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Julie · 03-01-2013, 09:36 AM

I usually try to refrain from shipping items internationally because I'm afraid that I'll make a mistake, purchase the wrong service, the package will get lost, insurance won't reimburse me, etc... I know, I worry too much.

But better to ask for advice and be safe then sorry, right?

Okay, so if I plan to ship a tiny lens to Canada (package won't weight more than 1lb or so) and the package will be small. Value of $150.
How would you guys recommend shipping this through USPS, what services?

Thanks!

Phil1 · 03-01-2013, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by Julie

I usually try to refrain from shipping items internationally because I'm afraid that I'll make a mistake, purchase the wrong service, the package will get lost, insurance won't reimburse me, etc... I know, I worry too much.

But better to ask for advice and be safe then sorry, right?

Okay, so if I plan to ship a tiny lens to Canada (package won't weight more than 1lb or so) and the package will be small. Value of $150.
How would you guys recommend shipping this through USPS, what services?

Thanks!

US mail works fine with insurance.

rhodopsin · 03-01-2013, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by Phil1

US mail works fine with insurance.

+1 After many packages shipped to CA via USPS, no problem here...

bigted · 03-01-2013, 10:30 AM

I've never had any problems with packages coming via USPS to Canada.

mrNewt · 03-01-2013, 10:53 AM

Originally posted by bigted

I've never had any problems with packages coming via USPS to Canada.

Same here!

pete-tarmigan · 03-01-2013, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by Julie

I usually try to refrain from shipping items internationally because I'm afraid that I'll make a mistake, purchase the wrong service, the package will get lost, insurance won't reimburse me, etc... I know, I worry too much.

But better to ask for advice and be safe then sorry, right?

Okay, so if I plan to ship a tiny lens to Canada (package won't weight more than 1lb or so) and the package will be small. Value of $150.
How would you guys recommend shipping this through USPS, what services?

Thanks!

UPS (United Parcel Service) and FedEx charge whopping customs brokerage fees (e.g., see http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html) to calculate the GST when shipping from the U.S. to Canada. In contrast, Canada Post does not charge a brokerage fee (they charge only the GST), so USPS (U.S. Postal Service) is the preferred method.

Julie · 03-01-2013, 11:09 AM

Okay thanks, but when dealing with insurance all I see (online) is Registered Mail and Certificate of Mailing. And from my understanding, Registered Mail reimbursement is only up to $47 and Certificate of Mailing isn't insurance.

If I went to the USPS post office and asked to ship it with insurance to Canada, could I purchase it there, because I'm not seeing an option for full insurance coverage online? (I'm looking at First Class International and Priority Mail International).

johnyates · 03-01-2013, 11:10 AM

USPS is the way to go. The courier companies charge a brokerage fee which is a total rip-off. I've bought plenty of stuff from the US and never had a problem. As the shipper, you'll have to fill out a customs form at the post office. Shouldn't be too onerous.

**boriscleto** · 03-01-2013, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by Julie

If I went to the USPS post office and asked to ship it with insurance to Canada, could I purchase it there, because I'm not seeing an option for full insurance coverage online? (I'm looking at First Class International and Priority Mail International).

I have always found it best to go the post office and ask about different options. Much easier than trying to decipher their web page.

pete-tarmigan · 03-01-2013, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by pete-tarmigan

UPS (United Parcel Service) and FedEx charge whopping customs brokerage fees (e.g., see B&H website) to calculate the GST when shipping from the U.S. to Canada. In contrast, Canada Post does not charge a brokerage fee (they charge only the GST), so USPS (U.S. Postal Service) is the preferred method.

B&H seems to have added Purolator for shipping to Canada, which drastically cuts the cost compared with UPS and FedEx.

mrNewt · 03-01-2013, 12:09 PM

Might be slightly off topic ... but as an additional info, apparently when you track your package via FedEx and UPS, every time you check it on their website, a small cost is added to the final fee you need to pay when picking up or receiving the package.
Heard that from a couple of friends that were a little ticked off by it ... not from personal knowledge.

p38arover · 03-01-2013, 03:00 PM

I have a lot of stuff posted from the USA to Australia. Never had a problem with the USPS. Heck, I even posted four shock absorbers for my 4WD back from SFO so that I wouldn't have to have them in my bags. They arrived back here before I did.

