5 Golden Rules for Overseas Selling on Amazon…

By Sharon Fussell, August 17, 2012

On Amazon you have the option of choosing to sell your books overseas or just selling them domestically.

I know many sellers do not want the hassle of selling abroad and do not choose this option. However, we find that we make quite a few sales abroad (which, incidentally, includes The Republic of Ireland).

The reality of overseas selling on Amazon

It may seem a little scary or bothersome to send books abroad, but we have made some great sales – and great profits too – from such sales.

However, you must be aware of my five ‘golden rules’ when opting to send abroad:

1. Weight: Always be aware of the weight of books when opting to sell abroad. If they are too heavy and the postal credit does not cover the actual cost of posting (and you are not prepared to pay the extra out of your profits) do not opt to send overseas.

Postal credits differ for Europe and the rest of the world, for example buyers pay £4.02 for European postings and £7.00 for most other countries (an exception being the USA for whom it is £6.94 – no idea why).

If you cannot send your books within this price range then think very hard about selecting the option to send abroad.

2. Airmail: You should always send books abroad via airmail – surface mail tends to be much cheaper, but can take much, much longer to arrive, which may attract bad feedback.

Also, do remember put an airmail sticker on all parcels to be send via airmail, including Ireland and European countries.

3. Customs declaration label: There is a procedure to follow when sending books abroad, part of which includes you putting a Customs declaration label on the front of the envelope and a blue airmail sticker, (available free from post offices). On the label you must write what the item is and put the actual weight in grams and the actual value of the item (not including the postal credit).

You do not have to use a Custom’s label for the European Union – with a few exceptions: Andorra, Canary Islands, Gibraltar, San Marino, Vatican City Sate, channel Islands, including Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm, and Sark.

If in doubt check on the Royal Mail website.

You can also find out more information on how to send books abroad in the .

4. Return address: it is always a good idea to ensure you write a return address on the back of all parcels, home or away. I just write my house number and postcode.

5. Write ‘Printed Paper’: The post office like you to write ‘printed paper’ on the front of the envelope.

On occasion I have been left slightly out of pocket when selling abroad, but on the whole I make very good profits from the postal credits alone. To copy me do ensure you follow the above rules!

FBA Overseas Orders

If you are selling using FBA it is easy to opt to send your orders overseas. Go to manage inventory section, click on inventory Amazon fulfils. On the top right hand side of the page you have the option to choose to send your orders overseas.

It does not cost you any extra in fees, but you do not receive any of the extra fees Amazon charges customers to send their goods abroad, however, you should receive extra orders from buyers who want your books, thus creating extra income – without all the work and bother of sending them yourself.

If you would like to explore your shipping options click on HELP in your seller account and you’ll find a plethora of links to assist you. Or, alternatively, you can click ‘view rate tables’ whilst listing an item.

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