Mail & Shipping - Recommendations, Questions, and Answers

Thanks for the heads-up 🙂

Quick question—has anyone ever actually filed a formal claim when a package gets stuck at US Customs? It’s sitting there for two months now for no reason at all—there's nothing in there even worth taxing, honestly—but it's just stalled. I've done my homework online and called both USPS and Customs, but they're just pointing fingers at each other. They keep telling me to file a claim, but I'm wondering what the actual outcome looks like... does it eventually get released to its destination, or do they just send it back to me? Basically, does anyone know how this whole claims process actually plays out?

Can someone give me a quick rundown on how to send something COD (cash on delivery)? What specific info am I going to need to provide? Thanks 🙂

Does anyone happen to know roughly how much it would cost to send a bubble mailer (22x17cm, about 40-80 grams) overseas—to the EU, the US, or Asia—using USPS? I'm looking at standard shipping, nothing registered or tracked.

I'm having a hard time navigating the USPS international rate sheet. They mostly just list prices for letters and packages. Where does a bubble mailer actually fall? It’s a bit padded, so it definitely doesn't look like a flat letter, but I don't think it's fair to pay full package rates for something that isn't a box.

Maybe some of you eBay sellers have dealt with this before.

Also, do I need to show the postal clerk what's inside the envelope before I send it off?

Rebecca Reed3 said:Does anyone happen to know off the top of their head roughly how much it would cost me to send a bubble mailer (about 6.5x8.5 inches, maybe 1.5 to 3 ounces) overseas—like to the EU, the US, or Asia—through the USPS? I'm not looking for registered mail or anything fancy, just standard shipping...

I'm totally lost looking at the USPS price list for international shipping. They basically only list prices for letters and packages. So, where does a bubble mailer actually fall? It’s a bit padded, so it definitely doesn't look like a flat letter, but I don't think it'd be fair to have to pay full package rates like I'm sending a heavy box.

It's probably a letter...
Maybe those of you who sell stuff on eBay have some experience with this.

Also, do they actually make you show them what's inside the envelope before you can ship it?

Probably a letter...

Zachary Peterson6 said:The letter...

Man, thanks 👍

The price list shows it's just $2.75 😲
Is it actually that cheap to mail an envelope halfway across the world?
I know it sounds like a silly question, but I'm honestly surprised and a little worried if that's the real price. 😁

Meanwhile, packages are pricey.

Edit: It probably is, since it's only 50g. The heavier stuff costs more.
Oh, fantastic. :roll_eyes:

That letter looks pretty suspicious to me—honestly, there's a decent chance it just vanishes within those $2.75 days.

quietfox384 said:That letter looks sketchy as hell, and there's a solid chance it just vanishes within those $2.75.

Even a certified package can go missing, but at least you can claim compensation for that. If it's just standard mail, it disappears and you're screwed—nobody pays out. Carmen, if you're just sending a postcard or a quick note, sure, go for it. But if anything important is in there, send it certified. It’ll cost you about $8.25. 🍿

quietfox384 said:That letter seems pretty sketchy, and there's a good chance it just vanishes during those $2.75.

Hmm, I didn't weigh it, maybe it's up to 10 ounces
I bet it's not heavier than when I grab 10 ounces of cheese at Walmart😳
They probably weigh it before they ship it

$2.75 it's up to 50g
$5.00 it's 50-100 g

Grace Sanders24 said:Even a certified shipment can go missing, but at least you can get reimbursed if it does. Regular mail? It just disappears and you're out of luck. Carmen, if you're just sending a postcard or a quick note, regular is fine, but if it's anything important, send it certified. It'll cost you about $8.25. 🍿

thx

I didn't realize letters went missing that often😢

Rebecca Reed3 said:thx

I didn't realize letters went missing that often.😢

But yeah, unfortunately, it happens. I'm not saying it's constant, but I honestly don't know what's going on with them. If you're moving a lot of volume and running a business, I get why paying for certified mail feels too expensive. It also depends on what's inside; customs inspections have stepped up quite a bit lately for anything heading outside the EU.🤔

