This is dumb... but how do I send a small package overseas?

Question

There's a USPS office right across my house. So my qn is, do I just bring the item there, or must I already pack it properly.

Do they provide packaging service?(bubble wrap, small box etc).

Is there anything else, besides the item itself(please answer me does it need to be packaged or not), that I need to bring?(stamps, whatever?)

Answer 1

Not a dumb question at all.

**IMPORTANT** Fill out the Customs Form at the USPS.  They will affix it to the package.  Do not package anything fragile, hazardous or liquid.

Bring $$ obviously to pay for the shipment.

Box it up and secure it accordingly.  Customs officers will inspect it if they feel necessary.  The USPS will provide everything you need to ship the box, however it will be cheaper if you just find an old box lying around the house to ship it in.  You can also use crumbled up newspaper as padding instead of buying bubble wrap at the Post Office (its more economical and you're recycling newspaper).

The USPS will affix a sticker to your package which is the stamp - no need for you to bring stamps.  Pay $$ and they will stick a stamp on your box for you.

Answer 2

USPS will be less expensive, but if you want to be able to track it, try The UPS Store for international shipping.  They can pack it for you to comply with carrier standards.  This becomes important if the item is damaged during transit.  The Declared Value (like insurance) coverage for The UPS Stores assumes proper packaging if the packages is store packed.

UPS provides Customs Brokers for International shipping with all services except Canada Standard.  UPS will be a higher price than the Post Office, but it also provides door to door service instead of handing off to the receiving countries postal service.

and Yes, I own a The UPS Store, and do International shipping all the time for my customers.

Answer 3

It will be cheaper if you pack it your self. Most USPS will sell you the box and packing materials, but you still pack it your self. At some of the Larger USPS. They will pack it for you, but it will cost you.

Answer 4

U.S. Post office. It must be packaged and addressed. Although they do have boxes, bubble envelopes, etc for sale there.

UPS, FedEx, etc.Just take the product to them.

They will wrap, package, etc.

  All you need is an address to send it to and a return address.

Answer 5

HAVE A PACKED BUT NOT TO SEALED IF THEY NEED TO CHECK WHAT IT IS THEN BRING CASH AND YOUR SET.

Answer 6

This isn't a dumb question... how the h**l are you supposed to know if you've never done it before?

Just go to the post office... they will have boxes and bubble wrap and tape and postage.. everything you need in other words and some of them even package it for you. Make sure that if the item you are mailing is sort of expensive you ask for insurance.. my dad mailed me his lap top so I could help him with some stuff and he got the insurance. He just took the lap top and they packaged it and everything for him.. all he did was bring it and write the addresses.

Good luck.  Make sure you bring cash

Answer 7

Just bring the items and cash. Other problem will be taken care by the USPS.