The U.S. Postal Service has TEMPORARILY suspended mail and parcel delivery to Hong Kong due to transportation issues with widespread cancellations and restrictions throughout the Hong Kong territory. Delivery service was suspended starting on Friday, January 14, 2022.
The USPS mailing and shipping disruption includes the following services:
- Priority Mail Express International
- Priority Mail International
- First Class Parcel International Service
- First Class Mail International
If your parcel is already in transit, either the USPS or Hongkong Post will endorse the item as “Mail Service Suspended — Return to Sender” and then place the package in the mail stream for return. The USPS will provide a full refund of the shipping costs paid when service to the country of destination is suspended.
Alternate Delivery Options to Hong Kong
If you have a shipment you need to send to Hong Kong during this suspension period, we recommend the following options:
- UPS International Shipping – get discounted rates up to 86% off with no peak surcharge
- GlobalPost International Standard – Get door-to-door tracking capabilities to over 200 countries
What is GlobalPost International Standard?
GlobalPost International Standard uses a network of postal carriers which provides a similar service to First Class Package International Service at a lower rate. If you don’t see GlobalPost International Standard as an option in your Stamps.com shipping software, contact Customer Care at 1-888-434-0055 (open Monday to Friday, 6 am to 6 pm PT) to request access to GlobalPost carrier services.
Parts one and two of this multi-part series focused on the kitchen and garage. Next stop? The office! You can pretend you’re a pirate looking for buried treasure as you enter the office of almost any estate sale.
Chairs
The first item you should look for is chairs. Chairs made by companies like Herman Miller and Stressless are incredibly popular. Herman Miller makes highly adjustable office chairs that are pricey when purchased new. Stressless makes recliners that sell for thousands at retail. (Look for the Stressless logo on the round adjuster knob.) You can purchase these comfort chairs for $50-$100 at estate sales and sell them for $500-$600 online.
Note: Since chairs are large and heavy, list them as local pickup only. People who are interested in these brands will often drive long distances to pick them up.
Pens
Next, be on the lookout for expensive ballpoint and fountain pens. Brands such as Cross, Parker, and Montblanc are always in demand.
Vintage Stereo Equipment
Many Americans love listening to music as they work. Vintage stereo equipment is a common sight in the office area of the typical estate sale. Recently, a friend purchased a Sansui 9090DB AM/FM receiver for $30. Since it was valuable, he had it refurbished at the local stereo shop. He sold it for $950 to a dealer who drove 400 miles to pick it up! (Ironically, the dealer didn’t care if it was refurbished because he has his employees inspect and improve the items he finds before selling them to his customers in Asia.)
Paperweights
In addition, keep your eyes peeled for signed paperweights. It is not uncommon to find high-end paperweights in the office area of an estate sale. Orient and Flume, for example, is a Northern California company that makes pieces that are highly collectible.
Office Supplies
The office is also a great place to stock up on supplies! Running a business can get expensive, and estate sales are fantastic places to purchase paper, envelopes, labels, and tape for almost nothing.
Stamps
Finally, be on the lookout for stamp collections. A few years ago, we bought a box full of random stamps for $5. The stamps weren’t collectibles, but they were worth about $250 at the post office. We didn’t have to buy stamps for a long time!
So the next time you’re out and about looking for buried treasure at an estate sale, check out the office, mate! You won’t regret it!
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 European Union (EU), a group of 27 countries including Germany and France, will be implementing new trade rules for U.S. sellers beginning July 1, 2021. The EU has modified the Value-Added Tax (VAT) – a tax on goods and services bought and delivered to the EU countries. Sellers in the U.S. will need to understand how to comply with these new laws and prepare for the changes.
What changes to the EU VAT will take place on July 1, 2021?
Prior to July 1, 2021, no VAT fees were required for commercial goods valued up to 22 euros (approximately $26). Goods valued at 22 euros or less were able to be shipped into EU countries with no additional fees required for buyers.
