Sending pottery and ceramics by post
I handmake pottery with a dog/Labrador/gundog theme, quite a lot is sent to places such as the United States, for this reason I had to investigate the best ways to safely send my work abroad. I got to know my local Post Office, picking up leaflets on delivery methods, package sizes, weights and prices. I felt more confident about sending pottery and ceramics by post once I knew what could be achieved, what the cost would be and that I could pack and deliver my orders securely.
Packing: I’ve found 5, 6 and 10-inch boxes most useful and I like to double-box. I wrap and pack my pottery item into a close fitting box, then put that into another larger box with shock-absorbent packing between the two. Items must never touch (eg. a teapot and its lid).
Sending to UK: Royal Mail 1st or 2nd signed-for is great for smaller work and includes compensation of up to £50. A 6-inch cubic box nicely takes a ceramic mug and weighing under 1kg costs just £3.95 sent 2nd class signed-for. More valuable items may need Royal Mail Special Delivery, the guaranteed next day service being good value for packages up to 2kg at just £11, including £500 compensation. I’ve found Royal Mail is also great for larger, heavier items sent within the UK.
Sending abroad: Royal Mail International Tracked and Signed allows me and my customers to track worldwide deliveries, taking less than 10 working days to the USA. Parcels can have a WxHxD total of up to 90cm and weight up to 2kg. With careful packing you can get small and medium-sized ceramics within these restrictions at a delivery price of between £13 and £22. Larger or heavier than this and the likes of DHL is required who offer (for an extra fee) insured worldwide deliveries of ceramics. With moderately priced items I’ve found other countries’ import duties to be inconsequential, although if due it will be the buyer who pays them.
Please note the prices and details above were correct as at January 2019, please check at your Post Office for current prices, here is a link to Royal Mail’s price finder.
You can browse and purchase Simon’s ceramics in his online Etsy shop at OlleyPottery.com