I ask for First Class Priority as it's not that expensive.

stormtech · 03-01-2013, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by Julie

Okay thanks, but when dealing with insurance all I see (online) is Registered Mail and Certificate of Mailing. And from my understanding, Registered Mail reimbursement is only up to $47 and Certificate of Mailing isn't insurance.

If I went to the USPS post office and asked to ship it with insurance to Canada, could I purchase it there, because I'm not seeing an option for full insurance coverage online? (I'm looking at First Class International and Priority Mail International).

Yes, you can purchase insurance for a package to Canada at the post office. The reason is that for international shipments, if insured, the package must be presented in person to a clerk.

Up until a short time ago, you had to present any package going to Canada in person for the customs form, but they seemed to relax that lately as you can do the customs form on-line.

My suggestion would be to just bring the package to the post office and they will help you with the customs form and with purchasing insurance. You can buy insurance for the package using Priority International.

CP140 · 03-01-2013, 10:40 PM

Add my vote to USPS. I get stuff shipped from the US (both stuff I've bought on line and the odd gift or two from family in the US) quite frequently and have not had a problem... as others have mentioned, the courier companies often add "brokerage" fees that can be quite steep.

**c.a.m** · 03-02-2013, 07:39 PM

Another vote for USPS. Since I have never taken insurance on my purchases from US vendors, I can't advise on that. But I've had very good service with USPS and Canada Post - reasonably quick delivery on small-ish parcels and packages, direct delivery to my local neighborhood mailbox, and no brokerage fees or customs duties.

03-01-2013, 09:36 AM	#1
Julie Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,069	Shipping small item to Canada I usually try to refrain from shipping items internationally because I'm afraid that I'll make a mistake, purchase the wrong service, the package will get lost, insurance won't reimburse me, etc... I know, I worry too much. But better to ask for advice and be safe then sorry, right? Okay, so if I plan to ship a tiny lens to Canada (package won't weight more than 1lb or so) and the package will be small. Value of $150. How would you guys recommend shipping this through USPS, what services? Thanks!

03-01-2013, 11:06 AM	#6
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by Julie I usually try to refrain from shipping items internationally because I'm afraid that I'll make a mistake, purchase the wrong service, the package will get lost, insurance won't reimburse me, etc... I know, I worry too much. But better to ask for advice and be safe then sorry, right? Okay, so if I plan to ship a tiny lens to Canada (package won't weight more than 1lb or so) and the package will be small. Value of $150. How would you guys recommend shipping this through USPS, what services? Thanks! UPS (United Parcel Service) and FedEx charge whopping customs brokerage fees (e.g., see http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html) to calculate the GST when shipping from the U.S. to Canada. In contrast, Canada Post does not charge a brokerage fee (they charge only the GST), so USPS (U.S. Postal Service) is the preferred method. Last edited by pete-tarmigan; 03-01-2013 at 11:33 AM.

03-01-2013, 10:40 PM	#14
CP140 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Greater Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 190	Add my vote to USPS. I get stuff shipped from the US (both stuff I've bought on line and the odd gift or two from family in the US) quite frequently and have not had a problem... as others have mentioned, the courier companies often add "brokerage" fees that can be quite steep. Last edited by CP140; 03-01-2013 at 10:41 PM. Reason: Correct spelling mistrake

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03-01-2013, 09:44 AM	#2
Phil1 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,292	Originally posted by Julie I usually try to refrain from shipping items internationally because I'm afraid that I'll make a mistake, purchase the wrong service, the package will get lost, insurance won't reimburse me, etc... I know, I worry too much. But better to ask for advice and be safe then sorry, right? Okay, so if I plan to ship a tiny lens to Canada (package won't weight more than 1lb or so) and the package will be small. Value of $150. How would you guys recommend shipping this through USPS, what services? Thanks! US mail works fine with insurance.

