Expedited Lite for Canadian Sellers using eBay Labels
Summary: A discussion among eBay sellers focuses on Canada Post's new "Expedited Lite" shipping service available exclusively through eBay Labels. lotzofuniquegoodies shares the initial excitement, elaborating on the service's specifications for lightweight items. Participants express both enthusiasm and concern over its limitations and selective availability. Some sellers, like dinomitesales, find it useful for specific transactions, while others express frustration over category exclusions and the perceived limitations. ilikehockeyjerseys highlights cost concerns related to fuel surcharges affecting the service's advantages. The thread also touches upon the need for clarity and promotion from eBay and Canada Post to maximize its potential for broader categories and items. Overall, sellers view the service as potentially beneficial but limited by its specific application and pricing structure, with calls for a more inclusive expansion.
This just showed up hot off the presses.
Only available on eBay Labels: Ship small. Save big.
Package specifications
Ship with an envelope or a small parcel that meets the following criteria:
Weighs no more than 200 grams
No one dimension exceeds 41 cm (16.1”)
Maximum volume (L x W x H) of up to 3,220 cubic centimeters
YAYYYYYY!!!!!
-Lotz
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agoCrazy. Wasted 2 weeks testing and being invisible. Ebay should adjust their rule because they clearly states it's for specific categories. A lot probably don't know they can use it because of that.
The critical thing is to add before filling in the weight. eBay hides services (at times) if the weight is pre-filled.
Not sure to fully understand here. I'm personally using 'standard shipping' and free. Will i be able to select the service after order is placed when i purchase label? That's how i work and how my whole store is set.
msau4301
·3 years agoI use calculated shipping but I would think (hope) it should work the same way.
When you choose "Purchase Label" from eBay here the page should still bring you to same one I see where the item info and size/weight is there (you can change it if needed) and the shipping options are usually listed from lowest price to highest price, just make sure the "Expedited Lite" is the one chosen (if size/weight qualifies it should be first since it's the cheapest). I had to adjust one of mine because buyer chose two items and it did 2X the weight/size which put it over (it didn't actually go over because the packaging did not double) and it allowed me to put in the correct combined info. But like I mentioned I use calculated, so I hope "standard" will apply. If it is within the weight and size I think it will. Let us know if it works!
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP2 years agoAs an FYI for anyone who creates listing using the app Expedited Lite in Canada it is now available. In the past it was only on the PC version and will work with all listings that meet the weigh/size limit criteria. You would need to use your better judgement for shipments going to the great white north to know it would be the best value or not. It may be cheaper to use the new small prepaid box option.
-Lotz
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@rocketscollectibles
What I meant by that statement is when creating a listing you leave entering parcel measurements prior to choosing services you want to use. This issue was noted a few months ago. Expedited USA would be routinely missing.) If you fill in the measurements first, possible options do not display. Hope I've clarified.
-Lotz
pjcdn2005
·3 years agoYes you can still use expedited lite even if you are not using calculated shipping.
Lotz is referring to a glitz on the listing page when using calculated shipping.
hansatrade
·3 years agoI do not use calculated shipping, and I sell exclisively on Ebay.com (and not in the "collectibles" at all). Still, I can use the expedited lite - already printed 10 labels, or so. For larger or longer parcels I use ChitChats Flex, which is still considerably cheaper than 4-level CPC.
toronto_tuttle
·2 years ago@hansatrade
Do you use ChitChats solely for shipping to U.S.? You say it's cheaper than Canada Post?
And what about shipping domestically within Canada, is ChitChats cheaper than Canada Post?
Are they cheaper than Canada Post for International destinations?
(Yes, I know I can read their web site - I've already looked there. I just thought that since you use them and have done price comparisons, you'd be an ideal person to ask.)
recped
·2 years agoI'm using Stallion Express for Canadian packages, their lowest cost Canadian service is an excellent service (they do not service remote or obscure rutral locations), cheaper and faster than CP Expedited (usually by a lot).
Recent shipment, 465g to Medicine Hat from Toronto, $11.41, delivered in 3 days, the same package to Montreal would be about $9 with 2 day delivery.
They offer all the same US services that ChitChats offered, usually for slightly lower cost. I also use them for all my Overseas packages either via APC or PostNL.
https://ship.stallionexpress.ca/register/i1oZkN
Stallion has a couple of drop off locations in the "downtown" area.
toronto_tuttle
·2 years agoWhat does "via APC or PostNL" mean? You don't send just via Stallion Express?
It's unfortunate that they don't have any drop off locations in downtown Toronto, just east end, west end and uptown/midtown, nothing in downtown core.
Do you offer free shipping to eBay buyers? If not, how do you know what to charge? I just started using eBay's Calculated Shipping, so that as long as I input the right weight and dimensions, the buyer should automatically be charged the right shipping cost for the option he/she chooses.
recped
·2 years agoAPC is a US consolidator that interfaces with USPS services ISAL and IPA.
