global shipping - a positive experience

[m.sou]

here to report that other than the high cost of shipping through global shipping, i've had quite the positive experience. the item i wanted, i was not able to find in canada and even with shipping and fees, it was a tiny bit cheaper than buying in canada (if available)

seller shipped last monday via fedex to erlanger, erlanger released the package this monday and my package is set to arrive today. a week and a half from wisconsin to toronto ain't bad at all! ariving a day earlier than the eta provided by eBay

maybe i just got lucky 🙂

1. Aug 25, 2021

   3:00pm PDT
   Out for Delivery

   TORONTO, ON M8V0A1
2. Aug 23, 2021

   5:20pm PDT
   Shipped from the Global Shipping Center to International Destination

   Erlanger, Kentucky 41025-2501
3. Aug 20, 2021

   6:59pm PDT
   Arrived at the Global Shipping Center - Delivered

   Erlanger, KY 41018
4. Aug 20, 2021

   6:41pm PDT
   Customs Documentation and Labeling

   Erlanger, Kentucky 41025-2501
5. Aug 20, 2021

   6:28pm PDT
   Processing at the Global Shipping Center

   Erlanger, Kentucky 41025-2501
6. Aug 20, 2021

   1:34pm PDT
   In Transit - Arrived at FedEx location

   INDEPENDENCE, KY 41051
7. Aug 20, 2021

   1:33am PDT
   In Transit - Departed FedEx location

   GREENWOOD, IN 46143
8. Aug 19, 2021

   8:42pm PDT
   In Transit - Arrived at FedEx location

   GREENWOOD, IN 46143
9. Aug 19, 2021

   4:23pm PDT
   In Transit - In transit

   PITTSBORO, IN 46167
10. Aug 19, 2021

    4:20am PDT
    In Transit - In transit

    ROCK PORT, MO 64482
11. Aug 18, 2021

    4:15pm PDT
    In Transit - In transit

    POTTER, NE 69156
12. Aug 18, 2021

    4:06am PDT
    In Transit - Departed FedEx location

    NORTH SALT LAKE, UT 84054
13. Aug 17, 2021

    10:38am PDT
    In Transit - Arrived at FedEx location

    NORTH SALT LAKE, UT 84054
14. Aug 17, 2021

    2:16am PDT
    In Transit - Left FedEx origin facility

    BOISE, ID 83716
15. Aug 16, 2021

    10:55pm PDT
    In Transit - Arrived at FedEx location

    BOISE, ID 83716
16. Aug 16, 2021

    8:20pm PDT
    In Transit - Picked up

    BOISE, ID 83716
17. Aug 16, 2021

    5:32pm PDT
    Tracking Details Uploaded

     
18. Aug 16, 2021

    6:55pm PDT
    Tracking Details Uploaded - Shipment information sent to FedEx

    83704
19. Aug 16, 2021

    1:32pm
    Tracking number provided

[aramatic]

"...other than the high cost of shipping..." For me, "other than" is pretty important. Glad you got your item quickly, which is exceptional.

[m.sou]

in the end, i still saved $200 even after paying import charges and shipping costs and got what i really wanted in the end

i'm not sure how import charges are calculated but i got charged just a little more than what i would have paid in HST in ON.  HST on my item would have been ~$153 and i was charged $164

[femmefan1946]

Duty on US goods is due when the value of the item is over $150 and sales taxes when the value is over $40.

[marnotom!]

Most people don't post to these discussion boards when things go well.  The boards are sort of the "complaint department" of eBay.  There are probably loads of GSP shipments that have gone well enough for the buyer's liking.

Just out of curiosity, how much in shipping were you charged, and how much of that was the seller's charge and how much of it was the GSP's charge?  How would you say it would have compared to using the postal system or a courier?

It's wise that you're taking a "big picture" view of the overall cost, though.  When buying online, it's good to look at the overall cost of a purchase rather than get too fussed over one particular component.

[3uthyphro]

Ebay's shipping policies are ridiculous. They charge customs on so many items that do not require customs fees. 

[marnotom!]

---

@3uthyphro wrote:

Ebay's shipping policies are ridiculous. They charge customs on so many items that do not require customs fees. 

---

I doubt that's the case.  Tax/duty-free limits have changed a bit since you first posted about this eight years ago, but the crux is the same.  For items originating from the United States:

Items with a value of over $C40 have an estimate for GST/HST calculated by the GSP bot.

Items with a value of over C$150 have an estimate for duty (if applicable) calculated by the GSP bot.

Then there's a processing charge of around US$4-5 dollars charged by Pitney Bowes.

The tax and duty calculations are based on CUSMA guidelines for purchases transported by courier:

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/courier/lvs-efv/prsn-eng.html

If you have an example of a listing where you don't feel those calculations apply, I'd love to see it.