How does ordering a FamilyTreeDNA test from outside the US work?

Question

Hi, apologies if this question has already been answered elsewhere, but I've struggled to find a definitive, easy to understand answer to this question elsewhere - different places on various forums seem to say different things.

I'm interested in taking a Y DNA test from FamilyTreeDNA, but I live in the UK. I'm interested if anyone knows (eg. from personal experience or otherwise) how it works in terms of both placing the order, and sending back the DNA sample.

The reason I ask is because for Ancestry DNA, for example, the website has a localised UK version, where the kit prices are quoted in GBP (£) and when you order an autosomal kit, it comes with a postage pre-paid box to send it back to Ancestry in. You literally just put the completed sample in the post and that's it.

I'm curious how it would work ordering from FamilyTreeDNA. I imagine the dollar prices are automatically converted into £ when you actually pay for the order, but how does sending back the sample work? I have heard the postage is not pre-paid outside the US? So what is the alternative - you grab a jiffy bag/small box to put it in, fill in the return address and pay the postage yourself?

Answer 1

I did exactly that at the beginning of 2018 - I am in the UK and I ordered a Y-DNA test from FTDNA.

Looking at the order confirmation, the one I bought was described as "Y-DNA67, International Shipping". They charged my credit card in US Dollars which the credit card company converted to GBP, so the credit card company also charged me a non-sterling transaction fee. How much extra you have to pay probably depends on which card you use from which company.

I can't remember the precise details about sending it back as it was almost 4 years ago. However I seem to remember I had to take it to the post office and fill out a customs declaration. Not sure if I had to pay the postage, but I probably did. It was certainly a bit more hassle than sending back my Ancestry sample, but nothing too bad.

Things may have changed since I did it, but even though I haven't actually gained any useful information from doing the test there was nothing in the process itself that I thought made it not worth doing.

Answer 2

No problems in ordering and returning from Denmark. You just order and pay with your credit card. Be aware that the credit card should be valid in North America. You will be charged in your own currency. After 1 to 2 weeks you will receive the kit with a brown return envelope.

After taking the sample you just return it in the envelope. In Denmark the postage and tax declaration are now online. I put the value of a used DNA sample to 0 $. You just pay the postage and then print it with the tax declaration to be pasted on the return envelope. Although the brown envelope says Affix Package Postage it works with Letter Postage.

Previously I just put a stamp with the correct postage for the USA on the envelope and it has worked so far with 8 kits.

Answer 3

Very easy to do. You get an addressed Jiffy bag along with your test kit. Just pop it in the bag and seal it. If you are in the UK just take it to your local post office and send it by letter post - last time I sent one it was £3.45. Have sent about 100 that way and it has worked every time.