Question about insured mail
I'm trying to study as many shipping methods as possible, and I have a question about insured mail. I've read the various weight and size restrictions, but I don't understand whether it's mandatory to use an envelope as the type of packaging.
If I wanted to use a small box, is that possible? Or would that then make the parcel service mandatory?
5 comments
onlyjody
OP3 years agoThanks everyone for the advice!
heavenwelkin
·3 years agoSince you sell collectible trading cards, it's best to ship individual cards with registered mail in a padded envelope, while for full boxes it's best to use courier shipping because it's more convenient (given the weight) than registered and/or insured mail.
Kind regards.
vonbalden
·3 years agoAs reported above, there are several effective alternatives and without a doubt the small or larger custom-made cardboard packaging is an excellent solution. But be careful of the 'pitfall' (a term often used by my English acquaintance) of insured mail. If for any reason you were to be reimbursed by the post office for a valuable item, you would be rather surprised. To get a refund you have to prove the purchase with the relevant receipt or tax receipt carefully kept (imagine if the item is vintage!) of the item shipped, that it was perfectly intact at the time of shipping, and after biblical delays you would get less than half of the insured item because other rules come into play relating to the item which is not new. Personally I wouldn't even insure the 'mountain of light' diamond but would deliver it by hand. 😊
actar80
·3 years agoIt all depends on the carrier’s terms, but usually even if shipping in a small box is allowed, the dimensions and thickness are typical of a well-filled envelope; then you have to consider the difference in cost, which in some cases is minimal, and the possibility of shipping heavier weights with a parcel, allowing the customer a combined shipment of multiple items without increasing costs. For example, if you need to ship something by registered mail but the weight takes you over €9, at €9.40 there’s Poste Italiane’s standard parcel delivery and you can ship up to 3kg and it also includes 2 delivery attempts. Unfortunately, lately they’ve made the terms worse; before it was €9 up to 5kg for the first weight bracket.
You should read the terms of each shipping carrier and decide case by case, since the envelope or small box is not always the right choice, it depends on the situation. Then, apart from Poste Italiane, there are the various shipping brokers with whom you save money, but I’ve never used them because I believe they’re less reliable in case of problems, but someone with experience should answer you on that.
heavenwelkin
·3 years agofrom here you can see all the information about insured mail
https://www.poste.it/prodotti/posta-assicurata.html
it is not mandatory to use an envelope; you can also use a small box, as long as it still respects the maximum dimensions you’ll find on the site I included.
Kind regards.
P.S. if you need other rates
type on Google: "registered mail" or " posta1" or "posta4" or "book mailer"