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I'm in Canada, not the US but I find purchasing items from the UK reaches me faster and with less customs and duty than when I purchase from the US. I haven't used Swiss Post. Usually anything from the UK comes by Royal Mail. Swiss Post seems odd to me, is that a courier company?
I order with international shipping and the few things that came via Swiss post were delayed took a longer time than Royal mail UK, but sometimes even british mail is slow. Not sure why as the EU is its neighbours.
I’m not sure why something that originated here in the UK would be coming via Swiss Post - have you seen that info on a specific store’s web site or something?
Obviously I’m experiencing things the other way round but I do send things to the US and Canada from time to time - airmail usually takes about a week from me sending it to the recipient getting it and as Christine suggested, that’s with Royal Mail.
She uses Asendia. I assume that is a service similar to fed ex or UPS maybe. There is a $4.50 shipping charge to US. That seemed awfully low to me but I've never purchased outside US. Thank you all for your input.
She uses Asendia. I assume that is a service similar to fed ex or UPS maybe. There is a $4.50 shipping charge to US. That seemed awfully low to me but I've never purchased outside US. Thank you all for your input.
I�d never heard of them so just googled - they�re apparently a joint venture between Swiss Post and La Poste (the French mail system) with a focus on international ecommerce. $4.50 does sound low but they may well be able to adopt various business strategies to keep costs down. Does she offer any information about expected shipping times?
Least expensive international shipping to worldwide are 2 ladies in Japan see https://cutethingsfromjapan.com I ordered yesterday first time after finding them by lucky chance. I always look up a shop history, they did Etsy and there are lots of hauls to see on Youtube.I bought a small order few washi tapes, cards, passport size notebook insert. And the mail postage cost usd 2.00 no tracking.
I�d never heard of them so just googled - they�re apparently a joint venture between Swiss Post and La Poste (the French mail system) with a focus on international ecommerce. $4.50 does sound low but they may well be able to adopt various business strategies to keep costs down. Does she offer any information about
expected shipping times?
Yes it was like three weeks longer than air mail. Since I'm not in a hurry that is okay. Do you know if there are customs forms to fill out when the package arrives? The items I'm looking at don't total more than $15US
I order from England a lot...just got in a Crafty Individuals, but I am a big fan of LOTV (who ships free over 10 pounds but other companies also offer deals) It takes time...I want to say 2-3 weeks. I agree about checking the conversion rates so you dont get a nasty surprise.
I love ordering from Canada because the conversion is in our favor! Also a couple weeks. But I am never in a rush.
I just feel more comfortable with strong established companies myself. I am not adventurous to try an unknown internationally. I might do that domestically.
There is another option...many internationals have US retailers carrying them.
Topflight carries a bunch. Simon Says carries some. A Cherry on top has some...there are more. You can always ask them if they have a seller here.
Different tip-I dont know if you have bought international before but double check the measurements!! I got so burned once on a beautiful die but it was twice the size I would ever use so it had to go back. I keep a conversion list now by the computer.
Yes it was like three weeks longer than air mail. Since I'm not in a hurry that is okay. Do you know if there are customs forms to fill out when the package arrives? The items I'm looking at don't total more than $15US
Sounds like they might be using surface mail. I don't know what your duty limits are - the seller will have to stick a label on the package that declares what's inside and the value. Whether there's anything to pay your end will depend on your local rules (our level here in the UK is very low, I think yours is much better and $15 should be fine but somebody with local knowledge should be able to tell you what the US threshold is).
I was spoiled by having a MIL who was fine with me shipping to her in England, then getting the stuff when we visited, but she passed away in December, so it's not going to be that easy anymore.
We'd get there and she'd pull out my box and it was like Christmas!
Try finding a definitive answer to whether you can or cannot take homemade cheese crackers into the UK! Cookies, I was pretty sure I was OK, but the cheese crackers ran awfully close to "NO cheese". (The customs agent in London looked at me like I was nuts- "you don't have to declare crackers & cookies- go over there!" I have to laugh, DH & I were the only ones who went in his "Items to Declare" line. Apparently, he has an easy job.) We were flying in the day before Mum's funeral, and the baked goods were for the luncheon after. I was SO relieved when everything went smoothly!
I have something similar my tale of virginia smoked cured salted ham no one at my local customs dept. could really explain why a virginia smoked salted cured ham is seen as similar to....... and is not allowed entry.
I've purchased from Sweden, Malaysia (took about 100 years), and from several shops in the UK, The process in the U.K. has been no different than in the U.S. Some shops in the UK automatically convert the cost to U.S. dollars. One time my order arrived faster than when items are shipped from within the U.S., under a week.
I forgot to say my first buy on Ebay was from England! I didnt realize internationals would be mixed in with everyone else. What nice people-from a coastal town and a tiny retailer-might have been in her garage? So I learned early on about conversion rates and fees in Paypal.
@ Contrapat-sorry about your mum. ((hugs)) Both my parents have been gone for 20 years now. I can still hear my mother's voice telling me her opinion on things. LOL
I had some fun trying to bring my wedding cake back from England to Canada. My fabulous MIL had made me a fruit cake that she'd fed for months. She had made a layer for me to take back for our reception. Customs argued with each other! One said it was fruit and couldn't come with me and the other decided that after being dried, cooked and soaked in booze for over 3 months, there was no way I was going to be planting the fruit in the cake. When I told them I was going to offer the cake to everyone going through security if it wasn't coming with me, they let me take it.
@ CnDnStamper ROTHFL!! As a gardener-that is VERY funny-planting a fruit cake! That a great start to my day today-I will be chuckling all day! Your answer to them was good too! :lol:
I bought my original size TH stamp positioner from the UK. It was somewhat delayed but arrived in good shape. Now I’m looking for this stamp positioner, Stamp Easy by Vaessen. No clue if it will be sold here so I’m checking out overseas sources.https://m.
Buying International
