Postage costs to Asia

Hey guys..... I recall when I used to post stuff to places in Asia I usually get charged around $1.80 or something; today I went to post an item that was thin and weighed I think 63 grams. They tried to charge me $3.10..... me being surprised by this I asked about it and was told that it recently went up from about $3 to $3.10 & because it's over 50 grams it's more.

I really can't recall the weight of my other parcels I sent awhile back that cost like $1.80, but doesn't $3.10 seem a bit outrageous to you?

I used to get charged $2.20 and it recently went up to $2.25 I think, excluding bubble mailer.
Now though, if it's for ebay, I wouldn't send unless registered and I did one to Hong Kong other day and it was $19.65 and $22.35 to USA.

Haha yeah I know the reg'ed prices are stupid; it's just for a small sale on here though. It may only be a $1 or so more, but still felt like I was being ripped off.

I've been to the post office twice this week and was charged two different prices on items the exact same size going to the states. Our postal system is strange and is a rip off
The difference between 5mm in size is about $8+... The lady did give me one of those cardboard cutout things they use to see what size the parcel is though

Haha..... I have one of those cardboard cutout things too. Also helps if you have electronic scales

---------- Post added 18-06-2011 at 12:22 AM ----------

Anyone know if I could get away with just shoving on standard postage to the Philippines and shoving it in the post box or do they check this kinda stuff?

I use a good old cooking scales, not the most accurate

I thought they charged the person receiving the package with any extra costs.

It isn't just here that such wild discrepencies in the postal charges occur.
Friend of mine in the States who posts a lot of my cards over for me has noticed it.
He went into post a card to me and they asked for $25, he told them where they could stick that price and sent if for $4.50.

Guys, the postage has been constantly rising but only at $5 cents at a time... they have been doing this over the past few years.

For any large letters (less than 20 mm thick), here are the rates:

<= 50g - $1.55 to SE Asian countries ($2.25 anywhere else in the world).
50g < xxx < 125g - $3.10 to SE Asian countries ($4.50 anywhere else in the world).
125g < xxx < 250g - $4.65 to SE Asian countries ($6.75 anywhere else in the world).

My advice for you is:

- postal workers are extremely anal with postage charges, they will tell you stories like mail not getting delivered if you are caught cheating. They do this because this is their job.
- only use the post office to buy stamps and weigh your items, never do them at the same time because the postal workers will start asking too many questions
- it is best to have a scale at home, you can get one for $10. You can pack your cards to fit within the weight ranges to save good $2 e.g. take out some of the packaging, remove some fillers, make the envelope smaller, or even pack bonus cards in if you're nice.
- your packages will still be delivered most of the time even if it is slightly thicker than 20mm and it weighs more than the postage is paying for. You can only get away with this if you package it at home and stick the stamps on yourselves.

For this particular package that you have, you are about 13 grams above the official allowed weight limit for $1.55 postage. Maybe you can reduce the weight slightly by using a smaller and lighter bubble mailer, use thinner toploaders inside to wedge the cards. Once your packge is only a few grams above 50, just use one stamp because mail can get wet and increase in weight, so there is no way that anyone will come after you.

Thanks for the great advice Brian!