How do you ship something first class international?

How do I ship something at the post office?

• I'm starting to sell handmade items on etsy.com, but after a order is placed I honestly don't know what to do from there... I want to ship using USPS First Class. The packages are about 9"x6" and less than 13 oz. I have my own bubble envelopes I use, but what do I have to do before I go to the post office? Do I hand-write the addresses? Print something out? I've recieved a couple of items via USPS First Class, and every one of them have a white piece of paper taped to it with the addresses, a bar code, and a bunch of other stuff on it.... I probably sound ridiculous, but can anyone help me out here?

• Answer:

  Do you have a paypal account set up to get paid through? If so, THAT is how you get those lovely labels with the codes and postage already on them. You need a GOOD scale, one that weighs in OUNCES. It does not have to be a mail scale; I use a digital food scale, myself. Pack your item, weigh it. Sign in to paypal, click 'Print Shipping Label' next to your item. Follow the steps to set up your shipping label. Paypal will take the money out of your paypal account and send it to USPS for you, then let you print up your label with all the information on it. Tape it to your sealed envelope and you are good to go. If it is under 13 ounces, you can mail it at any post box, leave it in YOUR mailbox for the postman to pick up, etc. BTW, ALWAYS get a tracking number. On paypal, it is about another 20 cents to get that, and it will save you endless headaches and problems if you package gets lost. If you ship something EXPENSIVE, INSURE it. It is worth the extra money to feel safe. Finally, if you don't use paypal, or if you ship internationally, you will HAVE to go to the post office. Put the address and your return address on the package, take it there. They will weigh it and ask how you want it shipped. Again, get a tracking number. For international, you will have to get a CUSTOMS form to fill out - and you can't track it unless the buyer is willing to pay a LOT more money. You can go to the USPS SITE to read about international shipping so you see HOW EXPENSIVE it can be and make sure you charge properly so you don't get stuck losing money.