After July 1, 2021, all goods imported to the EU valued at up to 150 euros (approximately $178) will be subject to VAT and items valued at more than 150 euros will be subject to VAT and duties. VAT rates are different for each EU country based on the service and type of product being delivered, with most VAT fees ranging around 20% of the total cost (sales price plus shipping).
| Product Price | Until June 30, 2021 | Starting July 1, 2021 |
| €0 – €22 | Exempt – No VAT required | VAT applied (with IOSS for B2C, or upon import for B2C/B2B) |
| €23 – €150 | VAT applied upon import | VAT applied (with IOSS for B2C, or upon import for B2C/B2B) |
| Above €150 | VAT applied upon import | VAT applied with duties (Upon import, Standard VAT Payment) |
What are my options for collecting VAT for EU countries?
The new rules give sellers two options:
#1 Preferred Method: Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS): The EU member countries have created a new electronic portal for B2C transactions, known as the IOSS, which makes it easier for online retailers to comply with the new VAT rules. This program is intended to help expedite the Customs and VAT collection process and allow the EU buyer to see the full landed cost including the VAT fees at the point of sale (i.e. inside the shopping cart). Businesses will need to register on the IOSS portal, provide an IOSS tax identification number during Customs creation and provide the recipient’s email and/or phone number along with a Harmonized System (HS) Code for the product being shipped. Online retailers only need to be registered with a single EU member country via the IOSS system to access trading within all 27 EU countries.
Additionally, retailers will need to establish an “intermediary,” a representative located in any one of the 27 EU countries who, representing the online retailer, will submit the VAT payments each quarter as well as process any returns.
Important Note: The IOSS portal is NOT required for U.S. sellers. It is an optional program intended to expedite e-commerce order delivery to EU countries, while collecting VAT efficiently. U.S. sellers who do not register for IOSS will have their packages delivered Delivery Duty Unpaid, meaning the buyer must pay VAT and potential additional customs clearance fees before the shipping carrier will release their package.
#2 Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU): This option only requires the recipient’s email or phone number, an accurate product description and a HS Code. The downsides to shipping orders using DDU are that if the VAT is not paid at the shopping cart, the buyer in the EU country becomes responsible for paying the fees before they can receive their product. Buyers could get “buyer’s remorse” due to high extra fees required to receive their product and abandon the order, asking for a full refund.
Additionally, not using the IOSS system can cause items to be held up in customs for lengthy periods of time until the VAT is paid. Overall, this option will lead to a poor customer experience and reflect badly on your business.
Selling to International Buyers using a Marketplace?
Online retailers using marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy will have a separate set of VAT rules. Marketplaces are considered to be involved in the sale and supply of goods, and thus the EU is requiring the marketplace to be liable for collecting and paying the VAT fees. Starting July 1, 2021, Marketplaces will collect VAT from the buyer based on the country of delivery and remit it to the responsible tax authorities. Note: VAT will be collected on the full value of the transaction including shipping costs, as the shipping costs are considered part of the total purchase.
What about Customs Forms?
Your formal customs declaration will now require more information about the items you are sending. Pro forma and commercial invoices must provide clear and accurate data including a description of goods, the quantity of items, itemized values and custom tariff codes. It is also recommended that you provide an accurate product description and HS Code. GlobalPost Logistics has a free tool that generates HS codes for any product using the World Customs Organization schedule.
What steps should I take now?
Merchants need to register with the IOSS portal before July 1, as well as find a VAT intermediary like Hellotax, Simply VAT, Taxually or Avalara. Next you will need to make sure your shopping cart has the capabilities to collect VAT at the point of purchase. Most shopping cart vendors are preparing for the July 1, 2021 deadline and have set up special tax rules inside the cart settings page. If you use Shopify, check out the information under “Setting up EU taxes” in the help center section on their website.
Final thoughts.
Registering with the IOSS portal and selecting an intermediary can help your business generate brand loyalty and customer retention by creating a hassle-free VAT collection. July 1 is right around the corner, so make sure you set yourself up for success by complying with these new tax rules.
Effective today, June 4, 2020, the USPS will restore mail service to 17 Military Mail ZIPs. This announcement comes after the USPS restored service to 15 Military Mail destinations just last week. All 22 ZIPs were previously suspended on April 9 due to a lack of transportation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Including the suspensions lifted tomorrow, the USPS has now restored service to a total of 40 Military Mail ZIPs in the past two weeks. For a full list of USPS service alterations due to coronavirus visit the Stamps.com Cornavirus Updates Page.
