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Originally Posted by foreverflash
Sorry. I struggled with deciding where to put this thread. Thanks for putting it in the right place. As for USPS; unfortunately, they are the primary (and sometimes only) choice for carrier when shipping international if you don't want to spend a fortune am I correct? So as difficult as they may be and as untrustworthy (which they are) I and others are forced to use them more than we'd like to. I'm just glad I at least understand now what is and isn't available when I ship international using USPS. At least I can give a buyer all the correct information now...
Symphony, do you see a more viable option in FedEx, UPS or DHL? From what I understand they generally charge a lot more for international. I know they have better services, especially DHL. And all of them offer full tracking and real insurance but at what cost? 50$ at USPS vs 100 at DHL for a 10 lb package?
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Speaking as an international buyer, I prefer USPS to just about any other service. Packages shipped using UPS and FedEx often come with massive brokerage fees that the buyer needs to pay when picking up the package, depending on the UPS / FedEx service chosen.
As far as tracking goes, this is what the USPS website says when outlining the features of international Priority Mail shipments:
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Track your shipment online. Note: Tracking is not available for the Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope or the Small Flat Rate Box.
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The fact that there is a special format for Express Mail International and Priority Mail International goes to confirm that,
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Express Mail International®: EC 000 000 000 US
Priority Mail International™: CP 000 000 000 US
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