How to ship to Canada?

Buccaneer

I just sold my first card to a Canada customer. I've heard that shipping a package (<1 lbs) to there is not much more than domestic but usps shows pretty high rates. How do you ship cards to Canada?

baseballfanatic

Never had a problem with the good ol' USPS, though the rates are a bit more. Just look it up on the USPS web page and charge the buyer accordingly.....

Onlypsahockey

Pack it up and fill out the customs form. Value under $10.00 they won't have to pay. Drop it at P.O. airmail.

Never had a problem. Usually mark customs form "sport photo"

MooseDog

Use USPS unless the package has a high value. The couriers like UPS, FedEx, etc aren't worth it unless you need to insure the package. Then you get into the whole customs thing too. Most Canadian customers want you to undervalue for customs purposes, otherwise they have to pay extra duty taxes. However if you or they want insurance, then this is a lot harder to do obviously.

You don't need a customs form if the package is under 1 lb.

Ship by AirMail.

Also, your Canadian customer may already know this but Canada Post can be awfully slow to deliver sometimes.

pandrews

<< <i>How do you ship cards to Canada? >>



i wont.

Boopotts

A well packaged psa slab in a bubble mailer costs around $1 so long as you send it air mail.

Boopotts

<< <i>Use USPS unless the package has a high value. The couriers like UPS, FedEx, etc aren't worth it unless you need to insure the package. Then you get into the whole customs thing too. Most Canadian customers want you to undervalue for customs purposes, otherwise they have to pay extra duty taxes. However if you or they want insurance, then this is a lot harder to do obviously.

You don't need a customs form if the package is under 1 lb.

Ship by AirMail.

Also, your Canadian customer may already know this but Canada Post can be awfully slow to deliver sometimes. >>




I don't know-- I've had to fill out customs forms for every package I've sent north, and most of those have only been one psa card in a bubble mailer.

yawie99

Yeah, I fill 'em out all the time and sometimes even have to request that the clerk affix them to my package. For some reason, I had a package (well under a pound) get returned to me by customs about a year and a half ago because it didn't have the green slip. I figure why take chances.

Anyway, standard air mail to Canada is just marginally more than shipping domestically. Global Priority is another good option. If you use the envelopes the USPS provides, you can wrap a slab in bubble wrap and cardboard, slip it in the Global Priority envelope and ship it for $4. For slightly bulkier shipments, the charge is about $6.

schr1st

Step one: hire a Sherpa...

Buccaneer

How long would it take for the package to get there via AirMail?

Knuckles

It helps us out a lot if you check the box that says 'gift' this way Customs won't charge X amount of dollars when delivered.

Never ship anything to Canada via UPS.


- Garret

robstar

In almost 5 years buying on Ebay, I have never had a problem with items shipped from the USA. I did learn early on however to avoid Fed-Ex, UPS and the like for obvious reasons. Also I think that we sometimes blame the regular postal service a little too harshly. I have received cards from both California and Florida sellers in 3-4 days after sending PayPal payment, I am in Toronto. On the other hand, I have received cards from Ohio, Michigan and Upstate New York that have taken up to 3 weeks to arrive after sending PayPal payment. In all cases, regular USPS service was used.
If sending a more valuable card, send it registered with sig required with a value of $20 and you should be fine.

Have a great day...

Rob.. ( From the GREAT WHITE NORTH )

JrMacdaddy

<< <i>You don't need a customs form if the package is under 1 lb >>



I've heard from multiple USPS employees it doesn't matter if its under a pound. You'll need fill this out. I usually check gift and write down collectible. I've never had a problem.

MooseDog

This is kind of a dumb topic to get into a debate over, but the clerks are just covering their butts, a lot of them don't know the regulations, that's why the USPS installed that snazzy new computer system that tells the clerk what form(s) are needed. I ship 2-5 cards to Canada every week. The clerks at my regular PO are top notch and know what they speak of. While it never HURTS to include the customs form, it's not necessary if the package is under 1lb and goes airmail.

From the USPS web site:

"A customs form is not required on the following categories of mail:
- Non-dutiable letter-post items that weigh less than 16 ounces. "

A slabbed card in a bubble mailer sent Airmail Letter Post does not REQUIRE a form.

