posted on August 13, 2002 06:16:36 AM new
I never had an auction winner outside of the US. I take checks & money orders. What do I have to ask for to make sure I get paid in American dollars? Thanks!
posted on August 13, 2002 06:42:35 AM new
Canadian postal money order is a GREAT idea! Remember if you try to cash it at your bank they may charge you a fee. Cash it only as the post office.
Due to the changes in postal rates. Take the package to the post office to find out exact charges to ship to your bidder in Canada.
posted on August 13, 2002 07:09:34 AM new
Paloma, why would you make the extra trip to the PO? I ship to Canada, and no changes have been made on shipping outside the USA. If you weigh your package and calculate on the International section of the USPS site, there should be no problems. The USPS site, even gives the restrictions of shipping. What is needed is a customs form filled out, honestly with the contents and marked as merchandise.
posted on August 13, 2002 07:14:44 AM new
Being a Canadian buyer, I suggest that first-time US sellers shipping to Canada do not use the USPS website for calculating and quoting shipping costs. There have been many occasions where a US seller has quoted me a shipping cost based on the info on this site, and when I have challenged it, they have found out that the actual costs are considerably lower.
posted on August 13, 2002 07:23:29 AM new
For what it's worth... I just have 3 comments about shiping to Canada.
First, getting paid in US funds is fine, but most banks I deal with charge a fee of at least $5 to "collect the funds". I ask that buyers use PayPal or go with the postal money order and I cash it at the post office.
Second, shipping cost. I use the USPS website to calculate shipping cost and with Canadian shipments I don't think I've ever been right. Don't know why, but it's really frustrating because my calculation always comes out to considerably more than the actual cost. I just take it to the post office and let them tell me the cost before I quote it to the buyer. Of course, the post office is pretty convenient for me so it's not a big deal.
Third, Canadian customs and taxes. The recipient should know about this, but I hate those inevtiable emails from Canadian buyers complaining about the customs charges and taxes imposed by their own government. I tell them right up front (in my TOS) that those costs are out of my control and the buyer's responsibility - even though some of them already know before they bid.
OK, that's my 3 cents worth. I find most Canadian buyers to be pleasant and responsible ebayers .
posted on August 13, 2002 07:39:10 AM new
I have had no problems with the canadian buyers. The ones that I have had have PayPal. I have never been asked to lie on the customs form and the postage not much more than a US package. In fact I have never had problems with any international sale. Once you have a buyer from outside the states you will find out how easy the transaction is. I used the USPS calculations for mine and I found out they are quite a bit higher than the actual shipping costs. The package that the USPS said would ship for $6.00 was actually $3.75.
posted on August 13, 2002 08:24:11 AM new
Firstly, it's great US sellers like you folks who make eBay truly international ... thanks from a Canadian
On the taxes issue, I agree that it is not a good thing, but until or unless it changes, we Canadians just have to figure in these extra costs when placing a bid. Here's a couple of tips for US sellers mailing stuff into Canada:
1. Never lie on a Customs Declaration Form! If you tick off "Gift", that simply acts a tip off to Customs that you might be trying to "sneak" something through. Your package will more than likely be opened which results in a delay to the buyer. The buyer will cry wolf, blame you, blame the post office for long deliveries yada yada yada.
2. We pay taxes on the amount shown on the Customs Form after it has been converted to Canadian dollars (one US buck = approximately 1.5 Canadian bucks). We all have to pay 7% to the Feds and most of us (Alberta, the rich province, excluded) another 7 to 10% to the province. Added to that, is a $5.00 "Graft Collection Fee" levied by the post office. So, please don't indicate a higher value on the Customs Form than the buyer actually paid. Some sellers might think that the item is worth more than they got for it, and indicate what they think the value is. Other sellers may purposely overvalue the item just in case it gets lost - they can collect more insurance. If the item went for a really good price (to the buyer), include a copy of the ended eBay listing with the final selling price highlighted or circled.
3. Never include the shipping and handling costs in the value you declare on the Customs Form. It's bad enough that we have to pay taxes on the cost of the item - we don't want to have to pay these taxes on the shipping charges too
posted on August 13, 2002 09:36:00 PM new
Always use the USPS web site for calculating Canadian postage. If it is lower once you get to the post office, then good. They should pay more just for all of the trouble they will put you through to send the package. That is the only country so far I have ever had any trouble shipping to. Always when there is a problem it is some whinner stating I should have sent it as a gift. NEVER SEND A PACKAGE AS A GIFT. CUSTOMS IS NOW INSPECTING ITEMS AND IF YOU LIE ON A CUSTOMS FORM, YOU WILL END UP IN COURT. Always put what the item sold for on the customs form as well.
For any other country the steps are the same, you will just have much less aggravation.
If you still need help, go to the PO and ask them what the forms are that you will need and they will give them to you.
posted on August 13, 2002 10:59:41 PM new
caffeitalia,
It's a very simple process if they ask you to lie on the customs form. Declare the contents as tobacco or liquor, show the value as $2500.00, and ship it to them via UPS. Be sure not to give your correct name on the customs form or the return address. Use the name and address of your favorite NPB
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
posted on August 13, 2002 11:04:13 PM newNEVER SEND A PACKAGE AS A GIFT. CUSTOMS IS NOW INSPECTING ITEMS AND IF YOU LIE ON A CUSTOMS FORM, YOU WILL END UP IN COURT
posted on August 14, 2002 05:51:30 AM new
robertsmithson ... who told you that? It's nonsense. No one will end up in court! The worst they can do, assuming you're not trying to smuggle in drugs, bombs, or, (heaven forbid) pctures of naked ladies, is levy a fine and confiscate the shipment.
Canadians are not like Americans ... we don't sue each other for such menial stuff
posted on August 15, 2002 09:34:56 PM new
The USPS website figures are accurate. However, some sellers are not aware that you can use the Airmail-Letter Post rate for packages, in addition to letters. There is a size restriction (Max. length 24", Max. length, height, depth combined 36" ), but if your package is within those dimensions, then a 1-pound package can be shipped Airmail-Letter Post for $3.75.
Edited to get the smiley out.
[ edited by mypostingid on Aug 15, 2002 09:35 PM ]
posted on August 16, 2002 07:19:41 AM new
Just because they open it, how can they tell it is not a gift? Gifts don't look any different than any other item. I could send a t-shirt as a gift or because someone one bought it from me in an auction.
As for the differences in cost on the USPS website vs at the post office, I would say it is because you are quoting Airmail Parcel Post and when you get to the post office they are charging you for Airmail Letter Post. Letter Post is vastly cheaper. To ship a 1 lb package to Canada, it is $3.75 for Letter Post and $13.25 for Parcel Post. There are size restrictions for Letter Post but everything I have shipped to Canada was able to go Letter post. Even though it says letter, they don't mean only letters can use this rate. When I first started shipping international, I overcharged people because I did not know this.
posted on August 16, 2002 07:55:56 AM newJust because they open it, how can they tell it is not a gift? Gifts don't look any different than any other item.
But, the point is they do open it.
Whether or not they decide it's a gift or not is irrelevant. If they say it is not a gift, then it is not a gift! You cannot argue with them and win ... just like any other policing type service.
But, the main issue here is the fact that when Customs does intercept a package marked "gift" and opens it, it adds about 2 weeks to the delivery time, which will cause your buyer to start making accusations about you.
.