They don’t call it the”world wide web” for nothing. If you aren’t cashing in on international buyers you are losing money to put things bluntly. Some people think it’s too difficult, and others think people from other countries ‘aren’t trust worthy’ for whatever reason.

I’ve been buying, selling, and trading merchandise online for many years off, and on. I started doing it because I loved trading cards. I would mail collectibles back and forth to people, and it gets to be pretty fun. I’ve sent mail to virtually every state in the US, and many countries. I’ve made friends in places like Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and Canada. Even though I’ve yet to visit those places.

When I started selling on eBay I easily saw my profits double just by doing one simple thing. I offered international shipping on my items. This may involve the simple task of filling out a claims form, but that’s really about it. You can easily calculate international shipping just like domestic. If you really don’t want to deal with it they also have interational priority flat rate boxes – just like the standard ones.

Some of the best transactions I’ve had have been with people in other countries. It’s been a rich experience being able to talk, and do business with those people. I really wish I’d have been keeping a list all those years ago just to see where all my stuff has gone to.  I know that I have sent many packages to the Netherlands. They seem to be big ebay shoppers there.

Some things to watch out for..

*Varying rates

Rates vary from country to country (I know Autralia is particularly expensive). Put up a shipping calculator on your website or ebay listing so people can get their own quote before buying.

*Package weight/size

If boxes weigh over a certain amount, or are oddly shape you may be required to pay extra. Be aware of any weight limits on shipping methods. Some are only good for packages under a certain weight.

*Transit time

Be aware that transit time can be unreliable. It’s best to have a tracking number to know where things are. It could take a couple of weeks for something to clear international mail. Most buyers will be well aware of this time frame, and very patient.

*Customs forms

You may need to fill out a customs form. This is no big deal though! These include information like where the package is coming from, who it’s going to, value of contents, and what’s inside. Basically, the idea is to be alerted if there’s any potentially hazardous material inside.

*Product taboos

Be aware of the types of material you can send into other countries. There are strict customs laws on certain items such as flammable things, food, and live cargo. If you’re sending clothes, books, or anything else harmless this should not be a problem for you.

*Regional information

Make sure your listing specifically includes important region information. Certain electronics like DVD players, or game systems may not be univeral for all countries. Make sure to state anything that will be important to international buyers.

Originally posted 2009-07-10 11:54:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter