posted on May 30, 2002 02:26:51 AM new
I would like to start shipping to Canada (I currently only ship within the US), but I really do not know what the best option is. I want to be able to insure the safety of the package, but I don't want it to be too costly for the Canadian buyer. What is working best for you sellers out there who ship to Canada? Thanks.
posted on May 30, 2002 04:44:15 AM new
I have shipped several items to Canada with no problems. My local PO clerks are great about advising me of the fees. You can also find the approximate shipping charges to any country at usps.com. I place a note in my ads that bidders outside of the US should contact me for s&h fees before bidding. My old stuff has gone all over the world!!
posted on May 30, 2002 06:08:38 AM new
I use FedEx ground for Canada they have been very helpful on this and as yet have not had a problem with del address
posted on May 30, 2002 06:56:15 AM new
In fact, actual shipping costs to Canada are very similar to those for mailing to another address in the USA. The only time you should get a complaint from a Canadian is if your TOS states something like "$3.95 for USPS to USA ... others at actual", then you tell your Canadian winner that it will cost $6.95 to mail. That is a rip and does tend to upset us, especially when the postage stamp is for something like $2.50.
posted on May 30, 2002 06:40:07 PM new
Canada is actually pretty affordable for shipping. For example, a 6 ounce package right now costs $1.49 in the US, it would be $1.85 to Canada. Up to a pound, it is 60 cents for the first ounce, and 25 cents for additional (US is 34 for the first, 23 each additional. A one pound package is well under $5, and that is $3.50 to $3.95 priority in the US.
A couple of things to remember: You can NOT insure a package to Canada unless it is over a pound. I don't know why, but you can't. There are other options that get very expensive, like registered mail. If you ship global priority I think that has a signature, but starts at $5 or so. Also, you want to stay away from UPS because they charge unreasonable broker rates, or whatever they call them to Canadians. I've shipped well over 100 packages to Canada and I have always used USPS without any problems at all.
posted on May 30, 2002 06:42:20 PM new
FORGET USING UPS,,,,,,,,,,,AS FAR AS CANADA IS CONCERNED THEY ARE JUST AN INDIVDUAL (AS IN NO CLOUT) NOTHING SPECIAL. FORMS AND FORMS AND FORMS AND FORMS AND,,,,,,,,,,,,,USE THE POST OFFICE. DEVALUE ALL YOU WANT. BUT WITH UPS,,YA NOW GOTTA SHOW ACTUAL SALES RECEIPT,,LIKE THE EBAY PAGE,,HOW DO I KNOW? JUST HAPPENED YESTERDAY. YUP. THE POST OFFICE IS GOVERNMENT,,,,,,,,,YA KNOW HOW THAT GOES,,,,,,,,,,BOTH B.S.ING EACH OTHER. CLAIM WHATEVER VALUE YOU, YOUR CUSTOMER WANTS. WON'T HAPPEN WITH UPS THOUGH. .2CENTS.
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on May 30, 2002 06:44 PM ]
posted on May 30, 2002 09:09:53 PM new
RB does not give a good example. If you are shipping envelopes, then the price is fairly close to USA shipping.
But if you are shipping boxes, the costs are much higher and Canadian Buyer do not understand this. I do ship to Canada, but make sure that they understand the costs up front. Also, Canada has that Duty tax or shipping tax, (what ever term you like to use) that tends to upset many of those bidders. They often want you to lie on the customs forms to save them money. NEVER LIE ON ANY FORMS TO SHIP ITEMS TO CANADA. If they bid, they can pay all taxes due. It is not worth getting in trouble with our government, or at least risk it.
posted on May 30, 2002 09:38:40 PM new
Notes from a Canadian
Prefered shipping is USPS as all other methods have high fees attached.
USPS gets in free to Canadians for items under $20.cdn (about $13.us) Items over $20 ate taxed and the PO charges a $5.00 (Cdn) fee to process.
Others eg UPS have a $25.00 fee and charge taxes from the first dollar and also charge to advance the taxes. They then tax us on the fees as well.
There is a 'letter post rate' to Canada that is wery good but maxes out at 4 lbs (air and ground). This cannot be insured, however in some 500 shipments nothing has ever been lost.
Many Canadians will have US$ accounts in their Cdn bank and generally are paid via a US bank. Mine is the Royal bank and it is paid via the Chasse Manhattan Bank. No fees are associated with this arrangement as it is virtually "US$ from a USA bank"
Never take a 'plain' Cdn check marked by hand' pay in US funds'. It will pass but will have foreign collection fees.
All Canadian banks will issue MO's in US$ and are easy and free to cash. (at a Bank)
Cdn PO issues US$ MO's that are free to cash at USPS outlets (by int'l postal agreements)
posted on May 30, 2002 11:39:01 PM new
Thank you all so much for the information. I primarily ship boxes that weigh up to 3lbs. I hate to have to use EMS because it is so expensive. What is the *safest* method for shipping packages of this weight?
