Canada Post Expedited Shipping Label Ignores Ebay Dimensions Bug
Summary: A discussion among eBay sellers highlights a recurring issue with Canada Post Expedited Shipping labels displaying incorrect dimensions. The original poster, townpost, discovered they were double charged due to a discrepancy between entered dimensions and displayed dimensions, leading to unexpected additional costs. Several participants, including lotzofuniquegoodies, devon@ebay, and brettjet38, contribute theories such as miscalculated weight, dimensional limits, and possible technical errors that need addressing. Others, like teenytrinkets, propose internal errors in the volume measurements used by Canada Post. The discussion emphasizes the need for clearer communication and resolution by eBay, encouraging sellers to verify weights and dimensions meticulously to avoid extra charges.
Something is wrong with the interface between Ebay and Canada Post Expedited Shipping. As a result I was charged twice for shipping and the total cost of shipping was more than I sold the item for. Ebay sent me a friendly email that they will be charging my Credit card for the difference.
I enter the dimensions 20x15x10 (see screenshot)
But the shipping label shows 5x5x5cm
I contacted Ebay yesterday, they said they would get back to me within 24 hours but so far I haven't heard anything back.
hansatrade
·2 years agoIt was like that since the beginning: 5 x 5 x 5 cm. I shipped many of them, never had a problem. However, I always add such an additional label, next to the CP shipping label:
jsgamesandmore
·2 years agoSmart idea, thanks for sharing. I was thinking of the same idea. but glad to hear from experience
jsgamesandmore
·2 years agoThis problem has happened from the start, I'm sending out 30- 40 of these... and 80% are double charged with no help from eBay.. they tell me to message Canada Post. Canada Post doesn't even know what this is. Its double charging for shipping. FIX THE DIMENSIONS OR CALL IT CANADA POST EXPEDITED LITE.
flipistics
·2 years agoWhat is the actual size and weight of the packages you're sending out? Are they poly bags / bubble mailers or boxes?
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years ago@jsgamesandmore
@flipistics
@devon@ebay If sellers are entering the correct measurements and betting that majority are system should AUTOMATICALLY be picking up the information if parcel cubes out over the 200 gram limit and blocking that service (expedited lite) from being an option. The way it is currently running is counter intuitive. Same would go for the calculator in calculated shipping. Over the limit...service gets blocked. Buyer does not receive an invoice for an invalid service and only sees valid shipping options. If the measuremnts changed at final packaging (label creation stage) and suddenly met the requirements service would be available and seller could downgrade.
-Lotz
jsgamesandmore
·2 years ago16.16.12 cm boxes under 200 grams
teenytrinkets
·2 years agoTry to keep package size under 2600 cubic cm to prevent surcharges. I haven't been surcharged since started doing that.
flipistics
·2 years agoAre those the ACTUAL measurements or is that the size the box says on it? Most boxes list the inside dimensions, and those are almost right up against the limits.
pjcdn2005
·2 years agoThank you!
teenytrinkets
·2 years agoI've tested this issue to death since I first reported it over a month ago. Obviously nothing has been done yet, despite it being escalated back then, too.
I've had to keep my expedited lite under 2200 cubic cm in order to not get surcharged.
This is the theory I reported in my thread:
It's not a measuring issue. It's happening to too many people to be simple mistakes by sellers. It's consistently happening to box sizes that are well under the volumetric weight. Someone at CP has made a mistake setting the volumetric weight limitations. My theory based on my packages: it's happening when you go over 2200 cubic cm (not the allowable 3220 cubic cm). I betcha someone punched in a "2" instead of a "3"... sigh
flipistics
·2 years agoI'm curious, what do the charges actually show up as for you? Are they differentiated in some way from other labels?
teenytrinkets
·2 years agolucitabby
·2 years agoI mailed a LITE package on Feb 26 - at the top of the ebay label I printed quite large "eBay Expedited Lite - 2835 cubic cm" and I highlighted it.
It was delivered March 1 and so far, no extra billing - it went from Calgary (scanned & receipt given at postal outlet) to Toronto.
pjcdn2005
·2 years agoDo you know what the exact dimensions of that package was.
@lucitabby
To figure out the cubic measurement were you just adding up the 3 dimensions or doing something else?
I know how to figure out dimensional weight on expedited parcel but not sure if you are going by that or the expedited lite suggestion on the label page.
I'm trying to figure out something and don't want to assume anything. That's why I'm asking.
lucitabby
·2 years agoIt was 24 X 21 X 5 cm
I used this website to calculate
krovisoverseas.com/calculator/cubic-centimeter-calculator
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years agoHandy tool. Thanks for sharing!! 😃
dinomitesales
·2 years agoWait, so this entire post was a result of OP putting the wrong weight?
