General Forum

Always good to check out USPS's page on international shipping https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm?_gl=1*jom44m*_gcl_au*MTgyMzM2NDI4My4xNzEyMjgwNjAz*_ga*MTA3NTAwMzk2LjE3MTIyODA2MDM.*_ga_3NXP3C8S9V*MTcxMjI4MDYwMy4xLjEuMTcxMjI4MDY5Ny4wLjAuMA..#_c341


edit: oof this page has everything! Dont scroll after you click and you'll see international prices. 

because it goes by weight

I'll chime in with another data point.  I just dropped off 18 cards in a PWE to send to Canada and the local postmaster charged me $1.99 USD, which included non-machineable handling.

Thank you to everyone in this thread for the info on the 9"x12" envelopes, what could fit and how much it cost to send.  That's good information that I didn't have earlier.

--Kent 

(kents_stuff shows my collection)

(kents_xtras_trd_sell shows what I have available)

It was from me. I used an international stamp + extra stamp for the extra ounce.

Good information, thanks. I know money is tight, but there are absolutely cards across the border that would make paying a bit extra for a PWE worth it. If I'm spending $6 a pack for 2024 Topps cards, I can spend $0.50 - $1.00 more for cards that I actually want. On that note, I did just spend $4 or so to send cards to Estonia... any, ah, tips for a cheaper rate for cards heading that way?

I don't think there is any way to make overseas trades economical so only the opportunity to get cards not available in N.A. would make it worthwhile. I will add two recommendations to all those looking to economize:

1. Go to your post office website (Canada Post or USPS) and print off, bookmark or whatever their rates for envelope mail as well as small packages. Many times it costs the same to ship 50 cards as it does 100 cards; 250 cards or 400 cards.

2. Buy a small digital scale (I think I got mine at Staples for $20). They are superbly accurate so you can actually maximize the weight to the upper limit of the weight category you find yourself in. So if you are over 200 grams but allowed to 300 grams before the next jump in postage, increase your trade to maximize the weight even if it means browsing the other member's traders for cards not on your want list. I have done this several times to make larger trades even more economical. Also helps in reducing the traders piles in my card area.

And for Canadians, register as a small business with Canada Post. You can then use their site to do all your own postage for packages and get a discount as a small business that equates to about half the tax charge. As well, come October you get to ship a package every Tuesday for free.

None of us have so much money that we can not look to save where we can. By looking into things and testing the system, I have found ways to do so including knowing which post offices to use and which to avoid.

Simply use the same advice; keep envelopes flat. 

Rates from the US to Europe are higher but you should still be able to acquire cards at lower than 20 cents per card. 

Bookmark the international postage page another member shared and you're good to go.

I've used that method to Europe and Australia recently and averaged between 10 and 16 cents per card.