International Shipping from South Africa

Hello,

I have recently decided to start selling my coins on eBay, and have gone through the process of creating a seller account. However, there is a problem that I am facing, and that is the shipping of the coins.

Every courier in South Africa except Fedex and DHL prohibit the mailing of currency or numismatic coins. Fedex and DHL do ship the coins but they charge an expensive premium for it - almost $53 to ship one. Would anybody even pay that much shipping for a $3 coin on eBay?

I am at a roadblock. Is there anyone from South Africa or just someone who is able to assist me in this matter? I would appreciate it kindly.

I find that Russia (who have similar law) don't actually enforce it. Then again we're all good people and would never break any rules :) and so I would recommend only selling higher value coins and using the options you're provided, DHL and FedEx. I have had good experiences with DHL, can't say the same about FedEx.

I have purchased coins from South Africa a few time and they were just sent in envelopes with a reasonable amount of postage. (Obviously no loose in the envelopes.) I suggest trying to find other international coin sellers in South Africa and ask about their experiences.

Inside the US eBay allows users to search sellers in a local area or inside the US. Is there a corresponding filter when using eBay from South Africa to help you find other local sellers?

jbridger311

I find that Russia (who have similar law) don't actually enforce it. Then again we're all good people and would never break any rules :) and so I would recommend only selling higher value coins and using the options you're provided, DHL and FedEx. I have had good experiences with DHL, can't say the same about FedEx.

It seems one of my only options is to use DHL, but who would pay that much in shipping when they can get the same coin from someone in the US?

bjherbison

I have purchased coins from South Africa a few time and they were just sent in envelopes with a reasonable amount of postage. (Obviously no loose in the envelopes.) I suggest trying to find other international coin sellers in South Africa and ask about their experiences.

 

Inside the US eBay allows users to search sellers in a local area or inside the US. Is there a corresponding filter when using eBay from South Africa to help you find other local sellers?

The only item locations on eBay are US, North America, Asia, Europe and Default. Bummer.

The coins that you received from South Africa, which courier were they sent with - if you remember?

Steenkamp

 

The coins that you received from South Africa, which courier were they sent with - if you remember?

They came though the US postal service, and I expect they were mailed through the South African postal service but I don't have the packaging to verify.

bjherbison

Steenkamp

 

The coins that you received from South Africa, which courier were they sent with - if you remember?

They came though the US postal service, and I expect they were mailed through the South African postal service but I don't have the packaging to verify.

That's okay, thanks. I would use the post office to send my coins if they were trustable and didn't take a few months to get the coins there.

I completely get your concern about the South African Post Office. I sold collectibles out of SA years ago, and the post was so slow it felt like a coin could cross the ocean faster by pigeon. Lost items and months long delays made me stop trusting them, especially for anything with real value. DHL is reliable and fast but yeah, the shipping cost just kills most low value deals. When the shipping outweighs the item, buyers will back off unless it’s super rare or desirable. If you ever end up shipping higher value stuff or bigger collections, there are platforms like ThreeMovers that help compare international shipping and moving options. I’ve found them useful for bigger shipments where price and reliability both matter.