@townpost - is this true? Was your item over 200g in weight? If so, why did you put 100g?
flipistics
·2 years agoWow, yeah, that'll do it. I just weighed a similar power adapter and it came in around 375g. Add a box, packaging material, etc and 620g sounds about right.
pjcdn2005
·2 years agoWell I'm confused. If a weight over 200 gr is entered on the calculator the expedited lite option would have disappeared. So was the charge was for a different parcel than the the screenshot showed? Or did eBay pass on the incorrect information or ??
flipistics
·2 years agoI assume the op just accidentally hit the wrong key when entering the weight and didn't realize it. At least they have an answer now. There's no way that thing came in anywhere close to 100g if that's the item they're referring to.
brettjet38
·2 years agoAccording to eBay "The extra charge on this seller's account label was due to the weight, not dimensions. The declared weight was 100g, but CPC's measurement was 620g, too heavy for the Lite service."
VERIFY THE WEIGHT OF YOUR ITEMS
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years ago@brettjet38
@townpost
It would be good to know if ALL of these reported situations the seller entered in the incorrect weight? I can't see that being the case considering the number of times this has been reported.
If the software was programmed properly and measurements were entered accurately the system should catch that Expedited Lite is not a valid service and have blocked immediately. Same thing that happens when you choose 2.01 kg for USA tracked. You get an error message and you are told to correct before it will let you create/complete a listing. It shouldn't be overriding CP limits for services. I understand that first if is a biggy!!!
-Lotz
As a side checking this sellers last shown sale, it was for a power supply with Expedited Lite chosen. The item would have definitely been over 200 grams and caused the re-billing. If the seller just gets a charge with no explanation, it does not give them important intel so they can be cautious going forward. These kinds of mistakes are VERY easy to make if someone is rushing to create a listing and doesn't proof.
brettjet38
·2 years agoSome Sellers will try to game the system by putting incorrect weights, just like those that ship to the USA using Letterpost...
I feel that more than a few of these "issues" are Sellers not putting true weight thinking Canada Post will not verify...
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years ago@brettjet38
When this issue first came to light most of the posts were from long time sellers who know how to measure and input parcel details. I had it rear its ugly head on a 12 x 12" calendar in a bubble envelop. The weight was well under the limits but the measurements were causing the warning warning warning warning message. In testing now they have updated and added the following error message if weight is over 200 grams.
System will catch over 200 grams but does not catch over the limit (bulky) measurements. On expedited parcels in Canada when dimensional weight is in play the label shows the dim weight. Not the originally entered actual weight.
-Lotz
pjcdn2005
·2 years agoSystem will catch over 200 grams but does not catch over the limit (bulky) measurements.
I'm not sure what you mean. If you I put measurements larger than the max 3200 expedited lite isn't an option so it does catch over the limit measurements.
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years agoTried a quick test. 200 grams expedited lite is available. Updated to 150 grams and bulky over 3200 and option was still there. Order will get billed the extra charges after seller ships.
Ebay/CP upgrades to standard expedited at level discount.
flipistics
·2 years agoWhat are the exact numbers you tried? Try at least 201 grams and at least 3221 dimensional.
pjcdn2005
·2 years agoYour results are not the same as mine. If the dimensions I enter are more than 3220 the expedited lite disappears. For example when I enter 200 gr. 25x20x8=4000gr the Ex L option disappears. What dimensions did you enter that were over 3220 and the Ex L option was still available?
flipistics
·2 years agoThe 5x5x5 display has been happening since the start. Don't worry about that, it isn't the issue. I think Canada Post and eBay are using it for some type of internal reporting.
Your problem is likely that you are right up against the expedited lite size limits. The volumetric size (LxWxH) of 20x15x10 is 3000 and the cutoff is 3220 for expedited lite. If your actual measurements are off even a tiny bit (especially height, and remember you have to round up) you'd be over the limit and would be charged the full rate price.
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years agoThe 5x5x5 display has been happening since the start. Don't worry about that, it isn't the issue. I think Canada Post and eBay are using it for some type of internal reporting.
Your problem is likely that you are right up against the expedited lite size limits. The volumetric size (LxWxH) of 20x15x10 is 3000 and the cutoff is 3220 for expedited lite. If your actual measurements are off even a tiny bit (especially height, and remember you have to round up) you'd be over the limit and would be charged the full rate price.
@flipistics
IF the seller is typing in the correct accurate measurements into system should do the math at that time and give seller a yay or nay to the parcel and the service. Then the seller would know to upgrade to the next service when necessary. Because the inputted measurements do not display on the printed label it is difficult to know what went off the rails if they get a secondary charge (after the fact) because that charge does not explain what faux pas the seller made so they don't do it again. <insert slap seller fingers here..where applicable>. Extremely important to round up but for transparency the inputted data should display on the label. That is what seller is confirming.
-Lotz
pjcdn2005
·2 years agoWhat was the second amount that you were charged? Was it the exact amount of the label? The label isn't always charged for immediately so it is possible that the funds for the sale were deposited into your account and when the postage charges came in you had no funds on eBay so they charged your credit card.
Your listing shows that you are using expedited lite and when I put in your dimensions into the calculator and then use 5x5x5 the dollar amount is exactly the same for expedited lite. The difference for the regular expedited rate was slightly different but the difference was under a dollar.
