US shipping to Canada question?

[MonkeyloveGood]

I have a 4lb camera and a 25lb LCD moniter. I need to ship from Chicago to canada. What's the best service to use as in cheapest with tracking?

USPS is too expensive and they don't provide any tracking...cept for global express. Super Pricey! Cost $19 to ship 4lb object last time

UPS or fedex? About how much are they gonna be? Thanks!

 

[toekramp]

4lb camera, holy geez.

 

[MonkeyloveGood]

lol..the box is 4lbs not the camera itself...

 

[iamme]

have you tried UPS.com and FEDEX.com?

don't they have shipping calculators?

 

[LukFilm]

I HIGHLY recommend USPS because not only are they cheaper than UPS and FedEx, but the Canadian customer will NOT have to pay brokerage fees that would be incurred either with UPS or FedEx. If you want tracking, Global Express Mail is the only way to go, just make sure you charge the customer enough to ship using this shipping method. TRUST ME ON THIS.

 

[LukFilm]

BTW, you should insure the package which would cost you $15.50, while going with Global Express Mail is only $4 more. So the difference is not that big (for the camera). For the LCD, I'd just go without tracking, but full insurance.

 

[MonkeyloveGood]

wouldn't those 2 go hand and hand...insrurance and tracking? I tried their shipping calculators on their sites but there's usually not accurate for international shipping. Also, USPS is grossly over priced and they only provide tracking within the US. I don't understand why global priority doesn't provide tracking?!?!?


The shipping for the 25lb moniter will be probably $30 or or more with USPS with global express...I don't know what to do.

 

[mrlayance]

Just ship US Postal, and once it hits Canada it will be shipped CanadaPost. I believe you can get delievery conformation.

 

[LukFilm]

Originally posted by: MonkeyloveGood
wouldn't those 2 go hand and hand...insrurance and tracking? I tried their shipping calculators on their sites but there's usually not accurate for international shipping. Also, USPS is grossly over priced and they only provide tracking within the US. I don't understand why global priority doesn't provide tracking?!?!?


The shipping for the 25lb moniter will be probably $30 or or more with USPS with global express...I don't know what to do.

No, insurance and tracking don't go hand in hand. The calculators are EXACT as to what you will pay. No, USPS is not grossly overpriced (try UPS or FedEx for comparison) and YES, they do provide tracking outside the USA. That's the point of the tracking, otherwise they wouldn't be offering it. Global priority doesn't have tracking because only Global Express Mail has it, duh!

 

[MonkeyloveGood]

No.. USPS only tracks the package to the borders. I'd shipped a couple times and that's what they told me time and time again.

I did do fedex. They said like 8 bucks which I know is wrong for a 4lb camera

 

[MonkeyloveGood]

well..10 bucks via fedex ground for the 4lb camera..and there is tracking right??

It will be about $19 with USPS global express (tracking)

Global priority is like 11 but NO tracking at all

 

[LukFilm]

Originally posted by: MonkeyloveGood
No.. USPS only tracks the package to the borders. I'd shipped a couple times and that's what they told me time and time again.

I did do fedex. They said like 8 bucks which I know is wrong for a 4lb camera

Whatever you say. I wasn't "told" what it does, I KNOW what it does as I've tracked shipments all over the world and the tracking number doesn't stop at the border. But believe whatever you want to believe...

 

[joinT]

Originally posted by: LukFilm
I HIGHLY recommend USPS because not only are they cheaper than UPS and FedEx, but the Canadian customer will NOT have to pay brokerage fees that would be incurred either with UPS or FedEx. If you want tracking, Global Express Mail is the only way to go, just make sure you charge the customer enough to ship using this shipping method. TRUST ME ON THIS.

Totally agreed. Expect high brokerage fees on an LCD.

 

[MonkeyloveGood]

I don't understand why the USPS empolyees would lie to me about it not tracking outside of the US. I seriously don't understand why the USPS doesn't provide DC with Global priority, forcing you to upgrade to nearly 2x the cost for DC!