03-01-2013, 10:26 AM	#3
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Originally posted by Phil1 US mail works fine with insurance. +1 After many packages shipped to CA via USPS, no problem here...

03-01-2013, 10:30 AM	#4
bigted Moderator Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jessica Lake, Whiteshell Provincial Park, or Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,594	I've never had any problems with packages coming via USPS to Canada.

03-01-2013, 10:53 AM	#5
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Originally posted by bigted I've never had any problems with packages coming via USPS to Canada. Same here!

03-01-2013, 11:09 AM	#7
Julie Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,069 Original Poster	Okay thanks, but when dealing with insurance all I see (online) is Registered Mail and Certificate of Mailing. And from my understanding, Registered Mail reimbursement is only up to $47 and Certificate of Mailing isn't insurance. If I went to the USPS post office and asked to ship it with insurance to Canada, could I purchase it there, because I'm not seeing an option for full insurance coverage online? (I'm looking at First Class International and Priority Mail International).

03-01-2013, 11:10 AM	#8
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	USPS is the way to go. The courier companies charge a brokerage fee which is a total rip-off. I've bought plenty of stuff from the US and never had a problem. As the shipper, you'll have to fill out a customs form at the post office. Shouldn't be too onerous.

03-01-2013, 11:25 AM	#9
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by Julie If I went to the USPS post office and asked to ship it with insurance to Canada, could I purchase it there, because I'm not seeing an option for full insurance coverage online? (I'm looking at First Class International and Priority Mail International). I have always found it best to go the post office and ask about different options. Much easier than trying to decipher their web page.

03-01-2013, 11:33 AM	#10
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by pete-tarmigan UPS (United Parcel Service) and FedEx charge whopping customs brokerage fees (e.g., see B&H website) to calculate the GST when shipping from the U.S. to Canada. In contrast, Canada Post does not charge a brokerage fee (they charge only the GST), so USPS (U.S. Postal Service) is the preferred method. B&H seems to have added Purolator for shipping to Canada, which drastically cuts the cost compared with UPS and FedEx.

03-01-2013, 12:09 PM	#11
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Might be slightly off topic ... but as an additional info, apparently when you track your package via FedEx and UPS, every time you check it on their website, a small cost is added to the final fee you need to pay when picking up or receiving the package. Heard that from a couple of friends that were a little ticked off by it ... not from personal knowledge.

03-01-2013, 03:00 PM	#12
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084	I have a lot of stuff posted from the USA to Australia. Never had a problem with the USPS. Heck, I even posted four shock absorbers for my 4WD back from SFO so that I wouldn't have to have them in my bags. They arrived back here before I did. I ask for First Class Priority as it's not that expensive.

03-01-2013, 04:26 PM	#13
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by Julie Okay thanks, but when dealing with insurance all I see (online) is Registered Mail and Certificate of Mailing. And from my understanding, Registered Mail reimbursement is only up to $47 and Certificate of Mailing isn't insurance. If I went to the USPS post office and asked to ship it with insurance to Canada, could I purchase it there, because I'm not seeing an option for full insurance coverage online? (I'm looking at First Class International and Priority Mail International). Yes, you can purchase insurance for a package to Canada at the post office. The reason is that for international shipments, if insured, the package must be presented in person to a clerk. Up until a short time ago, you had to present any package going to Canada in person for the customs form, but they seemed to relax that lately as you can do the customs form on-line. My suggestion would be to just bring the package to the post office and they will help you with the customs form and with purchasing insurance. You can buy insurance for the package using Priority International.

03-02-2013, 07:39 PM	#15
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,193	Another vote for USPS. Since I have never taken insurance on my purchases from US vendors, I can't advise on that. But I've had very good service with USPS and Canada Post - reasonably quick delivery on small-ish parcels and packages, direct delivery to my local neighborhood mailbox, and no brokerage fees or customs duties.

Shipping small item to Canada

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