Topic: Shipping to Canada from the States?

[mlinder]

A Canadian buyer won an auction I had up.

Any experiences with shipping to Canada?
I know that Customs and 'Brokering' fees (ups) can get pretty spendy, how to make this as cheap and painless as possible for both of us?

[prsman23@hotmail.c]

If you don't do it often, when you go to the post office list it as a gift, i've not had much of a problem that way.

[StevieMac]

I think it's up to a value of $60 that can be sent as a gift.  USPS charges MUCH, MUCH less at the border than UPS. 

[mlinder]

Well, apparently it's value is quite  bit more than 60 bucks:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&item=170013384642&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESO%3AIT&rd=1

Though I could SAY it's worth less than 60 bucks. Hell, I dunno. Waiting for response from buyer to see what he says.

[Bodi]

Postal shipping is the best assuming they'll take it, there's a size limit I think. UPS ass-reams the receiver with taxes (6% federal and maybe provincial as well) and something like $40.00 CAD for "brokerage". Fedex is pretty much the same.
Canada Post will charge the 6% tax and maybe a dollar or two handling fee... big difference. If you insure the package (good idea) you should put a reasonable value on it.
You should attach an envelope to the outside labelled "customs invoice" and enclose something with the description (used motorcycle parts), the price, and the country of origin (Japan).

[mlinder]

Postal shipping is the best assuming they'll take it, there's a size limit I think. UPS ass-reams the receiver with taxes (6% federal and maybe provincial as well) and something like $40.00 CAD for "brokerage". Fedex is pretty much the same.
Canada Post will charge the 6% tax and maybe a dollar or two handling fee... big difference. If you insure the package (good idea) you should put a reasonable value on it.
You should attach an envelope to the outside labelled "customs invoice" and enclose something with the description (used motorcycle parts), the price, and the country of origin (Japan).

Awesome. Thanks for the info.

[clarkjh]

Will it fit in one of though "Pre-paid" boxes from USPS?  It is usually all you can stuff in the box for a set price.  Again, make sure there is a invoice for Customs on the outside of the box with description, and value.  I don't think there is any duties on used bike parts that are over 15 years old.

James

[BobbyR]

Any hassle would be on the receiving end which is Canada. I ship stereo gear up there all the time. Just don;t get cute with the description like saying "scrap metal". Somethng like used motorcycle part is all you need on this end.

[nickjtc]

Any hassle would be on the receiving end which is Canada. I ship stereo gear up there all the time. Just don;t get cute with the description like saying "scrap metal". Somethng like used motorcycle part is all you need on this end.

I've received a lot of bits and pieces from the US. Using regular post rather than a courier seems to work better, if slower. And 'used motorcycle parts' is the best description to use. Don't quote me on this, but I have been led to believe that every parcel going in to either the US or Canada is being opened for 'security' reasons. If so it doesn't pay to undervalue the item being sent because a customs official in the know might realise that this 'used motorcycle part' is worth way more than the $5 (or whatever) you claim it is worth.

[seaweb11]

Ditto on all the comments about UPS/FedEx etc. (DON'T DO IT)

Send it regular mail and the guy won't get stung with a bunch of extra charges. I hate seeing a courier at my door...I always have to go find a check book. Post Office PU, hardly ever have to pay anything.

[csendker]

I've gotten stuff FROM the Great White North, but haven't shipped there.  It didn't cost much more or less or take any longer than US/US shipping.  I recall reading that there is some sort of US/CDN agreement for used Jap bike parts (less customs $$ or something like that), as opposed to say, German stuff.  Unless you get an aficionado, I doubt anyone would realize the value of sandcast stuff - I don't mean list it as worth $1, but if the $60 threshold is real you can probably list it around there as opposed to the final e-buy price.

Here --> http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=9604.msg89393#msg89393 this thread talks of shipping in both directions.