Remember, First Class mail has limited tracking and sometimes having tracking makes a difference between a lost package and a delayed package.

If you MUST ship to Brazil we recommend sending your shipments via a service like FedEx, UPS, or DHL as the tracking systems they offer are better than First Class or Priority Mail.

Update: This may be a big reason for the problems. See here: http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ab_028.htm.

Excerpt:

Observations 

1. First-Class Mail International items may not contain dutiable articles.
2. Import licenses are required for many kinds of goods and senders should ascertain from the addressee before mailing that the necessary documents are held.
3. Imports are allowed by mail, including mail order catalog shipments, up to a value of U.S. $500 (U.S. $1000 for computer software) without the requirement of an import license provided the item is not for resale. Shipments valued at no more than U.S. $50 are duty free and are delivered to the addressee; shipments above U.S. $50 can be picked up at the post office upon payment of import duties. Imports that are prohibited or subject to special regulations must comply with applicable Brazilian government provisions. Identical shipments from the same source to the same person or address in Brazil within a 90 day period are considered part of the same shipment and may be subject to confiscation. Other merchandise that usually enters duty free includes items such as newspapers, maps, books, and magazines.

 

So, First Class shipments are not allowed if they are dutiable.

Here is a great example of a First Class International shipment to Brazil:

Tracking/Customs # LJ291774754US (If the tracking link is expired, please see the image, below).

If you track it via the USPS, you see:

Detailed Results:

• Arrive USPS Sort Facility, December 23, 2011, 3:09 am, KEARNY, NJ 07032
• Depart USPS Sort Facility, December 23, 2011, 2:52 am, KEARNY, NJ 07099
• Processed at USPS Origin Sort Facility, December 22, 2011, 8:07 pm, KEARNY, NJ 07099
• Electronic Shipping Info Received, December 22, 2011
• Accepted at USPS Origin Sort Facility, December 22, 2011, 6:52 pm, VERONA, NJ 07044
• Acceptance, December 22, 2011, 4:05 pm, VERONA, NJ 07044

Based on these results, you can assume the package is lost or is in Kearny, NJ on 12/23/2011.

If you track that same package using Brazil’s website (http://websro.correios.com.br/sro_bin/txect01$.QueryList?P_LINGUA=001&P_TIPO=001&P_COD_UNI=LJ291774754US) you would see the package was delivered on 1/23/2012 (If the tracking link is expired, please see the image, below).

That is more details than the USPS provides, plus, it shows that there was a delivery! This gives you and the recipient much more visibility.

A great website to bookmark is http://www.track-trace.com/post. It lets you track locally, then in the destination countries website.

International shipments may not all have tracking services enabled, but make sure to check for those that do. Once the USPS and their partner postal systems start to work in sync, International shipping will be much easier and work just like shipping a package next door.

Once again following UPS, FedEx has announced their 2012 rate changes. The changes will take place on January 2, 2012; the same day that the new UPS rates take place. Below is a list of some of the changes

FedEx Rate Changes for 2011:

• Rates increased an average of 5.9%. The rate increase was partially offset by adjusting the fuel price at which the fuel surcharge begins, reducing the fuel surcharge by 2%.
• Minimum rates for FedEx Express services changed.
• SmartPost rates increased.
• Additional Handling Surcharge increased from $8 to $8.50.
• Delivery Area Surcharge - The surcharge for commercial and extended commercial shipments increased from $1.85 per package to $2 per package.
• FedEx Express and FedEx Ground services- The surcharge for residential shipments increased from $2.75 per package to $3 per package.
• FedEx Express and FedEx Ground services – The charge for Direct Signature Required increased from $3.25 per package to $3.50 per package

The rate change that Shipsurance can help offset is the  annual raise in Declared Value cost:

• Declared value fees for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground services – Increased from $0.75 to $0.80 per $100 of value. For U.S. package services, the charges apply to shipments valued in excess of $100, and the minimum charge increased from $2.25 to $2.40.

ShipStation is a new, web-based shipping solution from the developers of the Auctane Shipping Manager eBay Application. Since the program is web-based, there is no software to install on your computers and you can ship from any computer station (pun intended). It currently supports shipments sent via the United Stated Postal Service (USPS), UPS, and through Express One. They also provide you with a free DYMO Endicia account, which allows you to print USPS labels and purchase postage directly from DYMO Endicia. ShipStation also integrates directly to major marketplaces and shopping cart solutions to make managing orders seamless. This real-time integration makes your order fulfillment and shipping process quick and easy. Some of the channels and shopping carts it integrates with are:

• eBay
• Amazon
• Magento
• Volusion
• PayPal
• Payvment
• Zencart
• Google Checkout
• Buy.com
• Etsy
• Shopify
• ChannelAdvisor
• BigCommerce
• X-Cart

Remember, Shipsurance offers complete coverage for your packages in transit and our coverage is real, regulated insurance for parcels and packages shipped domestically and worldwide.