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years ago@pjcdn2005
From the get go Expedited lite has been behaving this way. It's been reported in multiple discussions. When the seller goes to create a label they enter the ACTUAL measurements of the parcel. When it prints it defaults to 5 x 5 x 5 cms. Which is not really an actual box size that anyone would use. It would fit in the palm of your hand. Then down the road a week to 10 days later the seller just gets a follow up charge with no explanation other than referencing the original shipment. At that point the seller is unable to charge extra. One and done.
-Lotz
PS. #1 - Approx 6 months and before there were inconsistencies to billing with eBay labels. As of late mine have all processed in 1 to 2 days. Have even had a few I processed on a Saturday that billed on Sunday before being dropped at post office.
PS #2- There is a similar behaviour with the customs form using ebay labels. The seller enters the country of origin. Example USA. When the label prints it prints Province/Country. This is actually targeted more towards manufacturers vs resellers. (Nafta COO) Also been going on for ages. Because this is a legal document the seller is certifying(signing) the information is correct. It no longer is after printing and should never be changed manually. It's a digital form. Even seller added notes are hidden from view and can only be read with a reader.
pjcdn2005
·2 years agoFrom the get go Expedited lite has been behaving this way. It's been reported in multiple discussions. When the seller goes to create a label they enter the ACTUAL measurements of the parcel. When it prints it defaults to 5 x 5 x 5 cms. Which is not really an actual box size that anyone would use. It would fit in the palm of your hand. Then down the road a week to 10 days later the seller just gets a follow up charge with no explanation other than referencing the original shipment. At that point the seller is unable to charge extra. One and done
_________
Yes I realize that at least 2 other posters have reported being charged more after the fact. But that doesn't mean it is related to the smaller dimensions on the label. Canada Post compares the actual size to what we have paid and I'm sure that information is on the bar code or they have access to it via the bar code. If I have paid $8 for a label and that is the correct amount that weight and it fits within the lite parameters, I'm not going to be charged more. In fact I've never been charged more even though my labels do say the incorrect 5x5x5.
As I mentioned earlier I checked the ebay calculator and if I was sending a package the size of the op's actual package, it would cost me the same as if I was sending a 5x5x5 package so the measurements were not why they were charged extra.
As @flipistics mentioned, it is more likely that the parcel's measurements are very close to the maximum for Ex lite so if they were a bit over, the seller would be charged for the difference between Ex lite and Expedited. Or, it's possible that a mistake was made by the machine that measures the packages..perhaps there was a package close by the first one. and they were measured together though that is more probably more unlikely.
Afaik the pricing for Ex lite (unlike Expedited parcel) is based only on weight and distance. A wrong dimension should not affect the price if that's the case UNLESS the size is too big for that service.
@dinomitesales Do you know if expedited lite prices are based just on weight and location rather than dimensional?
dinomitesales
·2 years agoThis was my understanding of how it works, but that was solely based on the information provided by eBay when the service was first announced. I don't believe they outright said "dimensions aren't a factor", rather they just didn't mention dimensions at all, instead just mentioning the 200g weight limit. I (as did others) took that to mean that dimensions were irrelevant for Expedited Lite.
From the get go I actually figured the 5x5x5 thing was intentional - a way for Canada Post's computer systems to differentiate an "Expedited Lite" label from a regular "Expedited Parcel" label (since other than that they are identical and both say "Expedited Parcel" at the top). But who knows - we need an official confirmation from someone at the shipping team that was involved in the negotiations with Canada Post for this service.
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years ago@devon@ebay
Is this being looked into? Super urgent this gets fixed ASAP please!
-Lotz
townpost
OP2 years agoDo you know the proper channel to report a bug like this? I'm a new seller here
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years ago@townpost
@devon@ebay
This issue has been reported for a number of months. Here is one of the current discussions on the topic. See post 31 for what "could" be going on.
https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Seller-Central/Expedited-Lite-Label-Size-Discrepancy-Charged-Full-Expedited/m-p/504290#M151115
The board to report this to would be here:
https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Community-eBay-Site-Issues/bd-p/Issues
-Lotz
devon@ebay
Hi @lotzofuniquegoodies! I am having this escalated now and will hopefully have some insight to report back with soon.
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years ago@devon@ebay Thanks. Appreciated. There seems to be a steady stream on both sites for sellers being re-charged when using eBay Labels. Majority focused on CP and Fedex. Both having to do with cubed weight not applied correctly either when applicable or accurately.
-Lotz
devon@ebay
Hi @lotzofuniquegoodies! I was able to hear back and this is what I was told from the product team:
"The extra charge on this seller's account label was due to the weight, not dimensions. The declared weight was 100g, but CPC's measurement was 620g, too heavy for the Lite service."
lotzofuniquegoodies
·2 years ago@townpost
@devon@ebay going forward will any secondary charges include an explanation? Would be very helpful.
-Lotz