The Best Online Reborn Help Forum!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Secrist Doll Company -> The Business of Reborning: Sales & More -> International Shipping
Post Info TOPIC: International Shipping
Julie


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 27
Date:
International Shipping
Permalink   

Do any of you lovely ladies have an opinion or any comments concerning international shipping from e-bay?  I've never offered international shipping; however,  I just had a listing in which 2 very nice ladies ~ one from Spain and one from Canada ~ showed a sincere interest.  Of course, it was late in the auction and I could not revise my listing to include international shipping.  I felt really bad.

I've avoided offering international shipping simply because I'm just not familiar with customs procedures, etc.

Maybe I think it's more of a hassle than it really is.  I'd love to be able to accomodate a broader base of potential buyers.  Any advice or comments that you may have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Julie



__________________
Julie
Buffington


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4356
Date:
Permalink   

I have sent kits and supplies to the UK, Australia, and Canada. I have never had a problem with any of my shipments. I do know that to Australia, the shipping companies will not "track" your package so if something happens to it, you don't know where to look as there is no record.

All of my clients have used a more expensive shipping method and I have asked them and they just do, no explanation but they want it faster, costing more on their end. I do know that if you ship anything overseas DO NOT USE ANY SAND in anything. Customs considers it "bio-hazard" and they have torn dolls apart if they suspect it. That leaves the doll in customs, the new mommie distraught and with no baby (or a trashed one), and you aren't able to help.

You can usually go online to research the customs laws of the countries you want to ship to. If you have any unanswered questions you can always e them. :)

__________________

We are the most critical of our own works!
 
Current avatar: Hayden sculpt

 www.timelesstreasurebabiesnursery.mysite.com

Pat B. -- Forum Sr. Moderator
Secrist and AV Dealer
Secrist Factory Certified Teacher
Julie


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 27
Date:
Permalink   

Thank you so much for your advice!  I will definitely look into the customs procedures for the various places prior to shipping.  Do you typically have to disclose the materials that you used in making your babies?  How would they know that sand was used?  I never used sand, but I don't want customs tearing apart my babies looking to check.

I've decided to offer international shipping on my next listing.  Thanks for the information ~ I'll definitely do my research beforehand.

Happy New Year!
Julie

__________________
Julie
Leanne1972


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 12
Date:
Permalink   

Julie - i've heard of customs xraying dolls and then tearing them apart because of sand. I know some ladies use the glass beads in their dolls. Then when shipping they attach a baggie with a sample of the glass beads to the custom declaration form. You do need to list the materials used on the doll on the form.

__________________
Julie


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 27
Date:
Permalink   

Leanne, thanks for the tip!  I use glass beads/poly-fill in the head and limbs, and baby fat/poly-fill in the body.  I think I'll attach samples of all the materials so that my baby doesn't get torn to pieces.  I would be absolutely livid if someone did that to a baby after I spent so much time and patience on it.

Which leads me to another question now.  Will my careful packaging be tampered with?  Do they actually open the box and examine the contents?


Julie



__________________
Julie
sara zata


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2358
Date:
Permalink   

I think I read some where that Pat B said not to use baby fat pellets as if they come in contact with the vynal, it can deteriate it, Please comment Pat B. XXXX June.
PS you can get poly pellets, and use them instead.

__________________

  Avator ...By.    http://tjphoto.webs.com                    
         June M from Oz       http://sarazata.webs.com
                      3vf   Photo Bucket
  Memories are Forever. Like Angles in my Heart.
                     

Julie


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 27
Date:
Baby Fat Pelletts
Permalink   

I, too, heard that you should not let the baby fat pellets come in contact the the final parts.  That' why I only use them within the cloth body.  Thanks!!

Julie

__________________
Julie
Buffington


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4356
Date:
RE: International Shipping
Permalink   

I think if you make a COMPLETE list for customs of everything that is used in making your babies you should be fine. I do put a sample of the glass beads, poly pellets and stuffing in a small baggie in an envelope for customs.
I think they usually just xray them, I don't think they open the package unless there is a question or problem.

I know when I send doll kits I do list "empty doll parts" on the form, just to be on the safe side. They don't know us and they're just doing their jobs.

As far as the baby fat pellets, I'm not so sure that they are safe next to each other either. I don't know what they do when they're all mushed in together in a confined area. I should get some just to do a test on them. The companies that manufacture them "make" things out of them not put them "into" things. So I think that is where the problem is.

__________________

We are the most critical of our own works!
 
Current avatar: Hayden sculpt

 www.timelesstreasurebabiesnursery.mysite.com

Pat B. -- Forum Sr. Moderator
Secrist and AV Dealer
Secrist Factory Certified Teacher
Tina W.


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1474
Date:
Permalink   

Do you need a declaration form for flat rate priority boxes as well? I am a bit leary of shipping internationally as well mainly because I'm just not sure how to go about it. i have a lady interested in one of my dolls who live in Japan but I'm just nor sure what to do. I researched the USPS online for shipping flat rate to Japan but it really didn't say.

__________________
   {{ HUGS }}  
      Tina
    


Buffington


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4356
Date:
Permalink   

If nothing else, take your doll on a trip to the post office, explain things to them and they would be the best ones to be able to tell you the procedure to ship internationally. And you could also do the same thing with your local customs office (if you can find one. I got the run around when I tried to find one).
Or with customs, try e-mailing them with the situation, spelling it out very carefully for them.

__________________

We are the most critical of our own works!
 
Current avatar: Hayden sculpt

 www.timelesstreasurebabiesnursery.mysite.com

Pat B. -- Forum Sr. Moderator
Secrist and AV Dealer
Secrist Factory Certified Teacher
Tina W.


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1474
Date:
Permalink   

Thank you. I was really more simple than I thought it would be. I just paid for my postage online and all the necessary forms were printed for me along with instructions. Thanks for the advice though =)

__________________
   {{ HUGS }}  
      Tina
    


Buffington


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4356
Date:
Permalink   

you're welcome :)

__________________

We are the most critical of our own works!
 
Current avatar: Hayden sculpt

 www.timelesstreasurebabiesnursery.mysite.com

Pat B. -- Forum Sr. Moderator
Secrist and AV Dealer
Secrist Factory Certified Teacher
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Secrist Doll Company -> The Business of Reborning: Sales & More -> International Shipping


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard