Whether you need a good chef’s knife to carve up large cuts of beef, or a paring knife to core a tomato, knives come in handy for a variety of uses. They represent an important consumer product, but can you mail knives and other sharp instruments through the USPS? The short answer is that it depends on the type of knife.
Switchblade knives
Switchblade knives are severely restricted with the USPS. They are defined by the USPS as knives having “a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button or other device in the handle, or by operation of inertia, gravity, or both.” Only supply and procurement officers are allowed to purchase and mail switchblade knives. If you’re a dealer or manufacturer of switchblade knives, you would still only be able to mail switchblade knives to procurement officers representing civic, county, state and federal governments. Mailpieces with switchblade knives should not be identified as such on the outside of the parcel.
Pocket and kitchen knives
What if you’re sending a pocket knife to a manufacturer for repair? Or mailing a sushi knife to a friend? These knives are mailable. However, keep in mind that mailable knives must be cushioned and secured within the packaging. This would prevent any sharp edges from poking through the packaging. Make sure that there is no content shifting. Inner packaging is recommended, and if possible, sheathing the blade in question. Use plenty of cushioning material. This also goes for sharp-edged implements like ice picks, hatchets, stilettos and saws.
The best rule to go by when mailing knives and sharp instruments is to avoid mailing hazardous items that could cause injury to postal workers: loose knives; badly packaged, sharp objects; and automatic, ballistic, and auto-open blades.
International mail
When mailing internationally, keep in mind that some countries, such as Denmark, Uganda, Japan and the United Kingdom, explicitly prohibit certain types of knives. Learn more about USPS international listings.
As always, stay sharp and keep informed! For more information on domestic USPS regulations regarding mailing knives, please see:
Everyone knows that the frenetic Christmas shopping season officially kicks off on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Following shortly after Black Friday is Cyber Monday, a retail holiday started in 2005 as retailers sought to capitalize on the growing trend of online shopping. Sandwiched between those two retail extravaganzas, on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving is another shopping holiday known as Small Business Saturday.
What makes Small Business Saturday different from its well-known counterparts? While Black Friday and Cyber Monday attract people to national and big-box retailers as well as online shopping, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick-and-mortar businesses that are small and local.
What can small businesses do to take advantage of this special day that comes at the very start of the busiest shopping season of the year? Read these 5 helpful tips and find out.
Tip #1 – Introduce Customers to the Business
It’s easy for a small business to get lost in the massive world of retail. What can a small business do to rise above the fray and get noticed? Because fewer hands are involved in shipping packages to customers, each shipment can be personalized in some way. A business card that features the business’s physical address, website, and social media accounts can go a long way. A thank you note can be included in the package—bonus points if it’s handwritten and personalized with the customer’s name. Additionally, a social media page that includes photos of the business, owners, and employees will let customers know who the friendly faces are behind the package they received in the mail.
Tip #2 – Spread the Word Throughout the Community
While online promotion can be very effective, a small business can make its presence known offline as well. One of the main reasons people shop at small businesses is to support local businesses and put money back into the community. By engaging your local community, you can effectively boost your holiday sales—especially on Small Business Saturday. The local Chamber of Commerce, local organizations, and locally published newspapers and circulars can be used to get the word out.
Tip #3 – Maintain a Presence on Social Media
Any and every social media account can be used to promote Small Business Saturday. Remember, hashtags can be a business’s best friend; sales and deals can be promoted using #SmallBusinessSaturday, #SmallShop, #SmallBizSat, and others. The voice on a social media account should match the store’s branding and products. For example, a small business that sells toys and games would present itself a bit differently than one that sells haute couture clothing and accessories.
Tip #4 – Promote Products That Make Great Gifts
After all, the holiday season is all about gift-giving, so businesses should place emphasis on items that would make good gifts. Just like any other seasonal sale, product selection and merchandising are key. Grouping products by intended recipient is a great way to showcase your offerings. Categories like “gifts for mom” or “gifts for grandpa” are always popular.
Tip #5 – Don’t Forget About Loyal Customers
Any business is happy to get a new customer, but Small Business Saturday is also about engaging existing customers. The day can be advertised several weeks ahead of time by posting signs in windows and putting flyers in customers’ bags when they pay at the register to remind them about it. If the business maintains a customer email list, a brief but friendly email can encourage them to stop in and check out the deals on Small Business Saturday.
By following these tips, small businesses can start off the busy holiday shopping season on the right foot!
If you’re interested in selling high-profit items on eBay, you should definitely be frequenting estate sales. Part one of this multi-part series focused on the kitchen. Next stop? The garage!
Garages are filled with goodies just waiting to be snapped up by savvy sellers. The more disorganized the garage, the better. There’s gold hiding in them thar piles!
Tools
First of all, focus on tools – especially vintage tools. Both modern and vintage tools can be worth quite a bit on the resale market. We recently bought a planer for $5 and sold it for over $400 on eBay. Tools made by brands such as Snap-on, Mac, and DEWALT are always in demand. Vintage “Made in America” hand tools such as crescent wrenches should be on your radar. Vintage axe heads are another favorite of ours.
