Question
Hi
I've received emails from Japan, Australia and South Africa asking me to ship to their location.
Is there anything I should know if I decide to ship to these countries?
What's been your experience?
Chargebacks? Shipping delays? Lost packages?
Answer
I've shipped quite a bit to Japan and Australia. I love my customers in these countries--they pay promptly and I've NEVER had a problem!
Answer
At least 50%, maybe more, of my customers are not in the United States. Very few problems, in general, I have many problems LESS with foreign buyers than with United States buyers. Every once in a while someone does try to reduce the shipping charge by "negotiating" after the fact.
Answer
I like the ones who pay instantly hoping I won't notice that they paid $5 for shipping instead of $25. Most of my international buyers are prompt and courteous. Lots more paperwork though.
Answer
Well, there is more paperwork, and there's the inevitable customer who asks you to fill out the customs paperwork saying its a gift or cut the value by 90% and all (so they can avoid paying the customs).
The one thing I would suggest is that you be very careful about where you ship to, Japan and Australia are most likely OK, don't know about South Africa. Places like Nigeria, Indonesia, etc. are definitely not good -- lots of lost parcels, theft and scams. For an idea about where NOT to ship, go to http://www.u-pic.com and check their list of countries they won't cover. Statistically, there are reasons why they won't cover those countries, and that's a good guideline to follow.
Keep your block on bidders from countries you won't ship to, edit your auctions to say "I'm willing to consider it, please contact me to get a shipping quote" and then you can give them a quote and add them to the approved buyers' list. Unfortunately, Ebay's shipping system is regional, doesn't allow you to cherry pick countries other than say, Canada and Mexico.
Answer
Originally Posted by doobeedog
I've received emails from Japan, Australia and South Africa asking me to ship to their location.
Is there anything I should know if I decide to ship to these countries? Chargebacks? Shipping delays? Lost packages?
I'm in New Zealand so around 99% of my sales are international and I've been selling online since 1998 so I know most of the potential problems by now. Few problems to worry about with Japan, Australia and South Africa provided you don't accept PayPal or credit cards and thus invite charge backs months later.
Very few shipping delays provided you mark your items as AIRMAIL on all sides in large letters with appropriate stickers, etc. and correct postage. Delivery to some countries like Canada, Germany and Austria may encounter long delays at customs unless you accurately describe articles with their HS tariff number.
Very few lost packages provided you have a return address on all packages and a copy inside the package (in case outside is damaged). Always double check the shipping address with the buyer as they occasionally make a typo or have moved and not updated their eBay registered address.
Answer
If it's expensive, ship it so it's trackable. Otherwise pay pal will favor the buyer if not recieved or if it's a set up scam.