That's a good point, about the gift thing.

When I sent my star blocks over I had to fill out the customs form and just ticked "gift". Never realised that the reason was for tax purposes.

A friend of mine went to Australia last year and bought so much fabric that she had to post it home, it was cheaper than paying excess baggage. I don't think she got charged tax for it.

I used a smaller one for the IRR centers and it has a 4 lb. limit for international. The best source for information on this is the USPS web site. You can really figure out what is the best for your particular situation. I finally learned to google VAT and UK (since that is where my shipments were going) and learned the limits for the customs forms. I would suggest that you do a little research on that aspect prior to sending your package out.

I think they just take your word for it. Except for the photos, we wrapped our gifts in wrapping paper and ribbon. Might help? :D

However, I would do as sandpat recommends and Google VAT/country to find out what the legal limitations are for taxable value.

If I am remembering correctly, when I was overseas and shipped stuff I bought home to myself, there was either a value limit per box or a value limit per day I could send. It was quite generous. But, that was shipping to the U.S.; other countries may be much more interested in collecting tax on things coming into their territory.

I'm not sure about the envelops (flat rate), but I know that the boxes, you can send up to 20 pounds for the flat rate internationally at one price. I'm still trying to get 20 pounds into one. Have gotten up to I think 13 pounds at the most. lol

Customs forms can be a pain in the arse, but yes, make sure you read the fine print about them. The forms have changed too. It used to be this nice form where you could write in big letters, now it's smaller blocks (I don't like that).
And yes....I have to fill them out from here (Guam) going to the US even tho Guam is a territory of the US. Go figure.

I got curious about how much fabric weighs, so I pulled out my postal scale and some one-yard pieces of batik I bought the other day. Four yards of batik weighed about 1 lb.

The $12.95 flat rate international priority box has a limit of 4 lbs on it. I'm not sure how much the box weighs, but theoretically it would be possible to ship about 15 yards of fabric that way. I'm just not sure that 15 yards of fabric would fit into the box.

If I think of it, next time I'm at the post office I'll see if I can pick up one of those boxes to see how much fabric will fit inside.

Edit: I just realized the same flat rate boxes are used for both domestic and international use, and I have one of the boxes here. I'm going to see how much yardage can be packed into it and post later!

when i shipped to france, i shipped a squishy - that is i took a heavyweight plastic bag and put it into another heavyweight plastic bag (the kind you get when you order clothes through a catalog) i thought it would weigh less that way. i stuffed just under 4 lbs in it and off it went. it cost around $20. so guess what wins. it's almost cheaper to send TWO flat rate boxes.

Realized the flat rate box I have here is the bigger one. I will stop at the post office on Monday and pick up a small one, though. Still want to find out if 15 yards of fabric will fit!

The box that Terri sent which is about 12" square [ish!!] by about 5" deep cost $41.95 to send to Spain. I have never had any issues of tax to pay :D

When you fill out the customs form, there is a box to check on it. I always check GIFT.

you are all being so helpful. there are issues that i never would have
thought to bring up at the post office.

on the flat rate boxes is there ANY limit on weight? can you stuff in whatever you can?