Home Improvement Items
In addition, look for home improvement items. Higher-end faucets and sinks bring in the big bucks if they are new or almost new. And cabinet pulls can be sold in lots. At a recent yard sale, we purchased a $950 sink new in the box for $20 and sold it for $300. The man who sold it to us had won it at a Christmas party. (He worked for a home improvement company.) We didn’t have to ship it because we had it listed as local pickup only.
Fly Fishing Gear
Oh, where to start? Americans love to fish, and fly fishing is all the rage! Look for newer gear by brands such as Scott, Sage, Echo, Thomas & Thomas, and G. Loomis. Old bamboo fly rods and vintage Fenwick poles are fan favorites (be sure to ship fishing rods in USPS mailing tubes). In addition, don’t miss out on buying fly reels. They are easy to photograph, easy to sell, and easy to ship. Next, pay attention to vintage lures – the older the better. And don’t miss the clothing produced by Simms and Filson. Use your phone to look up current selling prices.
New and Vintage Christmas Ornaments
While hunting for treasures, don’t miss out on Christmas ornaments. Christmas ornaments sell year-round. Vintage ornaments in their original boxes are especially valuable. Modern ornaments are also in demand. Christopher Radko pieces, for example, are strong sellers. And be on the lookout for pieces made by Swarovski. Swarovski designs a new ornament for each and every year. These crystal masterpieces are hot property and can sell for hundreds of dollars. The most valuable Swarovskis are those in the original boxes with certificates of authenticity.
Automobile and Bicycle Parts
Finally, keep your eyes peeled for automobile and bicycle parts. Sourcing them can be a bit complicated, so be sure to research each piece before you buy it.
Yup. Estate sales can be full of amazing items just waiting to be flipped on eBay. So get in line early, and when the doors open, head for the garage!
See part one: Finding Profits At Estate Sales: The Kitchen
About the Author
Miriam Otto is an eBay blogger and credentialed teacher with 13 years’ experience selling on the site. She was a frequent guest on eBay Radio and has participated in eBay seller panels and projects. Her blog, The eBay Life, is an all-in-one resource for eBay sellers.
The legislation regarding mailing hemp and CBD have recently changed to allow hemp products to be shipped legally. The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) removed hemp from the federally controlled substance list which allows for hemp products to be shipped between states as of June 6, 2019. If you plan on shipping CBD or hemp products you’ll want to review the changes to ensure your business is operating within the law.
2018 Farm Bill
Based on this new legal status, hemp plants, seeds, and products can now be mailed through USPS to domestic addresses—military and international destinations are currently excluded. In addition to destination restrictions, there are a few conditions you must meet to ship hemp products. For starters, shipping industrial hemp products require a license from a state’s Department of Agriculture authorizing the production. Additionally, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration in a product cannot exceed a 0.3% limit. If you are shipping liquid hemp products be sure to follow the USPS guidelines to ensure leaks won’t cause your package to become unmailable.
Shipping with USPS
The USPS hemp and CBD shipping regulations align with the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. This means that you can use the USPS to mail hemp/CBD products domestically, as long as your shipment meets the following requirements. The Agricultural Improvement Act states:
- “Hemp” shall have the meaning provided under federal law, including Section 10113 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L.115-334 (7 U.S.C. § 1639o), or any successor provision. Hemp and hemp-based products, including cannabidiol (CBD) with the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of such hemp (or its derivatives) not exceeding a 0.3 percent limit are permitted to be mailed only when:
- The mailer complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws (such as the Agricultural Act of 2014 and the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018) pertaining to hemp production, processing, distribution, and sales; and
- The mailer retains records establishing compliance with such laws, including laboratory test results, licenses, or compliance reports, for no less than 2 years after the date of mailing.
It is important to note that it is the mailer’s responsibility to remain compliant with all laws and regulations governing mailability. Make sure to maintain your own records of compliance, including laboratory test results, licenses, and compliance reports for at least 2 years your mailing. USPS can request this documentation if there are any questions on the product’s mailability or the ability to legally receive the shipment so it’s important you have the documents on hand. These documentation requirements are not unique to hemp products however, they apply to all restricted items shipped with USPS.
How Stamps.com Can Help
Stamps.com makes shipping easy, with our online postage solution you can print postage directly from your home without going to the post office. Stamps.com gives customers access to all USPS mail classes, and discounts on domestic postage up to 40% off. Your existing technology isn’t a problem—Stamps.com integrates with many popular carts and marketplaces.
Beginning January 1, 2020, all shipments to Brazil must include the recipient’s Tax ID number on both the customs declarations and shipping labels. Brazil is implementing this new requirement to help ensure taxes are collected from resellers who purchase U.S. goods and resell them within Brazil at a profit. If you are selling to customers in Brazil it is essential that you collect their Tax ID at the time of sell—shipments missing the recipient’s Tax ID will be subject to return, or even disposal, by Brazilian Customs.
