Hello everyone I’m new here I make handmade Jewellery and just started out. Can anyone please help me on what the most affordable worldwide shipping option I can use and what it would roughly cost for a parcel no more than 500g. I’ve looked into royal mail and they have various options with various price ranges and it’s a bit confusing to me. I’m considering this as I have more people contacting me outside of the UK so any tip would be really appreciated. Also how can I boost sales on my page as I’m not getting any luck on the site. Most contacts is from other source. Thanks guys. These are some of my works and my shop link
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Firstly your social media links do not work. You have to be on social media promoting every day on Folksy.
Your about me does not need every word to start with a capital, this comes across as shouting. Buyers on here buy from people they like to read about you as a person, check out other shops from experienced sellers.
The logo on your shop is confusing is it 2 k’s or 1.
Re the postage there is a blog post about it as posting to Europe is quite a problem now as you need a representative in each country. Germany you have to use only recyclable packaging. I on,y ship to UK mainland not Northern Ireland as they come under the EU rule and the USA
Check out this link GPSR - What you need to know as an artist or maker on Folksy | Folksy Blog
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Welcome to Folksy
Shipping to the US is fairly straightforward , the Americans do seem to expect tracking, so it is worth using a tracked service.
I use Royal Mail tracked (but not signed for)
Cost for up to 500g (if it fits large letter size) would be £13.80
You need to look up the customs code for your items and have that on hand when you post.
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Welcome to Folksy. I use Royal Mail tracked as well. It is as much for my peace of mind as it is for the buyer. I used to sell worldwide but now I only sell to America, Canada, England, Scotland and Wales because of the extra packaging and safety laws to Europe and Northern Ireland.
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Hi Deborah, I’m considering offering shipping to the USA in my shop. Where do you find the customs codes please?
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Www.gov.uk. Look up commodity codes
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Thank you, every day’s a school day! I knew nothing about this. I thought I just needed to find out the Royal Mail postage cost for the country that I wanted to send to and then take it to the post office!
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Alright thanks, noted and it’s 1 k. Refleksions
Okay thanks
Hi Louis, I just tried clicking on your shop name and it just takes me to the Folksy homepage which is strange, not sure what is happening there. I will see if i can find you in the search facility.
Managed to find you…welcome to Folksy.
I also use Royal Mail tracked for the US, my overseas customers prefer tracked only not signed for.
As others may have mentioned you need an export EORI number and commodity codes for your items. When posting overseas you need to fill in a CN22 label for your package.
I think your photos look good but the few items i looked at didn’t have sizes on, if I was buying a drop earring I would want to know the length.
Also each item I read was the same as the previous, I know it’s difficult trying to think of other ways to describe items but I try to mix mine up a bit so they don’t all read exactly the same, even just switch some of the sentences round, other people might disagree so it’s only my opinion.
I agree with Caroline re your ‘about section’ and confusion over your logo and shop name.
You have some lovely earrings, good luck with your new venture.
Hi Debby thanks for your observations I’ll try sorting it out. Is it possible to DM you later for more information on the EORI number and commodities code? I could really use the help. Thanks in advance.
Hi Louis, welcome to Folksy!
In case it helps, the uk.gov website has information on which EORI number you need, and a link to apply for one: Get an EORI number: Check which EORI number you need - GOV.UK
and the place to look up tariff codes for your goods is here:
(now edited to the correct link, sorry)
(This one is a bit head-bending but all the info is there, you just need to find the category that’s the best fit and there is a search facility that helps a lot!)
ETA: the jewellery code may depend on whether your gold findings are precious metal, i.e. actual gold - if they’re plated or vermeil the commodity code will likely be different (also you should state the materials accurately in your listing descriptions so as not to risk customers demanding a refund because the goods are not as described!)
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Hi Louis
Yes of course but all I can add is what @LooneySpoons has explained below.
The gov.uk website has all the info.
Firstly go to the website and search for EORI and apply for an export number, just follow the instructions on screen. Then look for commodity codes and search for jewellery or earrings etc.
I don’t know anything about jewellery or which codes you need for it so a jewellery maker may be better to advise than I can.
I think Caroline mentioned postage to EU and Northern Ireland… it’s a minefield, many of us no longer allow postage here but have a read of the link Caroline left you to make your own mind up.
The US is straightforward once you have your EORI and commodity codes sorted.
Sorry to add to what’s already a lot of information that you have to wade through, but you might want to think about whether you need to bother with the EORI number… Folksy’s advice on the blog previously has been that everyone should have one, but I don’t believe that’s true.
I’ve been selling overseas for 12 years now and never have had one. As I understand it, the primary purpose of the EORI registration is for business to business exports or for “controlled goods” but we’re actually business to personal use only and I don’t think anyone sells controlled goods on Folksy (things like alchohol, drugs, chemicals etc.).
Other circumstances where you will need one are:
- if you don’t use Royal Mail or Parcel Force for your postage - they handle all the customs malarky via the CN22 or CN23 forms that you fill in and stick to your package. I personally only use Royal Mail, so have never bothered.
- If you’re shipping with a courier like FedEx, DHL, or UPS, they may require an EORI for customs declarations.
- You’d also need one if you’re exporting in large volumes using Commercial Invoices (which you have to complete using those carriers mentioned before).
- If you’re importing goods to the UK for business use or resale.
- If you’re VAT registered (i.e. turning over more than £90k p.a. - wouldn’t that be lovely!
)
If you’re new to selling online then I’m sure all this is overwhelming - especially on a forum like this where you will get conflicting advice as we’re all just doing our best to understand all the rules and what we need to do! Like all of us, you’ll have to go through the headache of studying it all for yourself and making your own decisions.
Welcome to Folksy - hope you enjoy the journey 
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I agree the EORI is not required if selling for personal use. If exporting a quantity to business in the USA to sell on then an EORI number is required. I would have thought that the majority on Folksy only sell for personal use.
Just had another thought, make sure you check your business insurance for selling to the US, a lot of them don’t include it and some won’t insure you for it, I am with craft cover and pay extra for the US and have to estimate how much income I will make from selling there
If you are new to Folksy you should have received a number of emails with all the info you need for setting up shop, they send one or two a day for the first week or so and include a lot of info you might find helpful. Check your inbox and spam folders and work through them one at a time, I changed my email address a few months ago and received all the emails. I wish we had them years ago when we set up shop.