Cheap shipping to return fabric to UK?

I wanted to exchange some fabric with a store in the UK yet the cost through UPS to ship a 4 pound package to the UK from the US is $130 USD !! The cloth itself is only worth $200 USD, and I thought I paid just like 17 GBP to have it shipped to me, am I missing something?

Originally Posted by Svenn

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I wanted to exchange some fabric with a store in the UK yet the cost through UPS to ship a 4 pound package to the UK from the US is $130 USD !!

The cloth itself is only worth $200 USD, and I thought I paid just like 17 GBP to have it shipped to me, am I missing something?

Don't use UPS -

USPS Priority should be around $35, and the basic service should be ~$20ish (no tracking #)

Originally Posted by VMan

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Don't use UPS -

USPS Priority should be around $35, and the basic service should be ~$20ish (no tracking #)

so $55 total you mean? that is a lot better rate, but still kind of disappointing.. I thought I would only have to pay $30-40 like the sender did... oh well.

I don't think he meant total.

If its more than 4 pounds I think you have to use priority international.

Less than 4 pounds will be cheaper.

Originally Posted by Svenn

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so $55 total you mean? that is a lot better rate, but still kind of disappointing.. I thought I would only have to pay $30-40 like the sender did... oh well.

Not total - $35 if you ship Priority w/ limited tracking, $20ish if you ship First Class International with no tracking.

I would opt for USPS and avoid any other couriers. I paid something like $36 last November to ship a 4.5 pound package to UK, IIRC.

I think you would need to label the package clearly (to avoid VAT problems for the merchant) but I'm sure they've already told you about that. Do they charge extras for re-stocking and second time delivery? Depending, you might want to see if you can re-sell the fabrics to a buyer closer to you first and use that money to pay for newer fabrics.

Did you buy them via mail order? I am curious as to why you might be wanting to exchange the fabrics because unless you see them in person, I don't know how exchanging them can ensure that you get the fabrics you really want in the second or even third try. This might turn out to be a costly shipping exercise. If possible, it's better to ask for small sample swatches mailed to you first.

Originally Posted by upnorth

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I would opt for USPS and avoid any other couriers. I paid something like $36 last November to ship a 4.5 pound package to UK, IIRC.

I think you would need to label the package clearly (to avoid VAT problems for the merchant) but I'm sure they've already told you about that. Do they charge extras for re-stocking and second time delivery? Depending, you might want to see if you can re-sell the fabrics to a buyer closer to you first and use that money to pay for newer fabrics.

Did you buy them via mail order? I am curious as to why you might be wanting to exchange the fabrics because unless you see them in person, I don't know how exchanging them can ensure that you get the fabrics you really want in the second or even third try. This might turn out to be a costly shipping exercise. If possible, it's better to ask for small sample swatches mailed to you first.

ok looks like usps is the way to go. about VAT, do i just say the customs charge is $0 because it's an exchange?

i liked the fabric, i'm just getting a heavier weight of the same cloth (heavier drapes cleaner they say...)