Royal Mail OBA-type service for shipping to USA needed

[blueboy]

I've been running an ecommerce business for a while now which now sells exclusively on amazon using FBA. We've had an unexpected burst of sales in the USA and it'll take 1-2 weeks to get more stock available for sale. In the meantime i'm thinking of shipping from the UK using merchant fulfilled shipping. Royal Mail OBA would be perfect since our items are around 20g & £5 in value, however that'll take too long to setup and get the kit delivered. Sending using stamps/franking would be too expensive.

So is there a similar service out there which doesn't take too long to setup, or perhaps someone out there is willing to let us send using their royal mail account? We're based in SE London, am happy to chat over the phone and go from there.

 

[Mike Godwin]

Hi. Have a chat with Alan Walters at VA Distribution on 0345 340 5585 who has this in place and may be able to help you..Good luck.

 

[blueboy]

Thanks, i spoke to him and it seems like they're more geared up for a pick&pack service which is going to work out too expensive, i'm looking for someone who can accept items already packed and ready to handover to royal mail.

 

[Mr D]

OBA setup? Less than a week last year.
Delivery was a couple of days.

 

[blueboy]

yes i'm looking into that option too as we have an old account that is now deactivated, but it takes 1-2 weeks for them to send out the tags etc? Anyone willing to send me a few of the correct tags for the bag ties to use for sending to the usa? 'INTL BUS MAIL MIXED ZERO SORT PRIORITY ' is what we used to use, don't know if things have changed in the last few years...

 

[KevinRockett]

I can help with this.

If you would like to PM me I will let you know about a US shipping solution that you can start using next day and rates for 50g to USA fully tracked to your US customers in 4-5 business days would be around £4 per parcel to start with and less than £4 with volume.

 

[blueboy]

I went with VA Distribution in the end and Alan's been great so far, thanks for the tip!

 

[KevinRockett]

That's good to hear I am pleased you are sorted.

Obviously what I was suggesting was a USA-only TRACKED-only service from a shipping specialist who only sends to USA whereas VA are a fulfilment Company who offer untracked mail to all regions, which is quite different of course.