And about those brokerage fees, aren't those related to the cost of the camera? Couldn't I declare the value to be a lot less? Can someone clarify what the brokerage fees are (like any like USPS taxes?).

So far, fedex seems to be the cheapest shipping. UPS doesn't allow rate calculation outside of us without making 2 accounts it seems.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

For the love of God, don't send the items by Ground for either Fedex or UPS, the customer will get absolutely reamed with brokerage fees when they get the package (min. $20 even on small values, usually more).

You may as well let them know about brokerage and ship it air as the brokerage fee is included for that service. The best option is USPS Global Priority, it has a flat rate brokerage fee of something like $5 and it does allow for DC w/signature (though maybe not tracking).

 

[Kenazo]

As a Canadian who buys things on FS/T all the time... USPS!!!!

As everyone else here has stated, the purchaser will get nailed with huge brokerage fees by the other two companies (I had to pay $50ish on a $300 purchase once). USPS/Canada Post does not charge this fee.

 

[MonkeyloveGood]

So what exactly are brokerage fees? As in how is it calculated? Based purely on size and weight or value?

I finally get that they're different from customs taxes. And Global prriority would be the best deal if it included DC or and kind of proof of shipment. Global express is $64!!! for the 25lbs and $19 for the 4 lb camera.

Fedex is $27 for 25lbs, and $10 for 4 lbs.

I waay underestimated shipping costs. Darn, should have put NO canada into my auction.

 

[RossMAN]

I agree with LukFilm, he's shipped dozens of auction items to Canada and knows his sh!t.

 

[Kenazo]

I'd recommend telling the purchaser about the Brokerage fees with UPS and Fedex, and give them the option of paying the shipping cost difference for you, otherwise you'll ship UPS. I think that would be fair.

If it was a FS/T deal, I'd be more sympathetic for the purchaser.

 

[Pepsi90919]

what do you mean 'chicago to canada' ? surely you're educated enough to know that canada isn't a big city.

 

[MonkeyloveGood]

uh, USPS calculates postage to CANADA only. They, along with airborne does not ask for the destination zip code so that would lead me to believe the costs are relatively the SAME.

 

[Kenazo]

shipping within canada is pretty flat rate when it comes to Canada Post. I'm not sure why.

 

[MonkeyloveGood]

actually, the purchaser of the LCD is from fs/ft. I only assumed a shipping cost of about $30 to Canada. But a $60 shipping cost is insane through USPS. I can't just renegoiate how much the item is after we agreed on the price so obviously I want to find the cheapest and yet still trackable method of shipping to Canada. I already told the buyer I would ship the cheapest method possible.

As no one has still clarified what the brokerage fees are...(as in based on size and weight of package OR declared value) I haven't mentioned it to the buyer yet. A $60 shipping cost is unfair to me as the seller since there is a cheaper method out there and we agreed on the cheapest method with tracking.


btw, global priority is not even offered for 25lbs. I can opt for parcel post for like $30...lol 3-4 weeks. (of course i won't use this method..it's here for reference).
Through USPS, doesn't the receiver have to pay heavy customs?

 

[Kenazo]

Tell him you'll be sending it UPS, and there will be brokerage fees (I'm not sure on the amount, though I'm sure you could call UPS and find out, as I posted earlier, I got hit with $50 on $300 purchase once), or he can send you the difference to ship USPS. I think that would be fair.

I believe the Brokerage fees is what UPS charges the purchaser for clearing customs for them.

 

[IEatChildren]

Offer then shipping insurance, and if they don't take it, ship USPS without DC. You have their money already and you know you sent their item.
From the moment it leaves your hands it shouldn't be your responsibility anymore unless they pay for insurance. Obviously as long as it's packed well.
If they do take insurance, then you give them a choice as to which service they want you to use.