I've recently sent 2 packages to Canada - one Priority Mail insured and one just priority mail. In the US Priority mail arrives in about 3 days.
One of the 2 packages arrived in about 2 weeks with a customs bill for about 20% of the insured value. The uninsured packet has been out there for 2 weeks and hadn't arrived as of yesterday. The tracking number said it left Chicago 6 days after I sent it from Virginia.
What is the best way to ship packets from the US to Canada?
I am in Canada.
I have had hundreds of parcels delivered to my door from the USA and never has 1 been lost.PERIOD.
The bottom line is the postal system works amazingly well.
I guess that does not answer your question but I had to let you know.
Jon
I like this method....which, I think, is the equivalent of Canada Post's "Express Post".....and because it's a rush service, often it gets through Customs unmolested, even with the correct export valuation.
I hate to get things by Fedex or UPS because they charge huge brokerage fees and the extra time spent being cleared reduces any time savings....
For run-of-the-mill stuff, I just use standard air mail. When I get into the $200-400 ballpark, I'll go with Global Priority. Beyond that, I use registered mail. The insurance limit is very low (something bizarre like $44.86) but the security it offers is great. If I'm shipping something valuable and not easily replaced, I'll gladly take the security of registered mail over speed.
I don't like the fact that the insurance limit is so low, but registered mail has been pretty foolproof for me. Plus the one time I did ship something via Global Express so that I could insure it for its full value, I had to declare that value on the customs slip and the buyer got hit with a steep tax.
As far as the time element, Mark, I think it's almost random when it comes to shipping to Canada. I've had registered packages take anywhere from 10 days to more than 3 weeks. Global Priority has probably been the most consistent in terms of speedy arrivals and I've never had a problem with anything disappearing. But again, for parcels with Rosses or Vezinas inside, I'd rather have them travel under lock and key, even if the trek takes extra time.
I received your package on Thursday. I found out what the do at Canadian custions is convert the insurance value to US dollars @ 1.18, then add 14% GST/PST (Ontario), then a $5.00 handling charge. If you do not insure, it's a crap shoot if they charge you anything. Bubble mailers get through about 98% of the time. I was told do not use the men in brown (UPS), they do their own customs broker and you pay big time. It takes longer because customs has to process the package.
I have put in a claim and should get 75% back, if not all of the custom charges, minus the $5 service charge.
I had a book order from Duke University shipped and the custom fees were almost the same as the book amount because UPS charges a huge handling fee.
Ron - If the amount on the package is the actual value how are you going to get custom fees back? I have had them open packages and charge me "full book value" for cards that had no declared value.
Personally, I will use regular air mail for less valuable cards. If it's over $200 I will usually send the package Global Priority. I have only had one experience where I was mailing a card to Canada that was worth over $1000. I sent it Registered Mail and insured it for the full amount. It arrived safely and everyone was happy.
The main problem with shipping to Canada is the PayPal issue. Everyone loves to use PayPal because it is so quick. Once you accept PayPal, you may just use the lower priced air mail which doesn't offer insurance. If the buyer files a claim then you are out the full cost of the cards. If you insure the cards you send, then the value is listed on the customs form and the buyer gets charged duty.
I still don't know how to send a package to Canada that will keep me, the buyer, and PayPal all happy! I once thought that UPS would solve my problems because I was sending a $500 card to Canada. I was a little leary of the buyer since he seemed a little shady in his emails and I was worried that he might try to file a claim after getting the card. I sent the card through UPS with tracking and insurance. I knew that I was covered if PayPal had any questions. The card arrived quickly, but he ended up having to pay a large fee at the border!
Well the best way to ship to Canada from the US is to use either UPS, FedEx or USPS Global Priority. This way you get a tracking number and/or delivery confirmation.
THE BIG ISSUE is insurance and customs/duties charges. THE ONLY WAY AROUND THIS IT TO DECLARE A LOW VALUE ON THE PACKAGE.
