International Sales?

[Creative Duo]

Can anyone share their experience with selling out of the United States? I have had lots of requests to sell to Canada, Australia, United Kindom and India. Since we have never done that, we would like to know pros and cons. Are there any special rules or regs we would need to follow?

We have two web sites, one with candles etc, and another with Native American items.

Would appreciate any help in this area that is available. Thanks in advance. :)


MEG
Creative Duo
www.candleholdersoilwarmersetc.com
www.jewelrybeadworkbasketry.com

[Shoshana]

I've sold to Canada and some European countries.

Since I have my shipping rules set up to only charge shipping charges to the lower 48 states, if they just go through check out they won't be charged any shipping. This happens occasionally.

I have to email them for approval of shipping charges.

Usually what happens is they email me first asking what the shipping charges will be. In order to find this out I have to have their city and postal code so sometimes this involves several emails if they don't provide it the first time.

After sending them the shipping charges and getting their approval by return email, after they order I have to go into ECI and charge their card the extra shipping.

BTW, I've never had anyone NOT follow through after they go through all this.

[possum]

Hi

I've sold candles to Canada a couple of times and also to Hawaii.

Each time the customer has emailed me first with the products they would like to order and the full shipping address and then I have quoted shipping. I then go into my website and add a rule specific for that order. It's a bit time consuming but has worked well. I'm lucky my supplier is very quick to answer my emails re shipping costs and I am able to get back to the customer very quickly.

Kerry

[MariaMenetti]

This is not pertaining to SOL stores but I have sold supplements and natural health products to various countries. One thing you have to check on with the post office is whether items can be insured going to that specific country. If they can not be insured that is a RED FLAG that their mail system is NOT dependable and you could loose your merchandise.

I would go to the post office and get info and forms for customs, etc. and get familiar with the requirments for shipping to different countries. In my case, some countries do not allow imports of honey, for example, or certain ingredients in supplements can not be shipped to other countries. My point is..... get familiar with some of the procedures for customs, etc. You may not WANT to ship to certain countries and others may be a breeze.

[Shoshana]

Here's a warning for anyone shipping to customers in Israel.

Global air does not take the package to their home. They deliver it to the nearest post office to their home.

They have to go to the post office with their tracking # to have it released so you HAVE TO get that tracking # if you're shipping to Israel.

[Creative Duo]

Thank you all for your response. It is something to think about. Appreciate the time all took to respond. :o