Delays and problems with USPS First Class International Mail

[Shop12345]

My products are small relatively inexpensive, so currently I offer First Class mail as the only shipping option. Priority Mail, UPS, DHL etc would cost more than the product itself.

Right now I am using Stamps.com to purchase intl postage because it is less expensive than buying through Shopfiy, and the labels print out in a format to match my Zebra printer. I don't have an IOSS number, and just include a basic description of the item, cost and country of manufacture (China) in the customs form on Stamps. I believe that this is OK since the customer would be paying duties for it.

I've been having very long delays with the shipments, and am constantly getting emails from customers asking where their package is. Usually the delay occurs for weeks after it leaves the US.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a different low-cost shipping option or service to use?

Or would buying First Class mail through a different service have better results than Stamps? For example if Shopify, ShipStation, etc would have a better method of processing international shipments?

For now, I have added notes regarding the delays to my Shopfiy site in a few places so that customers should have a better idea of what to expect.

[TeemuEAS]

Hi Shop12345! 

We always recommend having postal delivery as the option 1 for low value consignments. The reason why your deliveries are taking a long time is certainly the fact that you are not using IOSS. Full customs process for goods below 150€ makes absolutely no sense, since there are no duties for them. It slows the delivery and incurs often disproportionate costs from the customs agent resulting in increase in returns. Not good business. 

We offer the most comprehensive, cost-efficient IOSS solution: https://apps.shopify.com/eas-eu-compliance

You will also need to register with us at www.easproject.com/reg, and we will take it from there. 

We will provide assistance also with logistics, most important operator instructions are available in our help centre. Once you have the postal solution in place, expand to express and leave the choice to your customer. 

In short, IOSS is the way to improve your business. We make it easy. 

[Shop12345]

Thank you for this info! Do I need to have HS codes for this solution?