Shipping to Canada help =)

[Former_Member]

Hi All!

Hope everything is going great in your shops today!! I had question about shipping to Canada. I have a customer who asked if there was a duty/tax she needed to pay if I shipped to her. I have only shipped to London one time and have very little experience shipping international. Any help would be appreciated! I believe I need to fill out a customs form? Anyway to ensure the package doesn't get lost...I always do a delivery confirmation for US shipping. Not sure about Canada.

Thanks everyone!!
Julie

[Untwistedsister]

I don't know the answer but maybe you can suggest she contact customs in Canada. Or you can see if there's a Canada team with someone that'll know.

[Untwistedsister]

oh, and if you're shippiing from USA there's no delivery confirmation to Canada unless you ship Priority medium flat rate. You can insure with a third party insurer like InsurePost.com

[livjewellery]

I'm in Canada and I have never paid duty on an etsy order - and I have bought countless items over the last three years.

Just don't ship via UPS - the brokerage fees are astronomical.

[jeanalt1]

I ship to Canada frequently and it is easy. It is just the same as to any other country-- you do need to fill out customs forms at the post office. The rates to Canada are based on weight and are available on the USPS website. There aren't any additional fees or duty tax.

[Former_Member]

I shipped to Canada once but it was a hassel. I forgot that I would be charged for her money to be converted to US dollars. I'm not sure on the duty if she had to pay or not but sometimes they do but I would make sure they know that the seller should not be responsible for paying. And ya, no delivery confirmation. My post master said my package could get there in a week or 2 weeks because their postal service is unreliable. I since changed my shipping to strictly US for now since I am still new to it as well. Best of luck!

[GoTo]

Items over $20 might be subject to tax (like our sales tax)--if you ship via USPS it's hit or miss as to whether the package will get stopped or not. If you ship FedEx or UPS the buyer will definitely be billed for tax if the item is over $20. There's also brokerage fees--FedEx usually includes it in their online price quote (which is why a package under a pound is like $50 to ship), UPS will surprise your buyer with the fee if you send it ground but will include it if you ship one of the faster services:

UPS
http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

FedEx
http://www.fedex.com/ca_english/international/customsservices/index.html


It's not unusual for a First Class Mail package to Canada to take 3 weeks to arrive, if it gets stopped by customs it might take longer.

You need to include a customs form, see here for help printing out a First Class Mail label with the customs form right on it:

~~Shipping Basics~~
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/business-topics/discuss/6382394

There's also info on third party insurance if you need it--USPS doesn't offer insurance for International First Class nor the small flat rate International Prioirty box or envelope.


Most international buyers know it will cost more to ship, take longer to arrive and that their might be taxes due--don't let those things keep you from selling to the rest of the world. :)

[KnitOnDesigns]

Shipping to Canada couldn't be any easier. It's like shipping to any other country. A customs form at the post office. No additional charges.