Has anybody shipped to the Middle East before?

[sufrommich]

I had a guy from Lebanon win one of my auctions. I'm a little nervous about how to package it to send because of Homeland Security. Anything I should know?

[Vinca]

1. I know I've sold at least 1 item to someone in the Middle East -

Israel, I think. In any case, I didn't do anything special. Whenever I have to use the customs forms I describe what's inside pretty well. My worst fear is having some Barbie doll blown up on the tarmac. :rofl: A couple of weeks ago I sold a weird, little Scotty dog figurine, probably from the 1940's or 50's, that had a bell attached to it. I never did figure out what it was for. You twisted the bell like you might a music box and pressed down on the dog's tongue to set it off. It was sent within the U.S., but I was so worried the tongue would get bumped and the thing would go off and the pooch would be mistaken for a bomb. It must have gotten to where it was going, though, since I haven't heard otherwise.

[sufrommich]

2. Thanks,Vinca

I've only sold internationally to Europe. I guess it's just business as usual for the packaging.

[sandnsea]

3. Don't put more than 13 ounces

and stamps on a $4.80 envelope. I just learned that.

From what web site clients have told me, any shipper should pretty much do the whole thing for you.

[yy4me]

4. You can get the rate for a package from the USPS web site.

USPS.GOV

We ship all over the US, Canada and the UK. You can get a quote on line for the postage. Just have the weight(inc Box) plus length, width and height. There are preliminary pages and you can click in the "get rate" drop down and click on the country. The Customs form to use is simple and available at the post office. BTW, everything now goes Priority Mail. Believe me, the Post Office is FAR cheaper than UPS. If it is flatish, you can get free boxes at the PO too.
If your intended destination is on the list, you can ship there. Check also to see if there are any restrictions.
In the description box, be general --in a specific way such as "Used book", China cup and saucer, you get the idea. If customs thinks you are making a business of sending lots of things, they will heavily tax the recipient. They may tax anyway if the item is new. I would not use the work Antique in your description if indeed it is.

Couldn't the winning bidder just be considerate and live in Cleveland or Chicago. Would be much easier.

[sufrommich]

5. It was a scam!

First the guy asked me to do a "bank transfer",when I said no,he asked if he could use a "friends" account,I said no and looked up his user name,he had changed it within the last couple of months. I filed a unpaid item dispute and his answer was that he was "still working on getting a Paypal account". All my listings specifically state that international bidders must use Paypal. Needless to say,Ebay agreed with me and let me file an unpaid item strike against him,he'll no doubt pop up somewhere else with a new name.