Looking for international shipping advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: naimis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2018, 10:46:00 pm
content: Hi all, I have a kit that I've been selling for a while now and I've had a small number (grand total of 3 so far) requests for my kit from international customers. I've only shipped one so far as I learn the ins and outs of international shipping and it worked ok, going USPS from Texas, USA to Cornwall, UK, but at the suggestion of that first customer I've been looking into using a shipping broker for future sales. Since these are sales and not gifts, there are customs fees to be paid, and the broker should, at least in theory, take care of that as part of the service.My questions areIs it even worthwhile to set up an account with a shipping broker for this small number of international customers (one sale, two more interested in the course of 1 year)?Do you have any specific recommendations for brokers to use or not use for shipping from the US to outside the US?(hopefully this is the most appropriate forum to ask the question)

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2018, 10:56:42 pm
content: Customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer, not you. Brokers usually charge brokerage fees on top of the actual duty, so the customer ends up paying more and often has a more unpleasant experience. Just stick with shipping by USPS.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2018, 02:41:30 am
content: I agree.Your biggest concern will be to not fall foul of export controls. There can be some restrictions that may seem weird and/or absurd, but if you have a component in your kit that is covered under a control, then you need to deal with it up front or pray you don't get caught. This situation is even more frustrating when that component is freely available in your destination country - but, as they say, the law is an ass.With any luck, your kit won't have anything of concern in it, so you won't need to worry - but it would be wise to check. If you feel comfortable mentioning some of the bits of silicon or other "exotic" components you use, there could be some feedback you could gain from the members here.

author: naimis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2018, 02:47:32 am
content: Ah, I don't think there's much risk of running afoul of export control issues. Each kit consists of a synchronous A/C motor, a small power transformer and some wiring. Replacement parts for a pinball machine, the transformer's purpose being to step the 50VAC from the power supply down to the 24VAC motor. It was mostly a convenience and expediency issue.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2018, 03:01:28 am
content: Quote from: naimis on November 25, 2018, 02:47:32 amAre you sure your transformer and motor will run on 50Hz without overheating?

author: naimis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2018, 05:03:49 am
content: Quote from: edavid on November 25, 2018, 03:01:28 amNot certain but reasonably confident

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2018, 07:16:24 am
content: Test it on a variac at 60Hz and 20% overvoltage, then you can be pretty sure it will be fine at nominal voltage in 50Hz land.Remember the UK is really 240V mains in spite of EU harmonisation - they just fiddled with the permitted supply voltage tolerances to harmonise purely on paper - so the PSU's 50V AC will probably be 5% high to start with and you'll need to test at 63V. Don't be surprised if the transformer saturates and overheats - there usuallly isn't much margin on transformers built diwn to a cost.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2018, 09:27:44 am
content: Unless the kit is large or very high cost etc, just use tracked and insured USPS for most countries.