posted on October 16, 2000 09:56:54 PM new
If you are a Canadian Seller, who finds you may have to be taking cross-border Post Office runs, to mail those lightweight largew packages that we can no longer afford to mail at home, then this information is for you:
1. You will need the following U.S. Dept. of Treasury, United States Customs Service forms:
For items valued up to $200 U.S. funds, you need Customs Form 7533 (031290), "Inward Cargo Manifest For Vessel Under Five Tons".
Over $200 value, you need Customs Form 7523 (080295), "Entry And Manifest Of Merchandise Free Of Duty, Carrier's Certificate And Release"
These are both easy to fill out, you can photo-copy them for your continuing needs once you get the 1st one -- any U.S. customs office will have a copy of these for you.
2. You will also need a separate form, this one I just typed up myself, no title, but has the following information: (a) Name & Address Of Shipper (that's you), (b) Name & Address of Consignee (the eBay buyer), (c) Description of Article, (d) Value of Article (in U.S. funds), (e) Signature.
3. Complete these documents for each item you are taking across the border to mail, and it is probably helpful to print out an actual copy of the eBay auction listing including the photograph -- I had that all together today for 4 large items I took across, and it worked very smoothly.
4. When you get to the border crossing, tell the customs officer you are taking goods across to mail, say you need to go inside to make your declaration and want to pay the 1 day $5 business fee.
Some border stations have truck or commercial lanes & you might actually have to go through that, especially if you are conducting your eBay sales as a business -- that is where I went today, told them the information above, showed them my documents, paid the 5 bucks, and after going inside was back on the road within 10 minutes.
5. Though Customs won't check very often it seems, they do recommend that the packages not be fully sealed, so that they can be inspected. I had everything boxed up, and addressed, just not sealed completely in case, and took a roll of tape with me.
6. Other tips:
a) Don't lie to them, EVER! That means if the item bid was $300, tell them $300 -- if they ever catch you at a deception, it can mean BIG trouble. I know one guy from this area who was banned from U.S. access for a year just for taking things into the U.S. that he wasn't declaring.
b) Don't carry anything in your vehicle that is business related, other than the packages you are mailing. Unless of course you want to end up explaining what all that other stuff is, why you are carrying it, what do you do in Canada, blah blah blah. In other words, keep it simple.
c) If you are selling on eBay as "business" in any way whatsoever, then pay the $5 one-day fee -- again, it is simply not worth it to get caught in a jam with U.S. customs. You get a receipt anyway, declare it as a legitimate business expense.
Good luck, I'm sure some of you will be making more trips south from now on!
posted on October 16, 2000 10:14:22 PM new
Upriver ..... Thanks for the info. The nearest border crossing is too far of a trek for moi, but I'm sure this information will be appreciated by those that live close to the U.S.
posted on October 16, 2000 10:31:44 PM new
thanks VERY much for the info, its printing now and being sent to my father!
he does a little hopping from time to time
he will appreciate it
posted on October 17, 2000 07:34:12 AM new
If you plan to enter the United States more than 20 times in a year, you are better off applying for a vehicle User Fee Decal. It is a sticker you put on your windshield, cost $100 and is valid for one full year.