Mail Service to the following ZIPs is being restored:
AE DPO 09283-9997
AE DPO 09488-9997
AE DPO 09489-9997
AE DPO 09734-9997
AE DPO 09813-9997
AE DPO 09817-9997
AE DPO 09820-9997
AE DPO 09828-9997
AE DPO 09831-9997
AE DPO 09846-9997
AE DPO 09854-9997
AE DPO 09857-9997
AE DPO 09860-9997
AE DPO 09864-9997
AE DPO 09867-9997
AE DPO 09869-9997
AP DPO 96532-9997
When did the new USPS rates start?
The 2021 USPS postage rate increase went into effect on Sunday, January 24, 2021.
Is the price of a First Class Mail letter (1 oz.) increasing in 2021?
If you purchase postage at the Post Office, the rate will remain $0.55. If you print postage online (via Stamps.com), the Metered Mail rate will increase by one cent to $0.51 in 2021, a 4 cent discount off the Post Office price. Each additional ounce will increase by 5 cents to $0.20.
When printing postage online for First Class Mail letters, do I get a discounted rate?
Yes, customers who print postage using Stamps.com save 4 cents per letter, paying only $0.51 instead of $0.55 (Post Office rate) – a 7% savings! This discount is known as the “Metered Mail” rate and is available for all postage printed using an approved PC Postage/online postage vendor such as Stamps.com or through a postage meter.
Can I buy $0.51 “Metered Mail” rate postage stamps at the Post Office?
No, the “Metered Mail” rate $0.51 postage stamps can only be printed using an approved PC Postage/online postage vendor such as Stamps.com or through a postage meter. The “Metered Mail” $0.51 stamps cannot be purchased at the Post Office.
When printing shipping labels online, do I get a
discounted rate?
Yes, customers who print postage online automatically qualify for discounted shipping rates from the USPS. Customers who print USPS shipping labels can received discounts up to 40% when purchasing Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express or First Class Package Service. These discounted rates are automatically calculated when you print a shipping label inside the Stamps.com platform.
Can I print UPS shipping labels inside Stamps.com?
Yes! Along with USPS shipping services, Stamps. com now allows you to print labels for UPS shipping to fit your needs. Learn More about UPS Shipping in Stamps.com.
Has the USPS added new fees for larger/heavier packages in 2021?
Yes, the USPS has added an overweight/oversize surcharge of $100 for packages that exceed the 70 lb. maximum weight limitation or the 130-inch length plus girth maximum dimensional size limit.
Has USPS international shipping rates changed in 2021?
Yes, as with domestic rates, international rates have also increased in 2021. Additionally, the number of country groups has increased for USP international shipping services. Country groups are used to determine shipping rates for international packages based on the distance and country the package is traveling to. Priority Mail Express International country groups are increasing from 17 to 20, Priority Mail International country groups are increasing from 17 to 20, and First Class Package International Service country groups are increasing from 9 to 20 in 2021.
I am a Stamps.com customer. Do I need to take any actions to get the new rates after January 24, 2021?
No, if you are a Stamps.com customer, you do not need to take any action. Stamps.com will automatically update all USPS rates inside the software and web-based version.
Returns are an inevitable part of ecommerce, and particularly during the holiday season when shoppers with good intentions buy gifts for their loved ones but might pick out the wrong size, style or color for their intended recipient.
One study released earlier this year by Narvar found that Millennials (under the age of 30) and affluent shoppers place a strong emphasis on the online return experience. The generous returns policies offered by companies such as Zappos (fast and free, with a 365-day window) make it easy for shoppers of any demographic to view returns as a natural part of the ecommerce buying cycle. They’ve come to expect convenience and transparency during the process, and might take their business elsewhere if they aren’t offered free returns—84 percent of those surveyed by Narvar said restocking fees would prevent them from making a purchase, and 74 percent said return shipping fees would prevent them from making a purchase.
