Posting stuff abroad

[drwhofan]

I'm a bit confused about how posting stuff abroad works. Is there a difference between sending a letter and a parcel? particularly any kind of price difference? How many options are there for sending stuff over there? I have a friend in the US and I often send her letters and packages but I've never really done any research and sometimes it can be really expensive (once it cost me �14 to send a magazine, a letter and a couple of other bits of paper...) so what are the options?

[Ethel]

Which country do you want to send to, and how heavy is your parcel?

[drwhofan]

I'm sending it to the USA and I don't know how heavy it is. It'sa six page letter, a pad of writing paper, a cloth bag and a poster if that's helpful... I think it could be wrapped as a parcel or put in an envelope as a letter.... I'd go for whichever is cheaper!

[Buenchico]

Cheapest rate: 'Printed Papers'
Package must only contain books, magazines, newspapers, leaflets or pamphlets. (You're also permitted to enclose a letter relating to the contents). To qualify, you must write 'PRINTED PAPERS' clearly in the top left hand corner.

Next cheapest (and best for your needs): 'Small Packet'.
Package may contain gifts, goods or commercial samples. (Again, you're permitted to enclose a letter relating to the contents). To qualify, you must write 'SMALL PACKET' clearly in the top left hand corner, and attach a CN22 customs declaration form.

Dearest: 'Letter'
Self-explanatory!

A sheet of A4 copy paper weighs 5g. So that's 30g for your letter. A pad of writing paper might weigh around 150g. A poster might weigh 60g. The cloth bag is hardest to estimate, without knowing the size or thickness, but I'll guess at 260g. Add 50g for the packaging and you're probably looking at around 550g. That's �11.34 as a letter but just �6.67 as a small packet:
http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content1?ca tId=400036&mediaId=53800712

Chris

[Unsureme]

Take notice of Chris,he is spot-on.

[folan]

Whenever I need to send parcels abroad I use IMX. It´s an international courier and it´s really cheap and efficient. I´ve never had a problem with them and I´d definitely recommend these guys! Their website is www.imxmail.com or you can use their Marbella office with website www.asmred.com. Trust me, they´re really good!