Sprite Stitch Board!

Someone has just asked me about making something for them and quoting a price for a project that will be shipped to New Delhi, India. My problem is that I'm from the United States and I have no idea how much shipping internationally will cost.

Can anyone help me? I tried using Fedex's estimator, but it's hard when I really don't know what's going on. I won't be doing any epic projects, so I don't think the project itself will weigh very much.

I'm just completely clueless about this.

When I sent my miniswap item to Arkani a few weeks ago through USPS it cost me about $25 to ship it to Australia. The item was only a few ounces if I remember correctly. Most of the money went for the packaging and to actually send it there and not because of the weight of the item. I'm not sure about any of the other companies though.

Your shipping price should factor in not only what you have to pay the shipper but also your packaging as well. Things that I have found that push the shipping price up with the shipper are things like requiring a signature (which would also include tracking), parcel insurance, shipping times and location. Also, here in the UK the size of the parcel can make a difference. Weight only starts making a difference past a certain amount.

If I was you, I'd estimate for a 500g - 1kg package (as your packaging counts towards the weight) and get some prices from different companies. Add in the price of the packaging and then chuck a couple of extra bucks on top of that. That's what I do and it still comes out at reasonable rates

When you're getting quotes, be specific in exactly where you want to send it to. If your client is in Middle of Nowhere it may cost you significantly more than to a main city in the same country. That may also change your options (like it possible for me to send stuff from Ireland to a major city on the Eastern Seaboard of the US in 2 days, but if I'm sending past the Mississippi I can't do faster than 5 day service).

Make for damned sure you use a track able system even it costs more and be aware with the issues of the USPS right now prices may fluctuate between when you quote and when you send.

Also- warn them that you're not liable for any customs charges that may be levied on them once the package hits India. Customs is a b**ch and can really rack up the cost of a package, so make sure they know that possibility.