It used to be even easier than it is now...
1. shipping international any way besides just firstclass small package is insanely expensive .
2. unless you use one of the 2 insanely expensive ways ,the package can't be insured .
3. the two ways you don't want to ship usps are priority or usps global express.
for example a 12 oz package to germany a light and a pack of eneloops shipped usps first class either large envelope or small package is about 9~10$.
the light alone much lighter is about 5.50$....prices get a bit cheaper over 10 ounces ..I think a pound /16 oz to germany is 12$
we are talking small packages or large envelopes to a certain spec. as per usps site .
you need to have the person tell you that they don't want insurance so they accept liability if the item is lost in the mail ..chances that it will be recovered is slim to none ....You have a better chance of being hit with a seagull in the sahara . they need to trust you enough to send you money via paypal GIFT which means they can't slap a paypal dispute against you and jerk you around .We're all friends here and My opinion is if they don't or won't trust you than they should go buy it from someone else .yes you have to go to the post office to physically send it and people need to realize exactly what that means .time, effort,gas etc .. it's a pain , not a huge pain but certainly not easy like having the mailman pick it up as he's dropping off mail ...My last packages went out a little late this last week because I had 3lights to send and wanted to do them all at once .( kill 3 birds ...one stone)
4. The same package sent priority would have been 35$ and 1$ for insurance .
5. Sent global express it would have been 50$.. but hey .. the insurance is free ,
So avoid those options ... hiding somewhere near the bottom of the usps website is first class mailing options that's what you want and generally i only use small packages the last one in the list ..
my kitchen scale is grams so i need the conversion chart ,or you can use google ..i have nice small strong boxes and good tape with nylon thread in it to reduce chances of something accidentally getting lost in the mail ..spend a little extra on packaging for peace of mind .
here's the two sites I use :
http://curezone.com/conversions.asp convert weight to ounces first because the usps is too stupid to be able to do that for you.....lets say the package is 7 ounces .
Go to usps... http://postcalc.usps.gov/
1. select country... by changing it from domestic mail ..to whatever counrty you're sending your package ..I'm choosing Bermuda .
2.ignore the expensive looking stuff and go to the bottom and "choose shape"...it's a package .
check package and option 3 pops up.
3. enter weight ......type in ... 7 ounces
hit continue ...
New window pops up with mailing options * This is where they are getting SNEAKY **
you need to click on the Display All Options button
the option you want is ..1st class mail international option
$6.58 ...easy huh ? (Bermuda is lovely this time of the year :)
Go to post office and before getting in line get a customs form and fill it out .. wait in line and pay the lady .and you're done .
*ask the person you're sending something to what the limit is in his country before he has to pay duty and keep the value of the packages under that ...not a problem with budget lights :)