Finding cheap worldwide parcel postage

[mtbc]

I often want to send a parcel overseas but also do not want to have to pay much more than necessary to do so, especially not more than the value of the parcel's contents, and in calculating payable duty some countries' customs agencies include shipping cost. So, I typically opt for surface mail. Last time I did so, the interaction was not what I am used to: that economy rate was not even offered in the post office worker's verbal summary and, when I enquired about it, they added it but clearly thought anybody would be crazy to try it. On the receipt I noticed they had handwritten 42 days, clearly either still amazed that anybody would tolerate such a delay or just wanting to cover themselves if I came back in a month to complain of non-arrival. For so many things in life, my patience is measured in rather more than days.

One downside of my move from Scotland to Tennessee is that the USPS ended their comparable economy parcel service many years ago. I wonder if any cheap retail alternatives have now become conveniently accessible or if I will end up paying for needless air travel to send packages to friends and family overseas. I shall be motivated to try: the latest package that I sent far from here cost me just over £10 to ship but the cheapest USPS service would have cost me over $40, causing me to simply not bother. Though Canada Post do offer an economy option, it would not be worth accumulating backlog: they are not as cheap as Royal Mail and this time I am to live further south than previously.

Comments

[wpadmirer]

Shipping overseas is SO expensive. I had purchased six Gator (University of Florida) face masks for a friend in The Netherlands (her request). She was an exchange student here when I ran the programs. It was nearly $40 to ship six facemasks.

[james]

I don't know about their international rates, but for domestic US shipping I use pirateship.com and I tend to save a dollar or two sending boxes. Basically you get the bulk-business rate and access to the third class package rate that the USPS won't tell you still exists.