If the buyer or seller insist to have insurance there is NO WAY around the receiver paying customs/duties. I repeat - THERE IS NO WAY AROUND THIS.
If the package/item is insured for a high amount customs will 100% be added at the border because you are IMPORTING a high value item. In Canada and the US if you import items customs has a RIGHT to charge duties/taxes/charges etc.
The only way to avoid extra charges is to have a low value declared on the pacage. Personally, I think if a tracking number is used and you can confirm that the package was delived then it is all cool. PayPal will also have proof as you can show the package was delivered. The buyer MUST be aware that if damage or loss occurs without insurance then it is too bad for him.
You can't have your cake and eat it too! Either a low value is used without insurance or the FULL value is declared and they pay taxes. It is that simple.
Thanks,
Paul
This message has been edited by shiftintermedia on Mar 31, 2007 7:07 PM
I filled out a form that stated the goods I received trough a trade and no cash was exchanged, so I should not pay any duty. I then stated if you consider trading, value that should be taxed, you should charge me the book value of the cards (PSA Graded) and gave them a BV of $120, when the insurance was list at $350. I told them the shipper over insured. For the cost of a stamp I'll try it and let you guys know how I make out.
Do not send UPS. I heard they are in court fighting a lawsuit , because they overcharge on the handling fees.
I agree with what you are saying, but PayPal will disagree and they are the ones taking money out of your account. If you ship a package and list the dollar amount as $20 to save the buyer fees, and the package is list, the buyer can file a claim and PayPal will refund the full amount. I hear this time and time again--PayPal takes the side of the buyer.
In regards to the tracking number with Global Priority, it only works on your side of the border--the Shipper. Once it crosses into the other country, there isn't any more tracking. At least that's what I was told when I tried to track a package that was lost.
Just a thought. Declaring a false value on a customs package is a criminal offence. Not a recommended course of action. If the Canada Border Services opens the package and finds the different value, the package is subject to seizure and civil penalties as well.
Max
(formerly lawyer for Revenue Canada and now acting for people in tax and customs difficulty)
Max, how can customs determine the value on a item if they open the package, and feel the value should be higher. There is a lot of no reserve actions on graded and ungraded cards, and I'am sure that we all have seen certain cards sell for much less than they are worth at some point in time. If they use the hockey pricing quides for their pricing, then I quess it is up to the buyer and or seller to prove the item sold for the declared amount because the guides are just that "a general price guide ". If it sold higher than the amount declared but less than the value the custom broker assigns for the item, do they still cease the property for false claims? Is there a recourse other than court?
Its possible and it has happened to me. I baught a team signed jersey off eBay, Customs opened it and claimed the value was like $800 when I didn't even pay half that! They then charged me a huge fee, I had to pay the fee but then they gave me a form. I just printed off the eBay page that showed what I paid for it and they refunded all my money.
That is correct. Customs places the onus on the purchaser to prove what they paid for the item. If the package is opened has no value or a low value on it and they deem this to be possibly false they will stick what they feel it may be worth via priceguides etal and you must prove otherwise via an invoice or purchase page off eBay or item # off ebay.
Also I have gone into great dicussion with Canada Post on insurance for sportscards (In which they are not suppose to insure according to my discussions) and they don't pay squat for sportscard claims. They will take your money (this being the teller and point of shipping) for the insurance but basically told me that if I was to put in a claim they will only pay what the card was worth new. Thus 5 cents for that Gordie Howe RC you pulled out of the pack 50 years ago?
I have never had to place a claim but this is what I was told? Has anyone else experienced a claim from the Canadian end and received insurance for a lost package containing sportscards?
With regards to the US to Canada shipping and customs I always ask the seller to send it in regular bubblewrap with customs form marked as "picture cards" and NOT "sportscards". This way you are not technically lying and the package does not attract unwanted attention from customs or shady posties. I thus assume risk at my end. If package is worth big $$ then I pay for the insurance and duties. This is always factored into my bids.
