Question
I'm going to start selling again, and finish clearing out all this stuff (FINALLY!!).
When I went to the Canada Post site to figure out roughly how much to quote for shipping, I nearly fell over at how much postage has increased since the last time I shipped to the US. Based on my calculations, I'll need to charge $20 USD to (almost) cover shipping.
What is everyone else doing? How are YOU handling it?
TIA!
Answer
I ship most of my product via FedEx. I can provide door to door service for about half of what you're saying postage is going to cost you.
I don't know about others but I've found the Canada Post site to be a hodge podge of information that means basically nothing because when you take an item to the Post Office it's either more or less than what you get off the site.
They have small packet and air and express and surface and on and on and they all have different qualifiers. I don't use them unless I have to which is on real small items. Then they become cheaper than FedEx but then I inevitably get an email asking where the item is and how long is it going to take.
Yada, yada, yada. Canada Post blows.
Answer
I'd been in mail order for 7 years before I started selling on eBay in 1998, with postal rates going up every year. So, I decided that I would never list anything on eBay that couldn't be shipped lettermail (lettermail includes small packet). Works for me. I also like the fact that I can just drop packages into the nearest red mailbox. I have a digital scale at home. I only go to the post office about once every three months, to buy stamps.
There's a pamphlet that Canada Post publishes that has tables showing all the postal rates (Canada, U.S., International) for lettermail. Size and weight qualifications are listed. Just ask for the pamphlet at your post office.
Answer
Originally Posted by Irene
I'd been in mail order for 7 years before I started selling on eBay in 1998, with postal rates going up every year. So, I decided that I would never list anything on eBay that couldn't be shipped lettermail (lettermail includes small packet). Works for me. I also like the fact that I can just drop packages into the nearest red mailbox. I have a digital scale at home. I only go to the post office about once every three months, to buy stamps.
Hi Irene:
First, you should get a small business card and you will get a discount on all expresspost, expedited, US expedited, US expresspost, US Commercial Expedited rates. No discount on small packet.
I wouldn't buy stamps as that way you are paying the GST. If you take them; to the post office, you won't have to pay GST on the packages going outside Canada. If you are GST registered, then of course you can apply for the refund of the GST when you do your GST report.
I use fedex for large packages for the east coast. If going to the west coast, Canada Post Expredited is usually cheaper, as most go to people's houses so with fedex you also get hit with a $1.75 residential fee and if in rural area a $3.75 rural fee. Of course if going to a box number, then has to go by mail. Also, if it is over $200 then it goes expedited (not commercial expedited, that is like courier) otherwise if sent fedex they will get hit with brokerage fees. But won't if sent expedited or expresspost.
And generally, on small packets, I find it cheaper to send to the US than within Canada.
Jill
Answer
Originally Posted by Jill
... And generally, on small packets, I find it cheaper to send to the US than within Canada.
One of my Canada Post pet peeves is the different weight maximums for small packet, depending on country. The maximum for Canada is 500 grams, for the U.S. is 1 kilogram and for other countries is 2 kilograms. In particular I wish the Canadian maximum were higher.
I've been registered for GST since 1991 and have received a net refund every quarter since then. My revenues are mostly foreign and thus not subject to GST and all my expenses, except inventory, are incurred here in Canada. I've had a couple of phone calls over the years from Revenue Canada over the years asking about my GST filings but they seemed satisfied with my explanation.
Thanks for the tips about larger items - I'm going to pass them on to my brother who ships larger packages.
Answer
Thanks for the replies.
I'll check out Fedex. Does the US buyer incur any "brokerage fees" receiving a Canadian package thru Fedex? I know if someone in the US sends a package to Canada using Fedex, the Canadian receipient gets nailed for a brokerage fee, even though there's no duty/tax payable.
Answer
Originally Posted by CowPrincess*
Thanks for the replies.
I'll check out Fedex. Does the US buyer incur any "brokerage fees" receiving a Canadian package thru Fedex? I know if someone in the US sends a package to Canada using Fedex, the Canadian receipient gets nailed for a brokerage fee, even though there's no duty/tax payable.
If using fedex, actually use Canpar. They pass off to fedex at the border and you'll get a better rate than if you go with fedex itself.
Americans have a $200 import limit, so anything under that and you're okay.
If over, then use the mail. But only small packet, Expedited or Xpresspost. Commercial expedited is like courier and will also incur brokerage or any duty for your customers.
Jill