Is there a cheap alternative way to ship overseas in the US?

[pappasmurfsharem]

I have a few people interested in PCBs overseas.

Calculating the shipping to the Netherlands from the US is $29 for a small 4oz package. Just for shipping.

I can actually place the PCB order at OSHPark for them, and they will get 3 boards for cheaper than the shipping costs alone.

Is there a better way?

[rullywowr]

Certainly. You can stick a PCB in a "thank you" or birthday card and ship it first class. Tape it to the card. It will be global first class letter rate ($1.15 I believe) and add 21c for non machinable postage.

[DutchMF]

Certainly. You can stick a PCB in a "thank you" or birthday card and ship it first class. Tape it to the card. It will be global first class letter rate ($1.15 I believe) and add 21c for non machinable postage.

This method works for sure. I've received several pcb's (and some nice cards!  ) this way, and I'm in the Netherlands as well.

Paul

[davent]

Can send a lot of birthday cards for $29.

[alanp]

It also helps if you do what I do, and buy a dozen stamps and drop them off in a postbox, WITHOUT dropping them off at the post shop where they ask stupid questions like "What's in these?"

[Stomptown]

I recommend buying sheets of the 66 cent stamps (they have a Butterfly on them) for shipping PCB's. You can use one of those in the US to ship the method described above (inside a thank you card) and mark it Non-Machinable (if you just use a forever stamp it will go through the machines). Slap 2 stamps on and you can ship international! Now if you are doing this as a business I would probably mail in flats within the USA. If not, just always make sure you have an extra PCB on hand in case something goes wrong...

Here is a link to the stamps:

https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?categoryNavIds=catBuyStamps%3asubcatS_S_Sheets&categoryNav=false&navAction=push&navCount=0&productId=S_115904&categoryId=subcatS_S_Sheets

[gtr2]

I have a few people interested in PCBs overseas.

Calculating the shipping to the Netherlands from the US is $29 for a small 4oz package. Just for shipping.

I can actually place the PCB order at OSHPark for them, and they will get 3 boards for cheaper than the shipping costs alone.

Is there a better way?

Split the order into two 2oz flats.  As long as you're under 3/4" thickness you're good.  Should be around $3.50 each.

Josh

[DutchMF]

It also helps if you do what I do, and buy a dozen stamps and drop them off in a postbox, WITHOUT dropping them off at the post shop where they ask stupid questions like "What's in these?"

This is some of the best advice yet, the less hands and eyes go over your envelope/package, the better!!

Paul

[midwayfair]

I recommend buying sheets of the 66 cent stamps (they have a Butterfly on them) for shipping PCB's. You can use one of those in the US to ship the method described above (inside a thank you card) and mark it Non-Machinable (if you just use a forever stamp it will go through the machines). Slap 2 stamps on and you can ship international! Now if you are doing this as a business I would probably mail in flats within the USA. If not, just always make sure you have an extra PCB on hand in case something goes wrong...

Here is a link to the stamps:

https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?categoryNavIds=catBuyStamps%3asubcatS_S_Sheets&categoryNav=false&navAction=push&navCount=0&productId=S_115904&categoryId=subcatS_S_Sheets

It's 70c in the US now.

[rullywowr]

I recommend buying sheets of the 66 cent stamps (they have a Butterfly on them) for shipping PCB's. You can use one of those in the US to ship the method described above (inside a thank you card) and mark it Non-Machinable (if you just use a forever stamp it will go through the machines). Slap 2 stamps on and you can ship international! Now if you are doing this as a business I would probably mail in flats within the USA. If not, just always make sure you have an extra PCB on hand in case something goes wrong...

Here is a link to the stamps:

https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?categoryNavIds=catBuyStamps%3asubcatS_S_Sheets&categoryNav=false&navAction=push&navCount=0&productId=S_115904&categoryId=subcatS_S_Sheets

It's 70c in the US now.

Yes it is 70c in the usa now. They just came out with 21c stamps (finally).

[Stomptown]

I recommend buying sheets of the 66 cent stamps (they have a Butterfly on them) for shipping PCB's. You can use one of those in the US to ship the method described above (inside a thank you card) and mark it Non-Machinable (if you just use a forever stamp it will go through the machines). Slap 2 stamps on and you can ship international! Now if you are doing this as a business I would probably mail in flats within the USA. If not, just always make sure you have an extra PCB on hand in case something goes wrong...

Here is a link to the stamps:

https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?categoryNavIds=catBuyStamps%3asubcatS_S_Sheets&categoryNav=false&navAction=push&navCount=0&productId=S_115904&categoryId=subcatS_S_Sheets

It's 70c in the US now.

Oops! Thanks for the correction and the heads up Jon!