Cheapest way to post to Australia

The problem with the cheaper rates (that I am aware of) is that they don’t include insurance or signature at the other end.
If something goes wrong ( say your neighbour “collects” the parcel for you) what happens ?

I have never had the option to sign for a package. It usually doesn’t get left at the house if we are not home and I have to pick it up from the local post office

Shipping a 1 pound package to Australia cost $22.75 (First Class Mail)

https://ircalc.usps.com/?country=10013

USPS First Class International is the least expensive and limited to 4 pounds. There are some less expensive versions, but the items must be flat and under 0.75″—  a letter or short stack of documents. If you look on the USPS web site, the only online option is Priority Mail International and that is where the mind numbing costs come up. To use the First Class option, you need to stand in line at the post office.

Something I’ve offered previously is to transport items in my luggage to New Zealand or Europe when I’m taking a trip there.  When someone isn’t in a hurry for their stuff, I can then put it in domestic Post after I arrive in their country.

Speaking of which, if there are Italians who want some bit of US gear, I’ll be in Italy in June (ugh!  Wrong time.  But that’s when the wedding is.)  And Iceland in July.  Let me know.

Speaking of which, something I don’t know: In Europe, how do in-country postal rates compare to France-Italy or Britain-Germany postal rates? Did the Common Market lower those barriers?  If I’m going to be in Italy, can I help out someone in Scotland, Denmark or Spain?

Anyway, to the OP:  maybe there’s a BPL member heading to OZ in the near future and that could offer a cheaper way to get something across the Pacific.

I was able to send 2 packages to the UK last week via 1st class post and was able to pay and do the customs form online.

You can calculate AND pay for First Class mail and print the label via PayPal (or eBay).  It saves a lot of time and energy.  My 2 cents

Use paypal …..what Jon said ;)

If the weight of package is less than or equal to 8 oz, the International First Class Shipping to Australia is around $13-$14 dollars with limited tracking (delivery confirmation). Just put the 7 oz garment in a tyvek envelope or something that weighs less than an ounce. Once it gets between 8 and 32 ounces, the rate goes up to about $24, so grams matter.

I recently shipped to Ausrailia. went to my paypal and went thru the motions of shipping another and got this photo for you. They offer 2 choices for “package type”  letter and large envelope. I shipped a medium size bubble envelope.

Cheers :-)