General shipping questions, tips and answers

[ichiroll]

Nice to have a box resizer tool too

Picked a few of these up when I went to Japan.

Why do it by hand when you can use a cool gadget to do it lol.

 

 

Edited November 18, 2020 by ichiroll

[Sauromosis]

12 minutes ago, RightDwigt said:

USPS one is free but a bit oversized for the Nebulon

https://store.usps.com/store/product/shipping-supplies/priority-mail-box-1095-P_O_1095#moreinfofooter

 

I have some of these that fit most sets under $30-40 MSRP, including the Nebulon with minimal wasted volume. 

https://www.staples.com/12-L-x-9-W-x-3-H-Shipping-Boxes-32-ECT-Brown-25-Bundle-PRA0049/product_426568

 

Edit, I just wanted to add that I read some advice here earlier this year that the best thing some sellers have done is to buy specific perfect size boxes for most of their inventory. I found three different box sizes from Staples that cover 99% of the inventory I have. A little less than a dollar per sale as far as cost goes, but well worth saving the headache of finding boxes or having boxes that are way too large. Just raise the price a dollar and you're good. No more the days of coming through my old Amazon boxes. 🤗

Thanks! Will the Staples ones cost roughly the same to ship as the USPS flat rate for this set assuming most domestic locations?

[amtrak23]

1 minute ago, sauromosis said:

Thanks! Will the Staples ones cost roughly the same to ship as the USPS flat rate for this set assuming most domestic locations?

Probably not, FR is generally not a good deal.

To get around this issue I'll just send you a label and you can send the entire box full of them to me. Then you don't need to worry about all those shipping headaches. 

 

[RightDwigt]

1 minute ago, sauromosis said:

Thanks! Will the Staples ones cost roughly the same to ship as the USPS flat rate for this set assuming most domestic locations?

Yes, generally. Under 3 lb or so you are mostly looking at the weight is the determining factor vs overall dimensions. I usually find that the closer you can get a box to the exact size of the item you are shipping, the less chance there will be any damage. 

Staples is a great option right now with the free shipping no minimum. I'm sure that'll go away before too long, but it's been nice during the pandemic.

2 minutes ago, amtrak23 said:

Probably not, FR is generally not a good deal.

To get around this issue I'll just send you a label and you can send the entire box full of them to me. Then you don't need to worry about all those shipping headaches. 

 

 

The boxes in my link above are the 1095 general purpose priority mail boxes. Flat rate postage is not required, just priority.

[Sauromosis]

5 minutes ago, amtrak23 said:

Probably not, FR is generally not a good deal.

To get around this issue I'll just send you a label and you can send the entire box full of them to me. Then you don't need to worry about all those shipping headaches. 

 

 

Thanks, man, that will help. I'll also include a personal check for any labor hours you spend unpacking them.

[amtrak23]

3 minutes ago, sauromosis said:

Thanks, man, that will help. I'll also include a personal check for any labor hours you spend unpacking them.

I'm allergic to paper, so just send your BTC and one slim jim

[Sauromosis]

2 minutes ago, amtrak23 said:

I'm allergic to paper, so just send your BTC and one slim jim

I only have gentlemen club coin these days, worth less than slim jim. 

[Jessekidd13]

Any good online shipping/packaging materials discounts running right now?  Usually use Staples, but can't find anything.

Jesse

[exciter1]

11 minutes ago, Jessekidd13 said:

Any good online shipping/packaging materials discounts running right now?  Usually use Staples, but can't find anything.

Jesse

I just ordered some from Staples. Didn’t have the time to wait for a coupon.

[longshot]

Has everyone been experiencing delays in shipment arrivals? I have a few packages that were shipped around last week of Nov that havent been delivered yet. The closer we get to Christmas the less likely an order will arrive on time. All of these are 1-3 day priority mailings.......... Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[zskid00]

The carriers, especially USPS, are dealing with record parcels.  I don't expect it to get any better in the next couple weeks and I will certainly cut off my Christmas shipping ahead of my original plan as a result.

[stackables]

I am waiting on a parcel fro IA that shipped on the 27th.  I just put in a "where is my mail request".  Probably should I just waited because usps is obviously back logged.  I sent a couple figures about an hour away from me (same state) and that is even taking several days.

[KShine]

FYI, the temporary USPS price increase ends on 12/27.

So if you are creating any labels today, you might want to select Monday as the ship date (to get the lower rates).

[ravenb99]

1 hour ago, KShine said:

FYI, the temporary USPS price increase ends on 12/27.

So if you are creating any labels today, you might want to select Monday as the ship date (to get the lower rates).

wonder if we lose the great service we paid for that starting Monday though?

