I would like to find out how much it would cost to send a 2 ounce
package FROM the United Kingdom TO the US (Wa state) and have it
insured for the equivalent value of $100 US.

In other words, someone in the UK is sending something back of mine
that is worth around $100.  I would like to make sure it is insured
when she sends it from the UK.  What would the total cost be,
including shipping via British Post?

Also, I have discovered that it costs $20 to have an international
money order made (!) . . . if I send a money order in US dollars,
would the recipient be able to exchange it in the UK? (no, I don't
want to use PayPal)

long time, no see, GA folks!  Life called me to get involved in some
interesting projects, and I've been out of the loop here . . .

cheers!

ts

Hello timespacette-ga

The total cost for a 2oz package from the UK to the USA with a value
of $100 (approximately £60) would be £5.61 according to the UK Post
Office website.

This breaks down as:
  £3.30 for "International Signed For" service
  £1.00 for the extra insurance (up to £500)
  £1.31 for 100g World Zone 1 "Small Packet"

This ensures that the parcel needs a signature at its destination in
the USA for proof of delivery and is insured for a value up to £500. 
Without the extra insurance the package would only be insured for £30.

This can be verified at the UK Post Office website at:
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?catId=400036&mediaId=400347

If you send the money as a money order in US Dollars it is likely that
you are just transferring the cost of converting the money over to the
receipient.  Unfortunately someone will have to pay for the bank to
convert the money into UK pounds sterling and it is unlikely that that
will be the bank!

For instance my bank in the UK charges me both a poor exchange rate
*AND* £10 (approximately $18) to cash a cheque in a foreign currency. 
I recently had a cheque for US$100 paid into my UK bank account and I
only received approximately £40.

In short, the recipient *would* be able to pay it in to their bank
account but it would cost them money to do so (and probably more than
the $20 you are being charged).

If you fully trust the recipient a Western Union Money Transfer may be
your answer, these allow you to send cash to the recipient directly. 
You pay your Western Union office in US Dollars and the recipient
picks the money up at their office in UK Pounds Sterling.

Details of this service can be found at http://www.westernunion.com

You should also be aware that you may be charged import taxes into the
USA.  In the UK these depend upon the declared value of the package
being sent but I am not fully aware of the process in the USA.

If you require any further information on this subject please ask for
clarification and I will do my best to repsond swiftly.

perfect. thank you.

Yea, wondered where you?d gone to timespacette. Recipe for haggis a
couple of days ago :-)

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=471900

Best