MooseDog

Normal shipping time seems to be about a week, sometimes faster, sometimes slower, but every now and then one will take 2-3 weeks.

GoblinOutpost

Let me chime in since I am from Canada.

I would avoid putting the word 'collectible' on the declaration form. The word gives a connotation of VALUABLE and it will likely raises people's eyebrow. Putting 'trading cards' would actually be more accurate and less attention grabbing.

Also, for the 1 lb rule about airmail that some of you have mentioned. My question is what items qualify as "Non-dutiable letter-post items". This really begs the question about what is taxable or not. In Customs eyes, I'm sure 'collectible', 'HOF sports card', and 'trading cards' might land the same item into different taxation categories.

-- Joe

JrMacdaddy

<< <i>While it never HURTS to include the customs form, it's not necessary if the package is under 1lb and goes airmail. >>



In order to avoid any potential problems I'll stick with the form.

ctsoxfan

<< <i>This is kind of a dumb topic to get into a debate over, but the clerks are just covering their butts, a lot of them don't know the regulations, that's why the USPS installed that snazzy new computer system that tells the clerk what form(s) are needed. I ship 2-5 cards to Canada every week. The clerks at my regular PO are top notch and know what they speak of. While it never HURTS to include the customs form, it's not necessary if the package is under 1lb and goes airmail.

From the USPS web site:

"A customs form is not required on the following categories of mail:
- Non-dutiable letter-post items that weigh less than 16 ounces. "

A slabbed card in a bubble mailer sent Airmail Letter Post does not REQUIRE a form. >>



I have never been able to get around using the form at my local PO, even for simple airmail one card shipments. The clerks won't accept the package without one, so I have always had to use them. Not a big deal, and probably worth doing to avoid problems.

I also like the idea of using "sport photo" on the description line - it's better than anything that implies a card is in there...

pandrews

From what I understand, paypal offers NO protection for the seller, but will refund a Canadians money if they claim they didn't receive a package.

rbdjr1

I write on the form,

description: "printed picture in a plastic holder"

value: "$10USD"

I've NEVER had a single delivery problem!

rbd



edit: ...as I shipped "many a slab" to O' Canada!

I agree, I've taken a chance with some "higher end" material to and from Canada (i.e., no insurance!), but still batting 1000%! (...or maybe, I've just been plain olde' lucky? LOL!)... I did worry a few times, both as "the buyer" and as "the seller", but after some "sweat and worry", all did work out ok for me! Also, I think I shipped "USPS Registered Mail" a couple of times to Canada, and even was able to get insurance to certain locations in Canada (...I'm not sure where, as it was a few years ago!)

Buccaneer

Thanks for all your help. It ended up being far easier and cheaper than I anticipated. As long as the package is under 4 lbs, then the standard green form applies. I used my own envelope to package 2 slabs in cardboard and with AirMail (4-6 days delivery time), it came to $1.60. On the form, I wrote "sports photos" and declared it to be $0 (the cards were $15-20 ones, no big deal). I just want it to get there in a decent time frame at low cost. Now I am confident about doing more of this in the future.

rbdjr1

<< <i>"A customs form is not required on the following categories of mail:
- Non-dutiable letter-post items that weigh less than 16 ounces. "

A slabbed card in a bubble mailer sent Airmail Letter Post does not REQUIRE a form. >>



Canada is the "fifty-first state"

Just remember, a "bubble mailer" is a packet (even though it is "small envelope-sized"! ) and is not really a letter. Plus "post 9/11" and all, I've been asked numereous times, by a postal clerk, "anything hazardous, liquid, fragile or perishable inside" (...that bubble mailer, err, letter!)?

No Postal Clerk ever asked me that "boilerplated terrorist package safety question" for just a "plain olde letter"! Who know's? Maybe its me and I just look dangerous to a postal clerk?

I've always "aired on the side of caution" and use that little customs form for Canada, just in case, as I do not want my "bubble mailer (i.e., err, I mean a letter!) to be messed with by anyone except my buyer!

rbd

phreakydancin

<< <i>Canada is the "fifty-first state" >>

Actually, we think of the US as the "eleventh province"

NewJerseyMeatHook

Throw the item in a ratty old puck bag with that prime locker room aroma . . . there will be no questions asked.