Type of shipping materials help

[Former_Member]

Hey guys,
I am just about to open up shop in the next week or so (months in the making). Just working out kinks, descriptions and shipping. I really cant wrap my head around the shipping part. I am from Edmonton and i went to a gazillion different shoppers drug mart post offices (all i can seem to find for post offices) and every single one of them just kinda looked at me like i spoke greek. Not sure if it is just because they are small kiosks usually run by a store cashier

My products are going to be bandanas for pets. The product packaging they come in is at most a 6.75in x 9.75in per bandana, and not heavy at all. I'm taking great pride in the packaging of the bandanas and i don't want to just shove them into a plain ol' envelope slap some stamps on and call er good. Which is what they suggested.

What would be the best envelopes? I was thinking the padded envelopes or the plastic bag type ones. I don't want the package to get to the customer and be all mushed or ripped if it were just paper envelopes. And i dont think that would work for shipping to the US or Internationally.

Then, if i go with the padded envelopes am i best to use Etsy for the shipping labels and costs? Or do i actually use stamps? But i need to know how much the package weighs it seems. I guess id have to buy a scale of somesort.

Is there anything special i have to do to ship outside of Canada? Customs form, i know, but where or how do i do that.

I dont like how Etsy doesnt give you exact information unless your shop is indeed open. Im not ready for that and i dont want to put false shipping info and then get a bad review or something.
But i do like the fact that etsy shipping i dont have to pay that moment and its a bill.

Please help. The biggest question is the type of packaging really.
Thanks

Stephanie

[toysofthepast]

Hi Stephanie :)

It sounds like you're getting frustrated, and it's totally understandable - especially after going to a gazillion outlets and basically getting no information. Sorry about that!

Within Canada you would be able to use Oversized Letter:
Envelopes must be no thicker than 2cm or .75 inches.
maximum measurements - 38 X 27 X 2cm
Here are the prices:
www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/prices/Canada.pdf

Outside of Canada (US and International) your packages would probably be able to go by Light Packet if they stay within these measurements:
Maximum dimensions: 380 mm x 270 mm x 20 mm
and Minimum dimensions: 140 mm x 90 mm x 0.18 mm.

I actually don't know if Etsy labels are available for Oversize Letter within Canada, as I don't use them.
But they do offer Light Packet labels.

In order to stay within the measurements above, you might have to stay away from bubble envelopes, unless your packaging inside is very thin (tissue paper, etc). Best thing to do is get an envelope, package an item and take it to the PO (Gah! Sorry to send you back there again!) and ask to see if it will fit through their slot for Light Packet (which is not-so-affectionately called the 'slot of doom' by most sellers).

If the bubble mailers do fit, then it is completely up to you if you use them or the plastic ones - whichever you like/think will work best for your products.

Custom labels are really easy to fill out, I grab a bunch at a time and fill them out at home before going to the PO to save time while there. You should be able to ask for a few, so you can see what they look like.
But, if you use Etsy labels, I believe the customs information is printed with/on the label which takes care of that extra step for you. (Again, I don't use the labels, but pretty sure that's how it works.)

You will definitely need a scale at home if you are going to use Etsy labels, but they can be purchased for pretty good prices.

An excellent information thread on all things Canada Post:
https://www.etsy.com/teams/7654/etsy-international/discuss/6779956/page/1
(Note that the thread was started in 2011, so the prices, etc that you see at the beginning are not up-to-date. But you can join that team and post your questions to get all the answers.)

Good luck! Let us know when you're open so we can check out your shop!

~Holly
xo

[Former_Member]

Hi Stephanie,

I haven't used Etsy labels but I have purchased Canada Post shipping labels directly through PayPal, which pulls the shipping info directly from the customer's transaction receipt. There's only a discount for Expedited or Xpresspost shipments. You'll need a scale.

If you want to insure your shipments, Canada Post stopped doing that for Small Packets a while ago, but it is possible to do it through a third party e.g. Shipsurance, or you can just self-insure. If the former, you'll need proof of shipment so I think postage stamps wouldn't work for that. When I buy labels through PayPal, they contain a barcode, and I ask the post office clerks to scan them and print me a receipt containing a list of those barcodes for proof of shipment. I accidentally found out I could do this after years and three-plus post offices where clerks never offered this option to me--I asked multiple times if I could get proof of shipment and most clerks said no. So it's good to keep asking different clerks and be specific about any questions you have!

If you get to a point where you're shipping a large volume (fingers crossed!), Canada Post has a Venture One program which also offers discounts for Expedited/Xpresspost, shipping supplies etc. But other companies specializing in shipping supplies often have even heaped prices.

Good luck!

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

Etsy is more expensive for oversized lettermail, or at least it was at the point that I looked into it. I use bubble envelopes to ship paper items, and they go through a postal outlet each time. Weigh scale at home to give correct shipping estimates.

[NextThymeCraftStudio]

If you're wanting ecofriendly shipping stuff I use Ecoenclose. This way there isn't more plastic packages and tape out there to just throw away.

I do use Etsy for printing off labels because it saves so much time and it's so easy. As long as it's under 2cm thick you can use the light packet option. For thicker use the Small packet.
For packages in Canada that are 23x16x2cm I just put a $1.80 stamp.

[FelinePurrtyDesigns]

Just to add on to the other great advice you've received. I have a Canada Post small business card (free to join) which gives me discounts and free insurance on the parcels I send. You don't get discounts for stamps though. If you package will be over 2cm (most of mine are 2.5 - and weigh under 50g) express post is going to be your cheapest option with the small business card (same rates as regular parcel most of the time). Figure out the FLATEST way to ship, as that will likely be the cheapest - beware of the "slot of doom". :)

[ironartcanada]

When using Etsy Direct Checkout you will get a discount and not have to use Canada Post small business card.

Everything is so much easier.

[ironartcanada]

Kerri from AnurainDesign says If you're wanting ecofriendly shipping stuff I use Ecoenclose. This way there isn't more plastic packages and tape out there to just throw away.

I do use Etsy for printing off labels because it saves so much time and it's so easy. As long as it's under 2cm thick you can use the light packet option. For thicker use the Small packet.
For packages in Canada that are 23x16x2cm I just put a $1.80 stamp.

Kerri:

I love how you use small packet for 1.80$ and would love to know if you have had any issues with packages not arriving. Because there is no tracking or insurance, how do you deal with clients who claim their parcel didn't arrive. Please advise. Thanks in advance,

[Splurge]

Hi Robert, I have loved your belt buckles for some time - small world on Etsy, isn't' it?

For shipping in Canada, I use the $1.80 option as Oversized Mail, buying the stamps and shipping as you would a thick letter. Customers could claim that packages did not arrive so I take photos of each letter before shipping (thinking that provides some limited evidence but recognizing that is not any true proof of shipping).

Based on my shop history, I anticipate there could be a certain percentage of my shipments going missing each year with little or no way for me to recover that loss. Knowing that, I add a small amount in the cost of all of my pieces to cover the 'planned loss' each year.