[redghostx]

Question for experts: Do sets like Parisian Restaurant fit in a 4" deep box or do I need to go to a 6" box? I know that the larger sets are 4.5" in height so they won't fit anyhow and I assume that I need a 24x16x6 or similar to include both set sizes.

Thanks

[ravenb99]

3 hours ago, redghostx said:

Question for experts: Do sets like Parisian Restaurant fit in a 4" deep box or do I need to go to a 6" box? I know that the larger sets are 4.5" in height so they won't fit anyhow and I assume that I need a 24x16x6 or similar to include both set sizes.

Thanks

modulars fit in the 4",  personal preference and how far its going.  Generally if I made a lot I'll go to the 6" for more protection.  The 4 is pretty tight and if someone steps on the box most likely will dent.  

the 2" can be a price hit on the dim weight.

[redghostx]

modulars fit in the 4",  personal preference and how far its going.  Generally if I made a lot I'll go to the 6" for more protection.  The 4 is pretty tight and if someone steps on the box most likely will dent.  
the 2" can be a price hit on the dim weight.

Awesome thanks

[KShine]

FYI, USPS shipping rates are going up on 1/24.

So if you have any labels needing to be created, you might want to do it today.

Remember to select today as the ship date (to get the current rates) - if you select Monday you'll pay the higher rates.

Edited January 23, 2021 by KShine

[BrickSamurai]

Any preferred ship site for USPS as far as best bang for your $$$, like pirate ship vs paypal or ebay depending on the selling platforms?

Also, for UPS and FedEx direct B&M or online are the preferred way or are there any online sites that provide better pricing for these 2.

Please move if this question is in the wrong forum. Thanks

Thanks for any feedback

[Bricklectic]

Is anyone familiar with Custom duties importing in to the USA from Europe? I've imported under $800 with zavvi and others with no issues. Question is if order is a few grand, is there any duty owed? It's surprisingly difficult to research online.

[melting]

26 minutes ago, Bricklectic said:

Is anyone familiar with Custom duties importing in to the USA from Europe? I've imported under $800 with zavvi and others with no issues. Question is if order is a few grand, is there any duty owed? It's surprisingly difficult to research online.

I was recently considering buying a piece of artwork from Europe and was told this " All goods worth over $2,500 that are imported into the US require formal entry by US Customs and Border Protection and need to be assigned to a registered importer – which is you as the purchaser of this work.  The CBP Form 5106 is the Importer Identity Form. The US CBP uses that form to keep track of importers’ information, verify the identity of the importer, track their importing history, and ensure that they are abiding by all the laws for importing into the U.S. Once you submit this form, you will become known as an Importer of Record, which means that the process will be much quicker the next time you do this." Not sure if this applies to your situation.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2022-May/CBP Form 5106.pdf

Edited August 2, 2022 by melting

[Bricklectic]

Thanks @melting

If I understand correctly, each category import has it's own rules. So toys very well may differ from artwork. I came across some web info stating that toys are exempt from duties but did not see this on any official website.

[redcell]

10 minutes ago, Bricklectic said:

Thanks @melting

If I understand correctly, each category import has it's own rules. So toys very well may differ from artwork. I came across some web info stating that toys are exempt from duties but did not see this on any official website.

I looked at this issue years ago when I was buying more from overseas sellers.  I cannot recall the specifics, but I do know that I never worried about import duties and ordered from overseas pretty freely.  The largest orders I placed were in the $4k-$5k range and I was never assessed any import duties.

 

[jmdt]

Has anyone generated a label through USPS (priority mail), dropped it off at the post office (in the back where it is apparently monitored by camera 24/7) and then the package is lost? I shipped something on Saturday and just realized it is not in the system at all. I now realize that I should have taken a picture. Is there anything I can do? It is insured but if it not in the system am I screwed?

Update: apparently the USPS system was wrong. I was thankfully just informed that it arrived. Whew!

Edited January 21, 2023 by jmdt

[melting]

10 hours ago, jmdt said:

Has anyone generated a label through USPS (priority mail), dropped it off at the post office (in the back where it is apparently monitored by camera 24/7) and then the package is lost? I shipped something on Saturday and just realized it is not in the system at all. I now realize that I should have taken a picture. Is there anything I can do? It is insured but if it not in the system am I screwed?

Update: apparently the USPS system was wrong. I was thankfully just informed that it arrived. Whew!

Luckily at my local USPS they have a self serve kiosk that will let you scan a label prior to dropping it in the box. The kiosk will then print a receipt showing the tracking/date etc.