Jr. Deluxe Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 I have an auction that specifies shipping to lower 48 usa but i was contacted through ebay to ask if i would ship to a verified address in QC. The item is small and UPSable. I am inclined to help my Canadian brother out (and make a sale). Has anybody been screwed over in this situation? Any customs issues? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Wright Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 I have found that couriers shipping from the States to Canada will put everything through customs in order to act as broker and charge their brokerage fee, which is higher than USPS/Canada Post. Postal items are not always flagged for customs and the Canada Post fee is $5.00 or so plus duty. When I e-bay items from the States I avoid vendors that will not use the USPS. Depending on the cost of the item, it may be quite a shock to the customer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conundrum Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 I agree, except the Canada Post brokerage fee is about $8. Still *way* cheaper than courier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jr. Deluxe Posted September 6, 2013 Author Share Posted September 6, 2013 How about UPS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conundrum Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 UPS standard is pretty bad for cross border fees. The higher tiers have those fees included, but then the shipping price inflates. As a buyer I would generally prefer USPS 1rst class, or Priority if it is of higher value/size. But I can understand why some sellers don't want to use USPS 1rst class, since it doesn't have any real tracking once it crosses the border. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mullins Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 UPS standard is pretty bad for cross border fees. The higher tiers have those fees included, but then the shipping price inflates. As a buyer I would generally prefer USPS 1rst class, or Priority if it is of higher value/size. But I can understand why some sellers don't want to use USPS 1rst class, since it doesn't have any real tracking once it crosses the border. I naively used USPS for sending something to Canada. It was stuck in customs for a couple weeks, and with no tracking on that side of the border, it made both me and the buyer nervous. All ended well, but it was needless worry. Nord Stage 3 88, Korg Kronos 2 61, Moog Sub 37, Yamaha U1 Upright, Casio CT-S500, Spacestation V.3, QSC K10.2 www.stickmanor.com There's a thin white line between fear and fury - Stickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesG Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 I regularly use USPS and FedEx (express and ground) for cross-border packages. USPS packages generally arrive via Purolator. FedEx packages are easy to track and they have decent customs brokerage. UPS tends to screw you if you ship the cheapest way. The delivery driver shows up with his hand out for about $25 more than I think is reasonable. All couriers are supposed to collect taxes and duties, so have a credit card on hand, but stuff going USPS is very often missed. There won't be duty on most of the stuff that would arrive cross-border due to NAFTA, but you will still have to cough up either GST or HST depending on what province you live in. For the shipper -- the only thing you really need to remember is that the receiver is responsible for these fees! (and that UPS is really the worst option IME) Hammond: L111, M100, M3, BC, CV, Franken CV, A100, D152, C3, B3 Leslie: 710, 760, 51C, 147, 145, 122, 22H, 31H Yamaha: CP4, DGX-620, DX7II-FD-E!, PF85, DX9 Roland: VR-09, RD-800 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Force Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 I hate to say this, but I am finding UPS a less-desirable shipper for many reasons, not just customs-related. Steve Force, Durham, North Carolina -------- My Professional Websites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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