Shipping skates to the US

[NuggyBuggy 0]

I am in the process of selling some skates used a few times to an MSHer in the US. I am in Canada. Is there a preferred way to do this ? I know that if things were coming from the US INTO Canada, I would want it shipped by USPS (vs e.g. FedEx/UPS) to avoid insane brokerage fees. Is there anything comparable going into the US ?

Both parties are interested in shipping in a quick, economical, but sure way. The preliminary quotes I got, FedEx was cheaper by a bit to a lot for the different rates CanadaPost was offering, but I don't want the other party to get screwed with unforeseen brokerage/duties.

Also - should I mark the package in a particular way (e.g. "gift") ?

thanks !

[BK 0]

Steer clear of canadian post.

I work in a shipping department and I handle shipments to and from Canada. We use UPS to get TO canada and we try to have our customers ship back defective merch/rma using the same (we give them our ups number). Fedex is ok but pricey.. DHL is good but VERY pricey.. I would stick to ups.

[Jason Harris 31]

I'd ship it Gift via Canada Post and mark the value at about $50, maybe less.

The only downside to this method is Canada Post can be a bit slow in getting shipments to the US.

[NuggyBuggy 0]

I'd ship it Gift via Canada Post and mark the value at about $50, maybe less.

Thanks for the advice Jason. If I ship an item with a declared/marked value of $50 whether by CanadaPost or UPS as badkitty suggests, does that affect our ability to claim the value of the skates in the event the item is lost ?

[pantherfan 0]

Couldn't you just put unknown?

[althoma1 575]

Definitely ship via Canada Post - either Expedited Post USA or XpressPost USA. You might pay slightly more in shipping and it may take a bit longer, but it's worth it to save the brokerage fees as UPS and Fedex will charge large brokerage fees ($35 and up). Mark the item as a gift as SalmingUSA suggested.

Marking the value at $50 or less vs above $50 can affect taxes/duties and insurance. If you mark it as less than $50 then the buyer likely won't have to pay taxes and duties, but if it gets lost Canada Post will likely only give you the value you marked. If you mark it at the actual value the buyer will likely pay duty and taxes, but if it gets lost you'll get the full value back from Canada Post....eventually.

[fastmiele 59]

do as the people have recommeded shipping via Canada Post and mark the package as a "gift".

Just as a note, a number of US members here have told me that they have never had any problems with brokerage charges, customs/tariffs and/or taxes when the Canada sender did not mark the package as a "gift". I don't know why though ?

Maybe US members here can provide some insight.

[Jason Harris 31]

Nuggy, I've never had an item lost via USPO or Canada Post, but I've always assumed that marking the value lower to avoid duties/tariffs would establish the value in the event of a lost or damaged shipment.

However, as I was typing this, I realized that skates only have a duty of 2.4%, which shouldn't add up to too much. I'd present the options to your buyer. If he's aware of the risks yet still wants to keep his costs lower, that's his choice.

[mew1838 0]

If I buy a pair of skates from a Canadian store and have them shipped to me? Would I get charged duties, etc2?

[jimmy 194]

It's not the duties that gets you it's the broker and tarrif processing fees the gov't charges, they can add up.

[pisani34 10]

go for purolator! i guess its almost essentially canada post, but i just shipped some toys for the easton drive and i thought the service was VERY reasonable. $20 to ship, took 4 days in total, no customs/duties or other fees etc on their part, and full insurance coverage for $200. oh and about the whole marking as $50 value but wanting full coverage.

I was able to purchase coverage for the whole $200 value that i purchased the item for, but Purolator let me declare the value for customs as $2.00, yes $2.00 a toonie, since i told her i didn't want them paying anything extra since it was a gift. I then proceeded to ask that if it got lost that i would still get coverage of $200. they confirmed that i would still get my $200 coverage if it was lost, even with at $2.00 declared value for customs.

[Shrek 0]

Just received a pair of skates from the U.S. and had to pay $10.60 GST Tax. Skates were marked at $40 value and as a "gift". Shipping was via USPS.

Somtimes they can slip through customs with no problems at all....depends on the flavor of the day. ;)

[mickz 107]

It may delay the package if you mark it as a gift as customs might hold it if they think it's something suspicious. (ex. if you had a $2000 Plasma TV that you're marking as a gift worth $20)

Anyways, DO NOT declare that value lower than what you're selling it for. This is for insurance purposes so if they lose your package, you will only get the declared value returned to you.

Just received a pair of skates from the U.S. and had to pay $10.60 GST Tax. Skates were marked at $40 value and as a "gift". Shipping was via USPS.

Somtimes they can slip through customs with no problems at all....depends on the flavor of the day. ;)

You can get taxed on any package over $20, including gifts.

[Shrek 0]

You can get taxed on any package over $20, including gifts.

http://canadaonline.about.com/od/customs/q...ftstocanada.htm

[NuggyBuggy 0]

You can get taxed on any package over $20, including gifts.

http://canadaonline.about.com/od/customs/q...ftstocanada.htm

That article is about shipping stuff to Canada, not to the US.