International trade guide

[Millwallads]

Hey guys, I've initiated a trade with someone international. I'm from England, UK, and the guy lives in California.

I used to have a bookmarked International guide, but I've lost it.

If anyone feels like it could they guide me on:

Optimum packaging, what boxes are useful to use.
What kind of forms etc I'll need
What business to use to ship internationally
The fees I'm going to be looking at.

Regards,

Adam.

[Millwallads]

zzz no tips, BUMP!

[ccs]

Boxes - Those white card boxes work fine for "normal" size figures. Though depending upon what forms need to be applied you might want to use the slightly larger sizes.
Pack it well & put any cards in sleaves.

Shipping - FedEx, & UPS are both reliable & reach most places in the world. Even CA. And you can track the shipment.
Or you could ship it standard - though it'll take longer. And likely be un-trackable.

Cost - FEX & UPS will be expensive. Standard?? Either air or boat? No idea, I don't ship from England. I've gotten things from you guys now & then, but I've not looked at the postage.

Forms - Likely a customs form. Wanting to know what's in it, it's value, etc.

[Millwallads]

Hi CCS thanks for the reply!

Yeah, I figured as much about FEX & UPS being the most reliable yet more expensive option. I don't care too much about fees, I just want the most cost/time effective method. I'm aware air shipping will be the best, so I'm definitely going to go ahead.

Will a normal Heroclix booster box be suitable for shipping internationally? If I stuff well and put in 5-6 figures and wrap each figure individually, will it be acceptable?

Regards,

Adam.

[AlienFlanders]

Hi CCS thanks for the reply!

Will a normal Heroclix booster box be suitable for shipping internationally? If I stuff well and put in 5-6 figures and wrap each figure individually, will it be acceptable?

Regards,

Adam.

I'm overseas, and have received figures (well wrapped) in a booster box, they landed okay.

Personally I prefer the card boxes for more expensive clix, the box offers more crush protection with either packing peanuts or bubble wrap, newspaper wrapping can provide interesting reading for OS people as well:laugh:

And for the Customs slip, Plastic Game Pieces, Gift, and the quoted value under approximately $5-$10 per piece.

[JDKenada]

And for the Customs slip, Plastic Game Pieces, Gift, and the quoted value under approximately $5-$10 per piece.

Most countries you can put a value up to 20 dollars and it will slip by customs going off of this advice. As for shipping, small packet air is the going "standard" for trades/sales.

[ccs]

Will a normal Heroclix booster box be suitable for shipping internationally? If I stuff well and put in 5-6 figures and wrap each figure individually, will it be acceptable?


I'D never ship that way....

Afterall, if you're not concerned with what FedEx would charge to get it there? Why wouldn't you invest in a proper box & packing material?

Also consider what can happen to things in transit (no matter the carrier). Now multiply that by at least two as it ships around your country, then mine. The shoddier the packing, the greater the odds against it. A real box stands a better chance of survival every time.

[Smudge]

Will a normal Heroclix booster box be suitable for shipping internationally? If I stuff well and put in 5-6 figures and wrap each figure individually, will it be acceptable?

I'D never ship that way....

Afterall, if you're not concerned with what FedEx would charge to get it there? Why wouldn't you invest in a proper box & packing material?

Also consider what can happen to things in transit (no matter the carrier). Now multiply that by at least two as it ships around your country, then mine. The shoddier the packing, the greater the odds against it. A real box stands a better chance of survival every time.

Agreed. I, myself, don't consider booster boxes to be sturdy enough to ship in.

[Millwallads]

Okay thanks guys

I'm shipping out in my Blackberry phone box. It's a tough, small-ish box that seals up well. I've packed the figures in a wrapping of special kitchen paper to protect it.

I've got polystyrene laid upon the bottom of the box to protect it, placed the figures atop the layer of polystyrene then covered in tissue paper bunched up to seal it up.

I've not got packing peanuts, bubble wrap or baggies unfortunately.

Hope that will suffice, lol!