Shipping and Customs Requirements
Regardless of mail class, the recipient’s Tax ID must be visible on the shipping label and declared within the appropriate customs form. There are several Tax IDs that can be used when shipping to Brazil, including:
- CPF – Individual Tax ID (format: 000.000.000-00)
- CNPJ – Business Tax ID (format: 00.000.000/0000-00)
- Passport Number
Shipping to Brazil with Stamps.com Online
If you are a Stamps.com customer, adding a Tax ID to your Brazilian shipment is simple. Typically when shipping to an individual in Brazil, the company field is left blank:
You can use this field to enter your recipient’s Tax ID. We recommend using the prefix “CPF-” to indicate that you are using an Individual Tax ID.
If you are shipping to a business, enter the customer’s Business Tax ID, followed by a slash and their business name.
Shipping to Brazil with Stamps.com Windows Software
If you use the Stamps.com Windows software the process of adding a Tax ID to your shipment is just as easy. Within the International Tab of the software simply include the recipient’s Tax ID in the Delivery Address field under the recipient’s name.
For Individual Tax IDs use the format “CPF-” followed by the ID number:
For Businesses enter the customer’s Business Tax ID, followed by a slash and their business name:
The U.S. Postal Service has proposed new postage rates to be implemented on Sunday, January 26, 2020, subject to approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). Listed below are the highlights of the proposed 2020 USPS rate increase for customers buying postage online for DOMESTIC letters and packages:
The rate for a First Class Mail Letter (1 oz.) for postage purchased at the Post Office is NOT INCREASING in 2020, remaining at $0.55. If you print postage online (via Stamps.com), the Metered Mail rate will also NOT BE INCREASING, with rates remaining at $0.50 in 2020, a 5 cent discount off the Post Office price. Each additional ounce will cost $0.15 (no change from 2019).
The starting rate for a First Class Mail Flats/Large Envelope is NOT INCREASING in 2020 with the price remaining at $1.00 (1 oz.). Each additional ounce will cost $0.20 (a 5 cent increase from 2019). Postcards will remain at $0.35 in 2020.
Overall, prices for Priority Mail Express will increase by 2.2%. A 1 lb. package going to Zone 8 using Priority Mail Express will cost $38.05 in 2020 compared to $36.52 currently.
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelopes will also see a rate increase in 2020. The increases vary depending on the type of envelope, ranging from $0.07 to $0.15 per envelope.
Priority Mail will see an average increase of 2.8%. A 1 lb. package going to Zone 8 using Priority Mail will cost $8.42 in 2020 compared to $8.25 currently.
For 1 and 2 lb. packages, the Priority Mail rate increases are modest with a maximum increase of $0.17 for 1 lb. Zone 8, costing $8.42 (increase of 2.0%) and an increase of $0.33 for 2 lb. Zone 8 to $11.19 (increase of 2.9%). For packages weighing 4 lbs. or more, the rate increase are much more significant with increases of at least $0.53 per package.
Postage rates for Priority Mail Flat Rate products will increase in 2020. The popular Priority Mail Flat Rate Padded Envelope will cost $7.75 in 2020 compared to $7.55 currently, a $0.20 increase. Rates for the Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box will increase 40 cents, to $13.20 from $12.80 currently. Rates for the Large Flat Rate Box will increase 70 cents, to $18.30 from $17.60 currently.
Rates for Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes will be increasing for all shipping zones in 2020. A 5 lb. package going to Zone 8 using Regional Rate Box A will increase by $0.90 to $12.10 in 2020 compared to $11.20 currently.
Regional Rate Box A packages traveling shorter distances (up to Zone 5) are seeing a modest increase of up to 16 cents. Packages traveling to farther shipping zones are increasing much more – Zone 6 is seeing a 42 cents increase, Zone 7 is seeing a 58 cents increase and Zone 8 is seeing a 90 cents increase.
Overall rates for First Class Package Service will increase by 2.2%. A 15.999 ounce package for First Class Package Service traveling to zone 8 will increase $0.17 to $5.70 in 2020 from $5.53 currently.
Packages that weigh 9 to 15.999 ounces are all seeing increases of 10 cents or more. A package weighing 15.999 ounces traveling to Zone 8 is seeing an increase of 17 cents (3.0%) to $5.70 in 2020 from $5.53 in 2019.
Overall rates for Parcel Select Ground will increase by 2.5% in 2020. A 2 lb. package going to Zone 8 will increase $0.33 to $10.89 in 2020 from $10.56 currently.
NEW: Parcel Select Ground rates are now cheaper than Priority Mail for all weights and shipping zones. For a 2 lb. package traveling to Zone 8, Parcel Select is cheaper by 30 cents ($10.89) compared to Priority Mail ($11.19).
Media Mail rates will increase by 1.9% in 2020. A 1 lb. package traveling to Zone 8 will increase 5 cents, to $2.80 in 2020 compared to $2.75 currently.
Stamps.com Will Automatically Update to the New USPS Rates on January 26, 2020
Once the rates are approved by the PRC, Stamps.com will automatically update all USPS rates inside the software and web-based version (Stamps.com Online) on Sunday, January 26, 2020. If you are a Stamps.com customer, no additional actions are needed and you will AUTOMATICALLY see the 2020 USPS rates in the platform.