Grace Sanders24 said:>>Unfortunately, it can happen. I'm not saying it's common, but I just don't know what's going on. If you have a ton of those shipments and you're running a business, I get why paying the standard shipping rates feels too expensive. It also depends on what's inside, because lately, customs has been cracking down more on everything being sent outside the EU.🤔

thanks
I'll see

It's nothing bad inside, and it isn't expensive, though it's not exactly a letter☕
Hopefully they won't give me trouble if they open it and find it's not a letter
I could always slip a little note in there, though😁

Nah, you don't need that. Honestly, people all over the world ship stuff in bubble mailers all the time. I once sent an item all the way to Australia in a simple bubble wrap envelope and just grabbed a tracking number at the post office. It arrived there without a single hiccup! Just make sure you've got a Customs Declaration (CN22) stuck on the outside of the envelope. You don't even have to bother buying one at the USPS; just find the form online, fill it out, print it, sign it, and slap it on.

Andrew Sullivan46, thanks 👍

I was at a Walmart in Washington, D.C. the other day and noticed they’ve installed a package locker on the premises. Could someone walk me through how this all works? For instance, if I order something online and want it delivered directly to that locker, what specific address should I be using? Also, what’s the process if I’m the one sending something out? I saw a keypad near the units—do I just punch in a PIN to get my compartment to pop open? Sorry if these sound like rookie questions, but I’m pretty much a complete novice when it comes to these kinds of posts...

wirednomad6 said:I was at a Walmart in Washington, D.C. and noticed they installed a locker there.

I'm curious about how this is going to work too. It seems like they're just in the implementation phase and haven't fully launched yet. 🤔

And I think the ones at Walmart are using FedEx 🤔

The only thing I don't get is why the USPS terms of service for lockers state that the recipient is required to at all times and continuously ensure they have a working mobile devicewith an active cellular data connection>

when all they really need is a PIN or a barcode.

When I send packages via the post office, the clerk at the counter can just scan the barcode from my email even if my phone is offline. I'm pretty sure any barcode can be scanned offline. You could even print the email and scan the paper version (like the instructions for those daily deals)... so I don't know if these USPS lockers are somehow different and actually require you to be online during scanning, or if they just don't know what they're writing in their own fine print.

Shipments are delivered via the locker to the person who enters a PIN or scans a barcode from their mobile device to open the locker compartment.

They wrote it like you have to type the PIN into your phone, but it would make more sense if you just view the PIN on your phone and then manually enter it on the locker's screen 🤔 (hopefully that's what they meant), which wouldn't require you to be constantly online either.

The local shipping service wrote it much more normally for their lockers:

The user receives an SMS or email with a unique PIN and QR code to open the compartment, allowing them to pick up the shipment at any time by scanning the QR code or entering the PIN on the locker screen.

By manually entering the PIN or scanning the QR code at the locker, the compartment will open...

Anyway, I know I'm overthinking this (I tend to complicate things) since you guys don't know why these little details matter to me. 😢

locker terms of service

This post is pretty strange; now I’ve got even more questions on my mind! 😂😂 Just kidding, though. I really hope someone here actually uses these lockers for sending and receiving packages. To me, it seems like a fantastic setup since I’m not always home when a delivery shows up. I also know that the USPS offers personal mailboxes where other carriers can drop things off too. From what I’ve read, that service is actually free. Honestly, I’m still not quite sure what the practical difference is between all these options.

Hey there! I noticed nobody is talking about this. Apparently, USPS just hiked their shipping rates, and the increase is absolutely insane. I can't find the specific Facebook post right now, but for packages that used to run around $23, we're suddenly looking at $40.

Does anyone have any intel on international rates? All the info I've seen so far only covers domestic shipping within the States...

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You can head over to their website to calculate exactly what it'll cost to ship your package.

quietfox384 said:You can actually calculate the shipping costs directly on their website.

If only they possessed even a shred of technical literacy and bothered to update their site—or that "calculator" of theirs.

I just stumbled upon this, though it's hardly my first mention of the subject:

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And this:

The package costs more if you don't buy their specific box. One slap in the face for "supporting the environment."🙄

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