase somehow...
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
04-07-21, 03:47 AM
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That is actually illegal and considered mail fraud in the USA. It's hard to detect but can cause issues for you if you get a compaint when the item is lost and you have to refund it.
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04-07-21, 10:11 AM
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It's the only way I can afford my frame mod business.
I can hardly wait until I retire, when $2.50/hr sounds like a good rate.
I can hardly wait until I retire, when $2.50/hr sounds like a good rate.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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04-07-21, 10:13 AM
#11
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Another reason I like shipito.com. The buyer is responsible for shipment details, they're shipping to themselves. Gets me out of the pointing fingers if something goes south on shipment. I just drop it off, take a picture of me handing the box over, and I'm done.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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04-07-21, 10:42 AM
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Never had issues with items disappearing but I did feel anxious when I dropped off one particularly expensive keycap set. Though it was fun seeing the post office employee doing a double take when I told her I wanted the tracked shipping with €500+ insurance on a box the size of a pair of sandwiches.
Not sure a similar service is available here in Europe. Sounds useful.
