International Shipping of ebay auctions advice needed?

[Polonius]

I'm shipping some trading cards that I sold on eBay to france, and while international first class is actually pretty reasonable, I'm worried about mailing a $250 ebay auction without tracking or deliverty confirmation. My question is, should I simply tell the guy it's a $30 international priority, or take the risk of shipping it $15 first class. I know for domestic stuff, all a buyer on ebay has to do is claim he never got his item, and if there is no tracking or confirmation, the seller is screwed. Is that the same for international stuff?

[JohnHwangBT]

For a $250 lot, I'd pay the $30 for signature / tracking.

[orctez]

Will the cards fit in a Fedex/UPS envelope or pak? Those companies have reliable international shipping with delivery confirmation and tracking. the shipping charge can be higher than the USPS, but an envelope or pak might be an affordable option.

Art

[HarlequinZero]

I'd go for the $30 dollar rate with tracking and insurance. Also, make sure the guy knows that a $250.00 package is going to incur SUBSTANTIAL import duties going into France. Continental Europe likes to talk the talk when it comes to free trade, but they tax the living crap out of anything coming into the country. I wouldn't be at all surprised if a $250 dollar package was hit with like $50 dollars in duties. Make sure he knows you aren't responsible for those duties and that you won't fudge the customs papers for him. (That would invalidate your insurance.)

[HarlequinZero]

Will the cards fit in a Fedex/UPS envelope or pak? Those companies have reliable international shipping with delivery confirmation and tracking. the shipping charge can be higher than the USPS, but an envelope or pak might be an affordable option.

Art

They'd fit, but I know FedEx caps the value of those letters and paks at $100 for insurance. UPS might have better deals. I'm not familiar with them.

[Norseman]

Always... ALWAYS!!! spend a little more for shipping if it means you are covered on a high value shipment.

An FYI...

In most European countries it doesn't matter if you mark it a gift or not...They still nail the person with an import customs fee. Based on the insurance value.

[MagickalMemories]

What did you say in the auction about international buyers?

Eric