Alright, let’s talk about shipping internationally with Depop. I decided a while back I wanted to open up my little shop to folks outside my own country. Seemed like a good way to maybe shift some items that weren’t getting much love locally.
Figuring Out the Basics
First off, I had to actually switch on the international shipping option within Depop itself. It wasn’t super obvious at first, honestly. I remember poking around in my shop settings, under the shipping section for each listing. You basically have to go into the item’s details and enable shipping worldwide or select specific countries. I decided to start by just saying ‘message me for international’ because the costs seemed like they’d be all over the place.
The Shipping Cost Puzzle
And yeah, figuring out the cost was the next big hurdle. Man, international postage isn’t cheap, and it changes depending on where it’s going, how heavy the item is, how fast you want it there. I spent a good chunk of time on various postal service websites, trying to get estimates. Looked at the standard mail service, looked at couriers. It’s a bit of a maze.
I quickly realized setting a flat international rate was probably a bad idea. Shipping a t-shirt to France is way different than shipping boots to Australia, you know? So, I stuck with my plan: get buyers to message me first. That way, I could weigh the packed item, get an accurate quote for their specific country, and let them know the real cost before they bought. Felt much safer than guessing and potentially losing money or overcharging someone.
Customs Forms – Fun Times
Then there’s the customs declaration. The first time I had an international buyer, I remember thinking, ‘Okay, what now?’. You gotta fill out this little form, either online when you buy the postage or physically at the post office. It basically asks:
- What’s in the package (e.g., used t-shirt, vintage jacket).
- How much it’s worth (the sale price).
- Where it came from (me).
- Where it’s going.
Sounds simple, but you want to get it right so it doesn’t get stuck somewhere. I just described the item honestly and put the price the buyer paid. Seemed to work okay.
Making the First International Shipment
So, the first time someone from overseas bought something, I got their message, weighed the item (a denim jacket, I think it was), got the shipping quote, and they agreed. Felt pretty cool expanding the reach like that.
I packed it up really well. You worry a bit more when it’s travelling thousands of miles, right? Used a sturdy box, made sure it was sealed tight. Bought the postage online, which included the customs info integrated into the label. Printed it out, stuck it on firmly.
Then just took it down to the local post office and handed it over the counter. Got my receipt with the tracking number. Felt like a proper little business owner for a second there.
Was It Worth It?
Yeah, overall, I’d say adding international shipping was a good move. It definitely gets more eyes on your stuff. The key things I learned:
- Always calculate shipping individually: Get the buyer to message you. Weigh the item properly packed. Use the postal service website to get an accurate quote for their country.
- Be clear about costs: Let the buyer know the full shipping price before they commit.
- Pack securely: International packages can take a beating.
- Do the customs form properly: Be honest about contents and value.
- Use tracking: Gives both you and the buyer peace of mind.
It’s a bit more work than just shipping domestically, for sure. You gotta be prepared for the extra steps with quoting and customs. But seeing your stuff go to new places is pretty rewarding, and it can definitely help make more sales. Just gotta go into it knowing it takes a little extra effort.
