Question: Shipping from US to abroad

[bookknurd]

To anyone who lives in the US and has shipped gifts abroad, which shipping service do you recommend using (i.e. USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc)?

I've never sent anything out of the country and have no idea what to use.

Thanks!

[karen4bells]

I guess it would all depend on how large or valuable your item(s) is/are that you are sending. I've only ever used USPS to send overseas from US and have had good luck with them to date!

[Wen]

Well, I am an "abroad person", and maybe you have something usefull from "our" perspective!

USPS is best for me. Why?
1. The times something went missing was with the other companies you mention.
2. If you send something with USPS, when it reach my country (The Netherlands) our country's "local" (maybe nation company) takes over to deliver it to me. When not at home, they will try again and after that take it to a local point where I have to go to, to get it. Those points are always near your home. The other companies try one time, and take it back to their depot. You have to get it from there. And those depots are terrible far away. For example I would have to drive 45 minutes (single trip, so in total 1 and a half hour) to get it. And I live in big city's part of the country. Where my parents live, I don't even want to think about how far they would have to go.

So, maybe these points is something to keep in mind also.

[kiwirach]

Well, I am an "abroad person", and maybe you have something usefull from "our" perspective!

USPS is best for me. Why?
1. The times something went missing was with the other companies you mention.
2. If you send something with USPS, when it reach my country (The Netherlands) our country's "local" (maybe nation company) takes over to deliver it to me. When not at home, they will try again and after that take it to a local point where I have to go to, to get it. Those points are always near your home. The other companies try one time, and take it back to their depot. You have to get it from there. And those depots are terrible far away. For example I would have to drive 45 minutes (single trip, so in total 1 and a half hour) to get it. And I live in big city's part of the country. Where my parents live, I don't even want to think about how far they would have to go.

So, maybe these points is something to keep in mind also.

Yes, point two is the same in the UK as well.

[mrcrosses]

I ship aboard for my business and it all depends on how fast you want it to get there and how much you want to pay. USPS is not my friend at all but they have the best prices on the whole so I use them and I always insure so that I can file a claim if something happens. In the 12 years in business only had to file 2 claims.

[bookknurd]

Thanks for the help everyone. I am always wary of USPS because I hate dealing with them (our government employees have the worst attitudes, usually), but it seems like they are the ones to go with in this case.

[rcperryls]

I also use USPS for anything overseas and have had no trouble, that I know of. If you are worried you can get your package insured. I've never done that but it is an option.

Carole

[Squirrel]

I love it when packages come from UPS because they always get here much quicker than with anyone else.