BEQUAERT OLD BOOKS
Overseas Shipments
Our Overseas Shipping Policy
(Revised June 26, 2008)
PLEASE NOTE: Books can no longer be shipped surface mail to foreign countries. All shipments now go by air.
- Delivery Time: We make no guarantee on delivery time on any items that we ship to foreign countries. For certain countries, significant delays can occur in customs.
- Loss or Damages: We do not give a refund for an item that is lost or damaged in transit unless the package was insured. (Note that to be insured, an item must be shipped Priority Mail International by weight. Flat Rate Priority Mail International cannot be Insured.)
- Shipping Charges: Our foreign shipment charges are generally $2. more than the actual cost of shipment (rounded to the nearest dollar or 50 cents.) We are happy to quote postage on any item prior to your placing a bid or purchasing an item. On e-Bay items, we ask you to request such information at least 2 days prior to the end of the auction.
- Customs Declaration: We put a customs declaration of the actual price paid for an item on the outside of the package. We cannot make exceptions to this rule as many customs offices are now opening packages and inspecting the goods inside to determine value.
- Insurance: If an insured package is lost, we will refund the full price paid (cost of item plus postage) when we have received reimbursement from the Post Office for the insured value.
Shipping Methods
We use the following methods for shipment of items overseas in order to keep shipment costs to a minimum.
- First-Class Mail International (FCMI): This is the most economical means of shipment. There is however, a limit of four pounds shipping weight and insurance is not available. While this methods is by air, the US Postal Service gives no estimated delivery time.
- Priority Mail International (PMI): This shipment option offers a 6-10 average business day delivery, is available in 190 countries and can be Insured (unless a Flat Rate options is chosen) for an additional fee. There are three ways to ship Priority Mail International.
- Priority Mail International by Weight: The cost of shipment is determined by the weight of the item when packed for shipment. We pack our books securely in sturdy corrugated cardboard boxes. Insurance IS available for this shipping option.
- Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope: The item being shipped must fit in the envelope safely and weigh no more than 4 pounds. The shipping cost for this option is $11. to Canada and Mexico, and $13. for all Other Countries. Insurance is NOT available for this shipping option.
- Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Box: The item(s) being shipped must fit in the flat-rate box safely and not exceed 20 pounds in weight. (We have found that the box only holds about ten pounds of books.) The shipping cost for this method of shipment is $26. for the regular size box and $32. for the Large box to Canada and Mexico, and $41. for the regular size box and $52. for the large size box for all other Countries. Insurance is NOT available for this shipping option.
- M-Bag Shipment: When shipped in an M-Bag, the books are packed in a box with an address label. The box is then placed in a separate mail bag addressed to the addressee on a tag attached to the bag. The postage is the same if the box weighs anywhere between 4 and 11 pounds and then increases with weights beyond 11 pounds. Our shipping fee for a minimum weight M-Bag (less than 11 pounds) varies from $26. (to Canada) to $52.50. (to Australia). Insurance is NOT available for this shipping option. (For delivery time for M-Bags see Shipping Problems below)
- To view examples of shipping charges see below typical shipping costs.
Shipping Problems
Over the past several years we have occasionally experienced some real problems with shipment of books and paper items to foreign countries. Some of the packages we have shipped overseas have been seriously delayed in transit and have only appeared at their destinations months after we mailed them. However, of the hundreds of packages we have shipped to foreign countries only a couple have failed to arrive. Delivery time seems to vary with countries from short (Great Britain) to very long (Italy). In some countries (e.g. Canada) significant delays can occur in the customs processing of packages.
Although we think we have worked out the best possible procedures with our local Post Office, international mail passes through offices that are not under the control of the U. S. Postal service. It is thus difficult to pinpoint problems with the system. We shall continue to ship books and paper items overseas, but following the policy we have outlined above.
Typical Shipping Costs
Here are typical amounts we would charge (in U.S. dollars) for various items:
- A small pamphlet, packed weight eight ounces, shipped First-Class Mail International (FCMI).
to England*: $9.
to Japan: $9.
- A a relatively small book shipped in a Priority Mail International Envelope Flat-Rate Envelope (reinforced with corrugated carboard) to England or Japan.
Shipping charge: $13.
- A three pound package sent Priority Mail International (PMI), Insured for $50, to Enland. Shipping charge: $36.
A six pound package sent Priority Mail International (PMI), Insured for $50, to England. Shipping charge: $49.
- A three pound package sent First-Class Mail International (FCMI).
to England*: $25.
to Japan: $25.
- A six pound package sent by M-Bag.
to England*: $35.
to Japan: $53.
NOTE: A ten pound package sent by M-Bag would cost the same.
(M-Bag's cannot be Insured)
* Same for most Western European Countries