International Shipping in LaPlace, LA
Sending Something Home Should Not Take an Afternoon
Plenty of people come through this door shipping overseas on a regular basis, and after the first time the paperwork stops being frightening. We fill the customs forms out with you at the counter and hand the parcel to whichever carrier makes sense for that country.
Who We Ship With
UPS, FedEx, DHL and USPS. Which one is cheapest changes with the country, the weight and how fast it has to be there, so there is no single right answer we can print on a page.
What It Costs
There is no flat rate on international. Bring the item in and we price it against all four carriers in front of you, then you pick. The same box to the same country can differ by a lot between them.
What to Bring
- The item, not sealed up. Customs asks what is inside and we are not allowed to guess
- The full address with country and postal code, plus a phone number for whoever is receiving it
- A rough value for each thing in the box
The Customs Form
We fill it in with you. Being straight about contents and value is what keeps a parcel moving: a form that calls a box of new phones a gift is how packages end up sitting in a warehouse. Every country also keeps its own list of what it will not let in, so ask us before you buy packaging for something unusual.
What Usually Cannot Go
Every country keeps its own list, and the carriers keep theirs. The things that stop a parcel most often are the same everywhere:
- Anything with a lithium battery in it, including a phone, a laptop or a power bank
- Aerosols and anything under pressure, from hairspray to a spare propane canister
- Perfume, nail polish and other alcohol-based liquids
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Fresh food, meat and plants
- Prescription medication
Ask us before you buy packaging for anything on this list. Some of it can still go with the right carrier and the right paperwork, and some of it cannot go at all. Better to find out at the counter than at customs.
What You Leave With
A receipt for what you paid and the tracking number for the parcel. Keep the receipt until tracking shows the parcel delivered on the other end.
How Long It Takes
Anything from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the carrier and the country. You get the estimate for each option before you choose one.
Do I Need an Appointment?
No. Walk in during store hours, Monday through Friday from 9 to 6 and Saturday from 9 to 1. Call ahead if the item is large or awkward.
If It Will Not Fit a Standard Box
We make boxes to size and pack the contents so they survive the trip. For anything on a pallet, that is freight rather than a parcel.
International Shipping Questions
Which Carrier Is Cheapest for Shipping Overseas?
That depends on the country, the weight and how fast it has to be there. Bring the item in and we price it against UPS, FedEx, DHL and USPS in front of you, then you pick.
Do I Have to Fill Out a Customs Form?
Every international parcel needs one and we fill it out with you at the counter. Being straight about the contents and the value is what keeps a parcel moving.
Should I Tape the Box Shut Before I Come In?
No, leave it open. The customs form asks what is inside, and we are not allowed to guess.
How Long Does an International Parcel Take?
Anything from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the carrier and the country. You get the estimate for each option before you choose one.