International Shipping: Best Courier for bulky $1000+ items

[power_source]

Hi All,

I've been around eBay for quite sometime but never as a prominent seller. I'm looking to post several reasonablly expensive items over the next months and would appreciate feedback/insight on the following:

• What is the best courier for shipping expensive and bulky items internationally from Canada (40lbs+ and valued over $1000)? Insurance is a must.
• What is the best way to present shipping fees in an ebay posting for accuracy? Should I generate a quote via UPS' site/go in-person etc.

I'm open to hearing others' recommedations on other keypoints, if any.

Cheers

[recped]

Define "bulky"

For International especially it's all about density

Define "International"

The "best courier" for one part of the world may not be the best for a different area

[reallynicestamps]

Avoid FedEX.

They have a nasty habit of not collecting import fees on delivery, billing the unsuspecting customer later, then when he refuses to pay, coming after the seller for the fees.

[intimewithmusic]

"International Shipping: Best Courier for bulky $1000+ items"

I recommend you start by determining which countries and which courier will be able to obtain a signature on delivery. You need a signature for any order with a valure of $750cad or more including shipping, taxes, and fees if applicable. ($750 all in).

Basically that leaves the USA. If you build in all those parameters for overseas the freight costs are extreme and signatures are probably not possible. 

With respect to the US consider if you wish to limit your shipments to the lower 48 states or include Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico etc where the frieght is much more and signatures may not be available.

No signature equals no ebay protection.