How to ship internationally: your first order
Prepare your first overseas order: check the destination, pack and weigh the parcel, compare delivery options and complete the carrier's customs details.
To ship internationally, check that your item can go to the buyer's country, pack it securely and measure the finished parcel. Choose an available delivery service, complete its customs information and check the address before buying the label. Keep tracking with the order. Start with one destination you have checked rather than promising delivery everywhere. [s1] [s2] [s3]
What should you check before accepting an overseas order?
Check the destination, the item and the available carrier service. Countries and carriers have different restrictions, and some items need extra information or cannot travel on a chosen service. Use the carrier's current destination rules before offering that route to buyers. [s2]
A parcel of ceramics and a parcel of food may have very different requirements. Check the actual item you sell rather than assuming all handmade goods can travel in the same way.
What do you need before you buy a label?
You need a complete delivery address, the packed parcel's weight and dimensions, and accurate information about its contents. Measure after packing, because the box and protective material are part of the shipment. [s1] [s2]
| Check | Have it ready |
|---|---|
| Sender | Ship-from address and carrier-required contact details [s1] |
| Buyer | Complete address, country and required contact details [s2] |
| Parcel | Packed weight, length, width and height [s1] |
| Contents | A specific item description, quantity and value requested by the carrier [s3] |
| Service | A route the carrier currently supports [s2] |
For fragile pieces, choose packaging that protects the item during handling. The carrier's packing guidance should be part of your preparation.
How do you choose a delivery option?
Compare the actual services available for your parcel and route. Look at price, estimated delivery time and tracking, plus any cover or signature option you need. An estimated arrival time is not the same as a guarantee. [s2]
On Formahand, you can set country-based delivery prices and ship the parcel yourself. You can also use supported live-rate shipping options. Label buying through Formahand depends on the available carrier and route; it does not mean every country or service is supported. [s1]
How do you prepare an international order on Formahand?
Use the order and your selected shipping mode to prepare the shipment. Check the address and parcel details again before paying for a label, because the final quote depends on those details. [s1]
- Check the paid order. Confirm the item, delivery address and promised dispatch time.
- Pack and measure. Use the finished parcel's weight and dimensions. [s1]
- Choose the service. If buying a label in Formahand, review the available quote from the order. If self-shipping, buy postage from your carrier. [s1]
- Complete the customs details. Follow your carrier's instructions for the actual route. USPS requires specific descriptions, not vague descriptions such as gifts. [s3]
- Print and hand over the parcel. Follow the chosen service's label and drop-off instructions. [s2]
- Keep the tracking number with the order. Tracking availability depends on your shipping mode and carrier. [s1]
See Formahand shipping settings for the current options and label billing details.
Are customs charges included in the shipping price?
Do not assume that postage includes every import charge. Check the chosen service and destination's current rules, then make the delivery terms clear to the buyer before they pay. This guide does not calculate duties or taxes for a particular destination.
What should you tell the buyer?
Keep your postage receipt until the parcel has arrived. Tell them when you dispatched the order, which service you used and where to track it. Keep making time separate from transit time for made-to-order products. If tracking is unavailable for that service, say so rather than promising updates you cannot provide.
Still setting up your shop? Follow the first handmade shop guide before taking orders.