On Jan. 27, 2013 rates are rising, and some are changing names. We are processing most of our USPS mail labels through Endicia and insuring most orders through them with the exception of large, heavy packages that go by FedEx and some packages to areas closer to us that are in larger towns and cities.

If shipping to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Virgin Islands, and other non-mainland locations, use insured Priority, insured Parcel Select or Standard Post (not recommended), and Express Mail rates. FedEx and UPS are very expensive to those locations, and FedEx Ground and standard rates do not apply. If a package is 13 ounces or less, the 1st Class Pkg Service works for Alaska and Hawaii.

If items are heavy there's additional charges automatically added for the extra weight. There's a very small handling charge for shipping materials and other fees. Extra amounts are added to heavier, fragile, or oddly shaped items to defray the extra costs. In all cases we are happy to weigh and adjust rates, especially for locations closer to us that may be less expensive.

Pick-up in person is an option at no charge for people living close by. Basic charges are as follows:

Standard or Lowest Rates; FedEx requiring street address and phone number, First Class Mail for light packages, U.S.P.S. Parcel Post for Others. In Jan. FedEx raised their rates over 5 percent. It is still a good value for large, heavy packages, but for small ones, it is excessively expensive, especially to the East Coast and to rural residential areas, so we do usually use this for packages under 4 pounds. We hold postal rates down somewhat by using Endicia or InsurePost, a division of Shipsurance shipping insurance in the place of postal insurance on all but Express Mail. The rates below will be adjusted when rate hikes are certain. Standard Shipping (Insured 1st Class Mail if 13 ounces or less; 1-2 pound packages that are small USPS Priority; USPS Parcel Post or FedEx Ground for Large Heavy Packages)- Extra amounts added for very large heavy packages

$0.01-$12.00 - $6.75 (1st Class Mail may be lowered)

$12.01-$25.00 - $7.95

$25.01-$50.00 - $11.00

$50.01-$100.00 - $12.50

$100.01-$150.00 - $14.00

$150.01-$200.00 - $16.00

$200.01-$300.00 - $18.00

$300.01-$400.00 - $19.50

$400.01-$500.00 - $22.25

$500.01-$600.00 - $24.75

$600.01-$700.00 - $$26.75

$700.01-$800.00 - $27.50

Add an extra $2.50 for each additional $100.00

Insured Priority Mail -

$0.01-$25.00 - $7.95

$25.01-$50.00 - $12.25

$50.01-$100.00 - $14.00

$100.01-$150.00 - $17.00

$150.01-$200.00 - $20.00

$200.01-$300.00 - $27.00

$300.01-$400.00 - $32.00

$400.01-$500.00 - $36.00

$500.01-$600.00 - $40.00

$600.01-$700.00 - $45.00

$700.01-$800.00 - $50.00

Add an extra $5.00 for each additional $100.00

We will add other rates here, but meanwhile they will show up in the order form. This is provided for a general idea.

International shipping is higher and varies with country and shipping method. Please contact us with your name, address, and an email address so we can figure shipping before an item is paid for. We do ship to Canada, Europe, Japan and much of Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, but we do not ship to many countries outside of these. Our usual method of international shipping is Express Mail International, Priority Mail International, and for light items or thin flat items U.S.P.S. 1st Class Mail Pkg Service is the steepest rate increase of all, but still less expensive than other means of shipping to other countries if a package is 4 pounds or less (and especially effective for shipping to Canada). We are able to insure these through Endicia or InsurePost Insurance to areas that it insures. We will also ship to Canada by UPS Canada Standard or FedEx Ground, but we are reluctant to because we have heard of customers having to pay additional broker fees. We cannot ship large oversize packages such as the largest Annette Himstedt dolls to Australia and many other countries through the postal services. UPS and FedEx will go to those countries but it costs over $300.00 to ship giant packages that way.

OUR SHIPPING POLICY: Most items will be shipped by Best_Way-Standard. We may elect to ship by some other carrier and will notify you if that is the case; this is motivated by practical considerations like higher FedEx Ground costs to rural areas and packages that are too small. Packages going to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Other distant locations need to go Priority Mail or if the package is under 13 ounces by 1st Class Parcel Service. All orders shipped to addresses outside the U.S. will be shipped by insured Express Mail International or insured Priority Mail International, and in cases of items weighing under 4 pounds that are small by the USPS Package Service with Endicia or InsurePost of ShipSaver's insurance. International shipping varies according to country, value, weight, and shipping method. The least expensive shipping still does not have tracking numbers beyond customs forms, though the USPS will be phasing in a system of tracking Priority International packages going to Canada, and will later phrase in other packages to other countries. It has been reported that some European countries are tacking on excessive fees and taxes to anything shipped Express Mail International (known examples are Spain and France). Please be aware of this before placing orders, as we have no way of knowing or collecting these ahead and you are responsible for them. You are responsible for shipping costs both ways if anything is refused and returned, but the remaining balance will be refunded less a 15 percent stocking charge if the article is undamaged. PayPal does not allow refunds beyond 60 days, so items need to be back by then. Credit card companies have similar limits and charge fees on returns. You will incure these costs.

We ship to Japan, Hong Kong, China, Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, most countries in Europe, Canada, and most of the Americas. Currently we cannot ship to Africa, some countries in the Middle East, some areas in Eastern Europe, Russia, Mexico, some of the South American countries, and some of the Asian countries. This is related to where our insurers will insure. In some countries like Russia and Mexico, insurance is only good until something touches the ground or gets there and not to the door.

Shipping can be combined to lower overall costs for multiple items. Inquire for rates if needed, though order form totals them. Many items are impractical combine if it makes a huge oversized packages because balloon rates can be more than 2 separate packages.