Can cels/books/magazine be shipped via Global Priority Mail?

Sugarflower · Post by **Sugarflower** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:07 pm

I've been researching the many different shipping methods to find which is the cheapest I can send items internationally and with tracking/delivery confirmation. I'm really confused on the matter since I can't seem to understand or even find the information I want to know from the usps.com site. Has anyone here used it before?

#1) I want to know if I use this service, instead of EMS and Airmail, what type of packaging is acceptable? I know USPS has their own packaging you can use but I normally ship cels using thick cardboard for protection. Am I allowed to use cardboard or is it a requirment to use a Global Priority box/envelope (I don't think they make them the sizes I need for cels, etc.)

#2) Does this service provide adding tracking/delivery confirmation to the package like regular domestic Priority mail does?

#3) I know USPS can be picky about certain ways the packages have to 'look'. Do you know if I can use regular clear tape or do I have to the brown paper tape for the packaging?

I really appreciate any help given.

vampyreshoujo · Post by **vampyreshoujo** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:38 pm

I shipped a package out via Global Priority about a week ago reusing one of Mandarake's cardboard boxes and sealed it with clear packing tape, and they accepted it without a problem.

As far as I know, there's only a size restriction when it comes to Global Priority. I came close to going over it once, and they had to measure my box. Unfortunately, I don't remember what the limit is...

Also, I believe they can only track the package while it's still in the US. Once it's out, they can't track it anymore.

But I might be mistaken about this.

Ashura · Post by **Ashura** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:53 pm

1) Thick Cardboards are fine, but if you can see the item through the clear tape, then no. Then you would have to use the brown tape. But if you package it like stephen, with a cover envelope over your cardboards, then clear tape is fine.

2) There's tracking for Priority and EMS, none of the others do, as far as I can tell. As for other shipping methods, it really depends on the country you are sending it to. I've had instances where I didn't have a choice to send it GPM, just EMS, airmail and parcel post (parcel post is the cheapest, but your package could take up to 4 to 6 weeks to arrive). Some countries, you can't even insure the package. Next time you go to www.usps.com, follow the "calculate postage", go through the motions and pretend like you are sending it, it'll walk you through all the options it has for whichever country you are sending it to. Really simple

3) As long as it doesn't have logos and such on the package, the post office is fine with it. If your package has logos, then just black them out with a marker (they have posters at the post office depicting it). Other than giving them a bashed up box, the post office will accept almost anything

(or maybe your local post office has a bunch of numb nuts working there, cause I just met one a month ago, so now I let people pass me so I wouldn't have to deal with the idiot

.)

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:53 pm

I will check it out later.

majinuub · Post by **majinuub** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 4:02 pm

1-I'm sure cardboards are fine as long as writing on the box or the item isn't seen.

2-There is no tracking provided for GPM so whenever I ship outside the country, I always purchase a cirtificate of autheticity. It's does'nt provide tracking, but it's at least proof that I mailed it out. I keep the receipt as well.

3- I recall using clear scotch tape to tape one of my packages up and nothing was said when it was mailed so I guess it's ok

. Brown tape is fine too.

Sugarflower · Post by **Sugarflower** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 6:09 pm

Thanks for the help everyone. I may stick to GPM then. I was using airmail for some of my ebay auctions but unfortunately that didn't really show 'proof'
that I had sent items. Since I accept paypal for my auctions I want to be protected in case someone tries to say the package was never sent to them. So I want the proof of packages sent but also want to give the buyers the cheapest shipping available.

majinuub wrote:2-There is no tracking provided for GPM so whenever I ship outside the country, I always purchase a cirtificate of autheticity. It's does'nt provide tracking, but it's at least proof that I mailed it out. I keep the receipt as well.

I read on the USPS site about the certificate but was still confused, lol. I'm glad you made this comment about it. So this would at least be proof that the item was sent?

RoboFlonne · Post by **RoboFlonne** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 6:45 pm

Hi! Global Priority doesn't show proof really.

About 1 out of every 20 items I send to the UK get's lost using Global Priority.

But I love the UK so I do it anyways!

Also, Paypal does not cover it unless you have an ONLINE TRACKABLE number PLUS only if you are shipping to a PAYPAL CONFIRMED address.

But 30% of my UK/Ireland Customers have no way to confirm their address because their credit cards are FOREIGN and NOT VERIABLE BY PAYPAL.

So only ship Global Priority if you don't mind loosing 5% of your mail.

However, I ship 95% of all my items Global priority!

majinuub · Post by **majinuub** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 6:46 pm

It cost about $.95
I was told many times by people at the PO that if I'm mailing global priority, it's the only way to provide evidence that the package was sent.

majinuub · Post by **majinuub** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 6:56 pm

RoboFlonne wrote:Hi! Global Priority doesn't show proof really.

About 1 out of every 20 items I send to the UK get's lost using Global Priority.

But I love the UK so I do it anyways!

Also, Paypal does not cover it unless you have an ONLINE TRACKABLE number PLUS only if you are shipping to a PAYPAL CONFIRMED address.

But 30% of my UK/Ireland Customers have no way to confirm their address because their credit cards are FOREIGN and NOT VERIABLE BY PAYPAL.

So only ship Global Priority if you don't mind loosing 5% of your mail.

However, I ship 95% of all my items Global priority!

That really sucks

. So far I thankfully had no trouble when it came to GP mailing.

RoboFlonne · Post by **RoboFlonne** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 7:47 pm

Hi! It proves you sent it. But Paypal doesn't care if you sent it.

Paypal only wants the proof that it arrived.

So Global priority doesn't protect you from paypal chargebacks-su!