The Easiest Way to Ship Books Internationally

Whether you are a small book-selling business looking to honor orders to customers overseas, a student sending textbooks, or a book lover sending a favorite novel to a friend abroad, shipping books internationally is a common need. However, it comes with several steps that one needs to follow to ensure the package arrives at the intended destination safely, affordably, and most importantly in one piece.

This article takes you through the entire shipping process, from packaging and carrier selection to customs paperwork, so that you can confidently ship your books to any destination you wish in the world.

Preparing Your Books for Shipping

The first step is to organize the books you intend to ship. If it's more than one, stack them according to size and weight, with the bigger and heavier ones at the bottom to help minimize shifting during transit. Dust off the covers and make sure they are dry.

This may seem negligible, but moisture and debris can compromise packaging and even damage it during shipment. If they are signed, rare, or of sentimental value, you may have to consider insuring them.

Packaging Tips for Books

International shipping involves multiple handling points, sorting facilities, and sometimes exposure to the elements. This makes proper packaging important to prevent damage and keep the books secure throughout the journey. Let's look at a few tips on how to go about this.

Use the Right Box

The best way to ship books internationally is by using a sturdy shipping box. Choose a box that fits your books without leaving excess space, which can cause them to shift and get damaged. A big box will also increase your shipping costs due to dimensional weight pricing.

A strong, fitting corrugated cardboard box will be ideal for protection and also help reduce your shipping costs. Just avoid using previously used boxes, as books are heavy and require packaging that is in optimal condition.

Layering and Padding

Start with a layer of protective material at the bottom of the box. Wrap each of them individually if you are sending multiple copies or hardcover editions.

Also, add padding between the books and along the sides. This helps to prevent them from rubbing against each other. You don't want your books, especially those with glossy covers, arriving at the destination destroyed from rubbing against each other.

Seal it Securely

Use heavy-duty packing tape, and not duct or masking tape, to seal the packaging box. Seal all seams, including the bottom and edges, applying extra tape over the flaps.

Make sure you also label the box clearly with both the destination and return addresses. As a precaution, you can also place a duplicate address card inside the box in case the outer label is damaged or falls off.

Choosing the Right Shipping Method

So, how much does it cost to ship a book internationally? This will ultimately depend on the shipping method you use. There are several options to choose from, making it important to use the most appropriate and cost-effective method. This is because each method comes with its own benefits depending on your package contents and delivery timelines. Below are a few factors to keep in mind to get the shipping method right.

Book Rate vs. Standard Shipping

Book rate, also known as media mail in the USA, is a low-cost option of shipping books domestically using carriers like USPS. It doesn't, however, apply to international shipments. When shipping internationally, you will have to choose from standard shipping options.

Courier Options and Price Comparison

When comparing international carriers, always keep in mind price, tracking, delivery speed, and service coverage. Let's compare how three major players in the US fare on these:

1. USPS — offers First-Class International Package and Priority Mail International. These two are affordable for small packages but come with limited tracking.
2. DHL — it's fast and reliable, but often more expensive, especially for heavy shipments, making it an expensive option when the shipment involves several books.
3. Meest — offers a specialized shipping service with competitive international shipping rates, especially to Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Moldova, Poland, and Romania, where the company has an extensive network of local drop-off points.

By comparing book shipment prices among the top carriers in the US, Meest stands out as the best option, especially for shipments to Eastern Europe, including the CIS countries.

Tracking, Insurance, and Delivery Options

Tracking is crucial when shipping books overseas. This is because international shipping routes have multiple checking points, and tracking gives you peace of mind as you can monitor the movement and location of your package. While tracking is often included in delivery options like the express service, it may cost extra in the economy delivery options.

Rare, valuable, and irreplaceable editions should be insured. This adds a layer of protection in case something unforeseen happens while the books are in transit.

Customs and Documentation

In international shipping, you have to pay customs duties and provide the right documentation to avoid returns. In some countries, however, books don't attract customs duty, particularly when marked as gifts or for personal use. But you can't skip the paperwork.

Declaring Books

Every international book shipment must include a customs declaration form. The form requires:

• a detailed description of the contents — e.g., used books;
• quantity;
• estimated value;
• purpose — this may be a gift, a sale, or personal use.

Meest simplifies the process through its customer portal, where all customs details are captured during shipment creation.

Shipping as a Gift vs. Commercial Shipping

If you are shipping a book as a gift, clearly indicate that on the customs form. This is because gifts under a certain value threshold are exempt from duties in many countries.

On the other hand, if the shipment is for new books, maybe to a customer in another country, you'll need to provide the sale price. Declaring books correctly, whether new, used, or promotional, helps avoid customs delays and ensures your parcel clears smoothly.

Why Meest is a Great Choice for Shipping Books

Meest stands out as a top carrier for international book shipments from the USA for many reasons. Here are a few of these:

• specializing in personal-use shipments, including books;
• affordable rates, especially to Eastern Europe, where most carriers charge an arm and a leg;
• access to local drop-off locations and agents across the US;
• streamlined customs process and digital platform to create shipments easily;
• optional insurance and package tracking;
• multilingual customer support for customers shipping to Ukrainian-speaking regions.

Make sure you also take advantage of Meest’s bundled shipment options to send multiple books together at a reduced rate per book.

Conclusion

Shipping books internationally is more than just tossing them in a box and sending them overseas. It involves choosing the right packaging materials, choosing a reliable shipping service, and preparing accurate customs documentation. This will help you avoid damage, high shipping costs, and any potential issues that can cause delays.

Meest offers a tailored, affordable, and user-friendly experience for shipping books overseas, and especially for destinations in Eastern Europe. Whether you are just shipping a gift or honoring an international order, Meest simplifies the process and has you covered.

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