Here are five steps an ecommerce seller can take to make returns easier, both after the holidays and all year long:
- Create a returns portal
Consider creating an online returns portal for your customers where they can input information about their return and print out the shipping label and other necessary documents. This allows you to control the return shipping label and the cost associated with returning the item so you can avoid customers expecting you to pay when they opt for higher-cost shipping options. This returns portal also gives you the ability to monitor data and generate reports on your product returns. Having this information readily accessible can help save you money in the future—you might find patterns in these reports that draw your attention to problems on your site, such as inaccurate product specifications or poor photo quality.
- Use a return merchandise authorization system
The Return Merchandise Authorization, or RMA, system can be a part of your returns portal. Having an RMA number allows your inbound shipping team to easily pull up the return details of the order, and coding that RMA number or other return information on the label makes for easier processing once a returned product arrives. This way your inbound shipping team knows what the product is and why it’s coming back, and your warehouse team has a view of inventory due back to the warehouse.
- Provide good return tracking
Tracking of a returned item is imperative. Transparency and tracking capabilities are critical in the returns process, which is why it’s imperative to provide good return tracking information to your customer. As a retailer, you should keep shoppers informed of return package status—consider sending an email when their return enters the mailstream or when you receive the package, so customers aren’t worried that their packages could be lost. It’s also important to keep them informed regarding their refund status so they know when to expect to see a credit posted to their account. Transparency by way of quality return tracking communication can also help alleviate the amount of inquiries coming into your customer support team.
- Allow customers to return online purchases in person
Shoppers want the option to return online purchases to a brick-and-mortar store—sometimes it’s easier to drop in than it is to print out a label, package up a return and ship it. In addition to making the return more convenient for your customer, this gives the store the opportunity to immediately recapture a sale and possibly upsell or cross sell since the buyer is already on site. Plus, an immediate refund helps foster that positive customer experience.
#5 Create (or improve your) returned product review process
Develop a good product review process for your returns so the team knows how best to handle returned items. Can the product be returned back to stock as new/unused? Would it be better to repair or otherwise fix the item so it can go back into stock as reconditioned? Does the product need to be flat-out destroyed?
Other things to think about when developing your returned product review process:
- Which team initiates a refund or exchange once you’ve received the returned item?
- How long does it take to process an exchange or refund, and are you clearly communicating this process with the customer?
- Do you have accounting processes in place to handle the product coming back into inventory, reversing the sales tax collected and tax liability?
Yes, returns take some work, but if done right, they can help you attract customers and build brand loyalty.
The USPS has resumed services to eight countries that were previously suspended. Normal mail services have once again resumed to The Bahamas, Butan, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa.
As of September 23, 2020, 37 counties remain on the USPS Suspension list. For more information visit the Stamps.com Coronavirus Shipping Page.
Additionally, the USPS has received updates from two international postal carriers regarding their response to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Canada: Canada Post has announced that the delivery procedure changes previously announced remain in effect. Additionally, Canada Post has restored the 15-day limit for customers to retrieve their parcels after receiving a card with instructions. Mail items will be returned to sender if they are not collected within 15 days.
El Salvador: Correos de El Salvador has advised that the closure of El Salvador International Airport has had a direct impact on inbound and outbound mail items. As a result, the processing and delivery of mail is subject to delays.
The USPS as received communications from five international carriers announcing extensions of existing service alterations. Be advised that USPS packages sent to these locations may be affected. For a full list of all international service disruptions visit the Stamps.com Coronvirus Updates Page.
Brazil
Correios Brazil has extended measures aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19 will continue until further notice. Customers should expect delays.
Colombia
Servicios Postales Nacionales has advised that the Colombian Government has extended the mandatory isolation until September 1, 2020. The postal service will continue to provide mail services, however, customers should expect significant delays.
Honduras
Empresa de Correos de Honduras (Honducor) has advised that Honduras will remain in lockdown until August 9, 2020 or a later date to be communicated in due course.
Lebanon
LibanPost will begin resuming postal services today, August 10, 2020.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation has advised that due to border closures, inbound and outbound services and service delivery standards cannot be guaranteed until further notice.