Shipping Shipping price from United States to United Kingdom

You don't say what service is being used but it seems like a reasonable price to me. The usual ways of shipping from the US to us here in the UK are either by Priority which is cheaper and only trackable once the parcel reaches us, or by EMS which is more expensive but quicker and fully trackable. Depending on the size of your parcel and where in the US it's been sent from, I think that charge is right. Check your seller's feedback if you're worried.

 

You can estimate the cost of parcels from the US via USPS here. $28 sounds about right, and if you'd rather pay less for shipping you can always ask if they'll send it by first class instead of priority.

 

From the basic calculations I put in on the official U.S. website for Priority Mail shipping to the U.K. that does seem to be around right. Did they state that comes with insurance and/or delivery confirmation? Unless I knew the exact weight and demensions of the box I couldn't give a 100% direct quote. But I have shipped many packages of different sizes to the U.K. and it really isn't very cheap. Sending from the U.S. to even further away countries like China/Spain are even much more expensive!

I agree with Selidor, if you aren't comfortable paying that much I would suggest asking the seller to ship via First Class Mail if you and the seller are both alright with the fact that First Class Mail offers no sort of insurance or tracking information and is a rather slow shipping method (one of the slowest). Though don't be surprised if the seller turns down your offer; many U.S. sellers, including myself, don't trust First Class Mail when shipping expensive packages overseas. I've sent literally thousands of packages overseas and it was only ever ones with First Class Mail that got lost and three of which were never found.

 

If that's too high for you, try asking the seller to find a small flat rate priority box (the 7x7x6 size one). Most post offices keep them in the back because that size isn't as in demand. Mine just gives all the ones they have to me . I find it to be the perfect size box to ship a head in, because with the amount of padding and bubblewrap I use, it nestles the head in tight, and then I just add extra packing on top and secure any loose spot. It's a flat rate box, so it will ship for about $14, and insurance would be extra. The customs form number serves as tracking. So maybe...$20 max for shipping?

To be fair, $28 is not unreasonable for shipping to the UK. Given that we don't know what service they're using and perhaps that fee also includes any packing material they will need to purchase?

Edit: Just read you said they were using priority. My guess is that they aren't using a flat rate box, which is why it's a bit higher, especially if they add in tracking and insurance. and perhaps a small fee for bubble wrap /tape. I ship overseas fairly frequently, and prefer the flat rate boxes because as long as I can get it in there, safely, I can ship it for the flat rate, which is much cheaper than providing my own box and such and letting the post office charge what they will for it. Then I just add insurance since the customs number acts as tracking. Haven't had a problem yet. But yea, I wouldn't recommend using first class. I don't trust it, unless it's something small that I'm getting from within the States. I would never ship by it, especially overseas.

 

For a box of a size to accommodate an MSD head and adequate packing, weighing no more than 1 lb, Priority International paid online is $28.03. The only cheaper Priority rate is for a small flat rate box at $13.25, but one of its dimensions is only 1 5/8 inches - too flat for a well-wrapped head. Medium or large flat rate boxes would fit, but are $43.23 and $55.58 respectively. All of these are online prices, they would be slightly higher if purchased at the PO.

 

kcurry9- There's a different small flat rate box. It isn't usually advertised, and like I said, most POs keep it in the back if they have them because it isn't in demand. It's perfect for shipping heads, it's a little square. Just have to ask for it, or find a post office that stocks it. They can also be ordered online, in the flat rate bundle pack. But I just raid every post office I pass, and grab them.

 

I didn't know that, thank you! I guess the postage for this would have to be paid for at the PO, since it's not an option online. I do all of my postage online, so I would never know about it if I hadn't found out here. The things you learn on DoA!