i need to post a parcel to USA.............. ive never done it before - help pls?

[Biglips]

do i wrap it up as normal and take it to the PO and they post it for me?

yep just let them know if you want it airmail or surface mail etc and if it needs insuring.

whats a airmail or surface mail?

Wrap it up extra securely (make sure the corners are protected). Then take it to the Post Office and choose whether you want to send it Airmail or Surface Mail. They will weigh it and tell you how much each option costs. Then you'll have to fill in a little form for customs to say what's in it. They'll stick the stamps on and take it off you and that's it! Job done!

Airmail is when they send it in a plane.

Surfacemail means it goes over land and sea (in a boat).

Airmail is quicker and more £

You will also have to fill out a customs form declaring the value and nature of the item you are posting

Airmail is more expensive and gets there faster, surface mail is by boat and will probably take weeks but is cheaper.

ooh thanks guys x

I think iirc, you mark it as a gift, then you don't have to pay as much, or there is no tax to pay.

I think...sure someone else will know more.

so does anyone know how long it takes get to california? as i need it to be there by 20th june

hmm if it needs to be there BY the 20th, with no lee-way, you can probably send it some sort of express (but will cost a LOT more) we had to do this xmas 2004 :I

good luck!

Last week I sent a parcel to Australia and it took 3 days.

really!!!.....to oz!...thats good.

i know around xmas time is murder but i thought it wud take 2 weeks....

ill let u know the verdict l8ter !

i post things to the usa regularly, if it is over 1kg it costs a fortune thru normal airmail.

it should get there by 20th, mine normally take 7 days or so.

do not bother with surface you wil be lucky if it gets ther b4 xmas!

do i write the persons name who i am sending it to on the parcel?

Have you posted a letter before, Biglips?

i would , yes.

lol!!....

i thought the PO will give me a big sticker or summat to write their name on it !

erm...one more silly question!

do i put my dets on the back of the parcel as a sender

pmsl, no just label it yourself, they will give you a customs declaration o fill in, it goes on the parcel, you just describe whats in there, ie clothing, or gift etc, u dont have to give the entire game away. then u fill in the overall value.

they will weigh it, and do the rest for you.

just please make sure its not over a kilo!!!

I am forever sending britsh goodie to my freidn in usa, and it goes over by 5og for a pack of quavers or summat, and i have to think-no i will not pay an extra tenner for those.!!

yes just write

sender ......

on the back, obv smaller writing than the addy

no its only 500g as its a small toy

im off out now x

will prob cost about £8 then, i think

it will get there within 5 days

it was just under £7

we've sent stuff to japan and australia that has got there within a week!

sounds good!