We apologize for interrupting your holiday shipping!

1. Verify Your Shipping Labels and Addresses
   Is the shipping destination clear and correct on the label? Is the street address an “Avenue” or a “Place”? Make sure to verify the address with an address verification service. Also, if you are shipping overseas and double boxing, add another address label to the inner box. You can never take too many precautions.
2. Add the Signature Confirmation Service
   Signing for a package may inconvenience some buyers, but if you are shipping a package with a value, it is the safest way to verify delivery. During this very busy time of the year packages that the carriers normally stick around and get a signature on are left at doorsteps or driveways so the carriers can quickly move on to their next delivery. Requesting a signature confirmation from the shipping carriers for higher dollar shipments shows your buyers you are committed to making sure they get their packages in time for the holidays.
   If requesting a signature is not an option (or too costly), make sure to ship your packages with a tracking number so delivery can be confirmed!

3.  Understand the Carrier Schedules
   The shipping  carriers also take time off. Be wary of the holidays that they close their entire shipping operation. Visit the carrier websites for exact dates and last minute shipping options.
1. FedEx Last Days To Ship
2. UPS Year End Holiday Schedule
3. USPS Holiday Shipping and Mailing Dates

4. Packing Tips

1. Boxing
   Use a strong, new shipping box. Leave space for cushioning inside the carton and make sure your items are not pressed against the side of the box. Use ample padding of newspaper, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or fitted InstaPak inside your packaging. Ample padding is a minimum of 2-3 inches.

2. Double Box Fragile or Valuable Items
   If you are shipping anything breakable or valuable, adding another shipping box can make a world of difference. Even if you are using bubble wrap or packing peanuts, an additional box can protect you in 2 ways. (1) The additional box and accompanying packing material adds strength and padding to the package. (2) If someone along the mail stream decides to poke a hole in the box to see what falls out, they only poke through the outside box. Also, place another shipping label on the inner box in the case that it gets separated from the outer box. This can happen when it gets opened by customs or the outer box gets damaged in transit.

3. Weather-Proof Your Shipments
   Winter brings cold, rain, sleet, and snow to many parts of the world. If your shipments can be damaged by the elements, make sure to wrap them in a plastic or weatherproof bag. This way, they will have some protection if they are left out in the elements.

4. Use Proper Shipping Tape
   Scotch tape is not meant to secure a box for shipping. Use pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced tape, or paper tape. 

5. Insure Your Shipments
   No, this is not a shameless plug for our service. With the tremendous influx of packages being shipped during the holidays, accidents do happen and packages do go missing. Make sure you protect your bottom line with shipping insurance coverage for your packages.  Cover your shipments with Shipsurance and pay less for more coverage.

Click here for a printable PDF version.

Shipwire recently added the ability to manage the fulfillment process for items stored in your own warehouse, office, or garage. Through their web-based system, you can mange you own inventory and ship packages to your customers using their tools.

A great way to understand their services is through this diagram:

Click to Enlarge

Shipwire is a great option to managing your inventory while you grow your business. To read more about their services and for a special offer, click here.

TrueShip is an industry leading shipping software developer.  Their flagship product, ReadyShipper, offers users one of the most robust and easy-to-use shipping systems available.  It gives you one platform to import, organize, process and print all your shipping labels.  Every download includes fully integrated USPS shipping featuring Stamps.com with your choice of UPS or FedEx.  ReadyShipper also offers incredible discounts on USPS priority, flat rate and express mail.  You can quickly and easily print standard 4 x 6 shipping labels or choose an exclusive ReadyLabel format for an all in one invoice and shipping label for added efficiency.

ReadyShipper was built to plug into your current system.   It supports both Mac and PC and it’s compatible with Amazon, eBay, Volusion, Magento, OrderMotion, Network Solutions, QuickBooks and many more.  ReadyShipper also has a custom CSV import wizard and supports XML and ODBC import for those systems that are not directly supported.  This allows ReadyShipper to work with almost every eCommerce system on the market.  It also allows your business to keep the same shipping software as you grow into new sales channels.

Any shipping software can print labels, but ReadyShipper is loaded with features to help automate your entire shipping process.  Every download includes the auto-emailer to send out tracking and shipment confirmations to your customers automatically.  ReadyShipper also offers an auto import option so your orders can be automatically imported on a timed basis.  All your international labels and additional documents are created by ReadyShipper as well.  There’s no reason to fill those custom documents out individually or by hand.

Complimenting a robust set of shipping tools, ReadyShipper offers Shipsurance discount insurance on all UPS, FedEx and USPS shipments.  It’s easy and free to sign up.  There are no monthly minimums on the number of shipments to qualify so you can get started saving even if you need to insure just one package.

ReadyShipper Pro is available for a 14 day free trial and it is just $19.95 per month after your trial.  ReadyShipper Pro shipping software is available for download today at TrueShip.com.  Call TrueShip at 877-818-7447 with any questions.