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Cheapest Way to Ship Watches from US Internationally

insurance shipping usps
MtV
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Hello everyone,

a question to the US members here who ship internationally from time to time: Does anyone have a trick / advise for affordable-ish rates?

I’m in the EU and I’ve provided shipping labels for US buddies before when they had a watch that was supposed to head my way. Not too long ago that was possible for ~40-50$.

Now I’m struggling to find anything for less than 200$ it seems. No absurd express, no high insurance needed. Happy for the parcel to take a week or two and to be insured for only 100$. Surely there’s gotta be an alternative?

Maybe I get different rates when surfing the websites of UPS.com, DHL.com etc from the EU…

So, if any of you has any advise I’d be grateful!
 
duc
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6 or 7 weeks ago I sent a 1lb parcel to the UAE from the US. The fee, with a couple grand of insurance was about $220. UPS added $90 or so for fuel surcharge.

I guess everyone gets to profit from the war.
 
Dan S
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I've shipped watches to Europe recently a couple of times, and IIRC it was more like $100 for Priority Mail Intl.
 
duc
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Dan S Dan S
I've shipped watches to Europe recently a couple of times, and IIRC it was more like $100 for Priority Mail Intl.
I agree they are cheaper. They take a bit longer and tracking stops once the parcel leaves the US. I definitely would have gone that route except I was sending a relatively expensive watch.
 
gbesq
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USPS international priority has worked for me. Never had a problem and definitely cheaper then the big guys
 
pdxleaf
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Just shipped to Zurich. DHL and UPS quoted around $200. USPS 3-5 day was $95. Could have been as low as $35 if I hadn't picked priority.
 
zetamajor
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Another vote here for USPS as most affordable for low value packages. Transfers to Royal Mail when arrives in the UK.
 
watch_my_six
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Another vote for USPS Priority International for under $100 and insured through Secursus for 1%.
 
MtV
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Thanks guys! That helps, will use USPS next time.
 
gbesq
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watch_my_six watch_my_six
Another vote for USPS Priority International for under $100 and insured through Secursus for 1%.
I wouldn’t recommend using Secursus for insurance. Use insurance for USPS.
 
Donn Chambers
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Shipping internationally has gotten crazy expensive in the last 6-7 years (unless you have some sort of business account). I don’t sell a lot of watches anymore and when I do, I don’t ship them internationally because I found that buyers just don’t want to pay an extra $100-200 on top of the sale price - I had several deals fall through when I told the potential buyer my shipping rates. Had a couple offer to ship via some cheap method that I was not familiar (or comfortable) with, and the del fell through. Now, I don’t bother.
 
rbob99
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I recently sold a watch to a buyer in Denmark and shipped via FedEx, which may not have been the best choice. FedEx informed me that shipping items valued over $2,500 internationally requires a special license, apparently one only professional freight forwarders hold. Fortunately the watch was valued at $2,400, so it wasn't an issue.

This was new to me. I've shipped watches worth more than $2,500 internationally several times since 2017 without running into this, though not in the past couple of years. I'm wondering if this is a recent development or if I'm missing something. Does anyone have experience with this $2,500 limit?
 
Mark020
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You declared full value? Interesting 😀
 
watch_my_six
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gbesq gbesq
I wouldn’t recommend using Secursus for insurance. Use insurance for USPS.
How come? And doesn't USPS cap insurance for watches at like $1000, unless using Registered Mail?
 
pdxleaf
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If you want full insurance, you need to declare full value.

I shipped USPS registered mail for a couple expensive watches. It's slower, but cheaper with insurance, at least, in my somewhat limited shipping experience. Registered mail is an option that might be overlooked.
 
watch_my_six
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
If you want full insurance, you need to declare full value.

I shipped USPS registered mail for a couple expensive watches. It's slower, but cheaper with insurance, at least, in my somewhat limited shipping experience. Registered mail is an option that might be overlooked.
Yes, but if declared through the shipper, the buyer will also be subject to import duties on that amount, which many buyers prefer otherwise.
 
gbesq
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watch_my_six watch_my_six
How come? And doesn't USPS cap insurance for watches at like $1000, unless using Registered Mail?
USPS priority international will insure up to $5,000. As for Secursus, I suggest that you read their terms carefully. In my opinion, it would be very difficult to comply with the terms and actually get paid for a loss. You may have a different opinion.
 
Dan S
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gbesq gbesq
USPS priority international will insure up to $5,000. As for Secursus, I suggest that you read their terms carefully. In my opinion, it would be very difficult to comply with the terms and actually get paid for a loss. You may have a different opinion.
The business about hiding the customs declaration under the shipping label (to avoid disclosing the package value) always makes me laugh. Good luck with that.
 
gbesq
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Dan S Dan S
The business about hiding the customs declaration under the shipping label (to avoid disclosing the package value) always makes me laugh. Good luck with that.
I remember that you and I discussed it, Dan. I thought that the terms were ridiculous.
 
watch_my_six
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gbesq gbesq
USPS priority international will insure up to $5,000. As for Secursus, I suggest that you read their terms carefully. In my opinion, it would be very difficult to comply with the terms and actually get paid for a loss. You may have a different opinion.
I'm generally aware of the skepticism towards them, but are there any terms you're specifically referring to?
 
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