A friend recently moved to Poland where quilting supplies are not easy to obtain. She needs replacement 45 mm rotary blades - can I do this thru the US Postal Service ? Does anyone know a vendor that will ship directly to Poland ? Thanks for any help !

I don't see why you couldn't do this throught the USPS. Quilting supplies are shipped all over the world. Just my opinion! :-D

You may have to do a bit of calling around to find out if they can be sent directly. Most venders are more than happy to answer any questions if you call them.
Hope you find someone to help, Pam.

I have them shipped to me through the mail, I don't know why you couldn't. Can you ask your PostMaster?

The only thing I ran into shipping out of the States is that I had to declare what the contents of the package was. I'd definitely ask someone at the USPS how to word the label so it would go thru on the other end. My friend in Ukraine has a hard time getting her mail delivered. They seem to be suspicious of everything.

Hi: If you're going to ship directly, you ought to check out any restrictions, costs and conditions:
http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ps_008.htm

I found the following that will ship internationally. Haven't tried any though.

http://www.grandmasatticquilting.com/

http://www.nancysnotions.com/category/supplies.do

Yes Grandmas Attic does ship internationally. I worked there before I "retire" and they take car loads to the PO every day.
YTQ

I would think if they were packaged ok there shouldn't be a problem.

http://missouriquiltco.com/shop/shipping-handling

This shop ships internationally for free if the order is a certain amount. Maybe your friend can get a group order together.

I buy my rotary blades in bulk from eBay -- much cheaper. You could check eBay for sellers who ship internationally. That would probably be the easiest way to do it for the least amount of money. You may want to purchase insurance for the package, if insurance is available.

I have had no problems having blades shipped to me in the U.S. from eBay purchases. If there is a problem with shipping, it would probably be with customs at the other end or with theft at the other end.

Would she not be best ordering from an EU country? Lots of suppliers in UK, and also a good online supplier in Switzerland who ships to all European destinations. I can give names if necessary.

Last year at a quilt show in Lancaster, PA, I saw a tool that sharpens rotary cutter blades. Have not seen it in any quilt shops locally. Maybe do a www.google.com on this.

I just got five blades (sealed and in a plastic holder) from JoAnn's shipped through the mail. I also used to work at the Post office, they have international mail guidelines, some items are definitely not shippable to certain countries. I doubt that rotary blades are considered weapons. You could ship several items at once as "quilting supplies". Of course, it is up to customs as to if they open the package for search and/or seizure. But do check at your post office for a list of items that are unshippable.

Before you try to ship replacement rotary blades, have your friend check out the art supply shops in Poland. Here in Lebanon we have no quilt shops (not a one); therefore I can not get any cutting boards, templates, special fabrics or any other quilting tool. But I can find replacement blades for my rotary cutter at the local art supply shop. (I bought my rotary cutter there as well.) I can buy 10 blades in a package for less than 1 blade costs in the US.

Connie

I'm sure you could ship them

couldn't you just call them quilting or sewing notions?

Poland is not very far away for here. They can go to Germany and buy the supplies there. Or they can order it online in Germany or in the UK wich also belongs to Europe. And for cheap blades they can go to the toolstore. I'm sorry but I don't see why we should help.

You can find rotary cutting blades in toolstores???

sorry I wish I could help you. Penny

Yes you can find rotary cutters and blades in toolstores. Rotary blades are used for just about anything that can be cut with a blade; and they come in all sizes. Here in Lebanon, I found rotary cutters sold in the hardware section of our local mega-supermarket. The blades, unfortunately were all sold out, but they must stock them.

Tell your friend in Poland to begin thinking outside the box and look for her supplies in "unconventional" places. I'm sure she will begin to locate what she needs soon.

Lots of luck.
Connie