posted on December 28, 2000 06:17:06 AM new
Hi all, I've seen some threads about the pros and cons of insuring international, I have a pretty delicate porcelain piece I'm getting ready to send to the UK. It is light enough to go small packet air, which is not eligible for insurance through the USPS. My question is this, are there any companies that will insure international packages? Upic doesn't, nor does Webtradeinsure. I don't know of any others. Any guidance?
Ps, I'm already planning on looking into that "dealer's" policy previously mentioned. Would that cover international?
Thanks in advance!
posted on December 28, 2000 06:27:05 AM new
I would get in touch with the PO as there should be a way to insure it.I rarely have problems with items going to and from the UK.
If its not too expensive you may just want to take the risk as it takes forever to get a refund.
I think you may want to send it registered as that I think is insured automatically for 500.00Its more expensive but maybe the way to go.
posted on December 28, 2000 06:35:30 AM new
It is insurable if I want to tack another 10 dollars on just for shipping! Small Packet air costs 9.00, can't insure through USPS, takes 4-7 days. Parcel Post air costs 19.83, without insurance, also takes 4-7 days. Add 2.50 for insurance and that makes for quite a difference! My buyer balked at the shipping cost. I am not marking it up at all either!
And here they are raising rates on top of all this!!!!
posted on December 28, 2000 06:57:57 AM new
I'm confused--I thought Upic DID insure international shipments? I haven't gotten my start-up packet yet, though, so I can't be sure--but I seem to remember Candi at Upic saying international shipments were insured at the rate of 45 cents per hundred???
posted on December 28, 2000 07:05:21 AM new
I've insured internationally through U-PIC. But international insurance may be only for customers who've signed up for one of the programs, rather than the one-off online insurance. And there is a list of countries that U-PIC will NOT insure. The UK shouldn't be a problem.
posted on December 28, 2000 07:13:46 AM new
I just tried to call them, they are closed til the 1st of the year. I think you do have to be signed up with them in order to get international. I was checking the online ordering, it definitely does NOT insure international.
Are there any other providers, or is UPIC the best?
Thanks again everyone!
posted on December 28, 2000 10:30:58 AM new
You can insure small packets being shipped internationally...but for some reason which isn't clear, USPS calls it "registration", but it is actually insurance against loss or breakage. The last time I shipped to UK, it was either 6.00 or 6.20...which is still rather expensive for low cost items.
Ed. to add: Don't be surprised if your window clerk doesn't know what you're talking about...you may have to talk to your postmaster.
posted on December 28, 2000 01:12:44 PM new
I have had packages sent to me insured before, and I am sure it would cover breakage too, but only if it was the post office's fault for breakage. I recently had someone ship a china figurine with a metal badge, loose, inside the box with the figurine. DOH! It got broken (of course), and there is no way the PO will pay out for that kind of stuff. I have other breakable stuff shipped too, that has arrived in perfect order. Pack it well, insure for your piece of mind, and cross your fingers.
posted on December 28, 2000 02:42:11 PM new
I insure international shipments with U-PIC all the time. 45 cents per $100 value.
There are several programs- but I'm on the occasional use "stamp" program, and international is included. So I believe that all their programs include international insurance.
I've found it very easy, and a huge time saver. I pre-paid a certain amount of insurance, and I get a bunch of postage-like stamps in return. Each is good for $100 in inusrance coverage. They also send you an Excel spreadsheet template you use to record the items you insure.
So when I choose to insure a shipment, I throw in a half-page note I created telling the buyer that the shipment is insured through U-Pic, and including the link (I do this because most folks expect to see the USPS insurance tag on the outside, and I don't want pissed off buyers).
Then I include a line in my excel spreadsheet- takes about 15 seconds.
Once a week, U-Pic wants me to email the spreadsheed to Candi (this is to ensure that an unscrupulous user doesn't belatedly add an item as insured that he really didn't insure, I guess). Once a month, I print out the spreadsheet and snail mail the spreadsheet and the appropriate number of stamps back to U-Pic.
posted on December 28, 2000 04:05:00 PM new
Thank you all so much! I will sign up with Upic, that stamp thing that Magazineguy was talking about sounds like just the ticket!
Everyone here is so helpful...
Thanks!