PostNL is the Dutch Postal Service.
These are the two carriers Stallion is currently using for International (well they also offer expensive FedEx and UPS).
I always charged for shipping, Overseas includes a healthy handling charge, the rates vary a lot from country to country (eg: Australian is almost double what the UK is), I work on average costs when setting overseas rates in my listings. I do not lose money even when including eBay fees and packaging expenses and my rates are lower than what my US competitors can offer if they are using USPS or eBay's own EIS service.
These days it's pretty much break even at best on what I can charge US Buyers given the increasing domestic USPS rates and the sad state of the CA$.
I was dropping off at the mid-town location, initially driving from the west end and then via TTC/subway (senior fare within the two hour limit, cheaper and faster than driving plus I get some exercise). Since they opened the Landsdown/Bloor drop off I drive because it's only 5 - 10 minutes for me. I have 5 day handling so I usually go every 3 or 4 days depending on sales.
hansatrade
·2 years agoIt's cheaper. Most of my packages are 250g - CP charges 11, while ChitChats charges 7.50-8.00. To Canada - nothing is cheaper than new Ebay Lite, but for larger items (+200g) still ChitChats is cheaper. They cooperate with Intelcom, which is at half of CP price, or even less. International, ChitChats is always cheaper for tracked services (but not a lot). For example, today I shipped a package to Italy. Weight - 500 g, paid 29 with Ebay (tracked Packet), Chitchats offered the same for 25. I finally used Ebay/CP because the item was rather expensive (+200). I had some busy days before Xmas, when shipping with ChitChats allowed me to save 140 dollars DAILY on shipping charges.
toronto_tuttle
·2 years agoFor the package to Italy, why did you use Canada Post (bought via eBay Shipping Labels) rather than cheaper ChitChats?
When using a shipper other than what eBay's Shipping Labels supports (I think supports just Canada Post and FedEx), are you able to enter ChitChats tracking number into eBay for the item, so that eBay will show the item as shipped and will mark it as delivered when the tracking shows that?
I'm not a store. I have maybe a few dozen items to sell and I don't want to overspend on shipping. I also want tracking, so that I will have proof of delivery in case of any buyer dispute. I like that eBay's Calculated Shipping option and its Shipping Labels buy function makes it simple. But, eBay's labels may not be the cheapest, and even when FedEx looks cheap, after delivery you can be hit with additional charges from FedEx (as happened to me last week).
ilikehockeyjerseys
·2 years agoWhen you set up a Chit Chats account, you can link it to your eBay store. It works in a similar way to eBay's label tool. You import the orders to Chit Chats and the information related to the order is already added. You do not need to input any information other than the package dimensions.
When you send something with Chit Chats you get two different tracking numbers. You get both a Chit Chats tracking number and a Canada Post or USPS tracking number.
If I recall, the Canada Post or USPS tracking number sometimes does not update properly until the package is in the hands of the actual carrier. I have not used Chit Chats for Canada Post in a while.
You can set up Chit Chats so that it adds the tracking number automatically to the transaction when you print the label. For USPS, I usually prefer to put the USPS tracking number because it is what US buyers are used to. It doesn't always give accurate information for the first day or two, but once the item crosses into the US it is the exact same as USPS.
Chit Chats also has different services that use alternate carriers instead of Canada Post like the ones already mentioned in this thread.
Keep in mind, you can send lettermail with tracking as well. It costs $9.75 on top of the lettermail rate. If you don't want the hassle of going to the post office, you can order pre-made Registered Mail stickers that each have a unique tracking number. All you have to do is stick these to a lettermail package and include the postage in the form of stamps (which is a lot of stamps), and you can drop it in a regular mail box. While this used to be very useful for sending smaller items nationally with tracking, since most items that qualify for lettermail will be under 200g, you will probably find that Expedited Lite is cheaper.
hansatrade
·2 years agoBoth had tracking, but Canada Post offers return, which works really well in case something goes wrong. Because the item was expensive (around 240 dol), additional 4 dollars did not make a real difference.
Concerning the tracking - after you connect your Ebay account to ChitChats, tracking uploads autimatically.
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agoI had 2 video games to sell and tried to exploit the system by listing them in the trading card category. Just wanted to share that this is not really possible... You indeed can list items in wrong categories, the problem is that the search engine is made to automatically check the most accurate category for the search. In other words, if you search a game with its title, the video game category will be automatically checked. Making your listing invisible... Unless the person uncheck the category that the search engine automatically check. Which nobody will do. Clearly on purpose from ebay. Noticed that after 2 weeks listed without a single view on a game with demand and fairly priced.
As a trading cards seller i'm very happy with expedited lite. Even in buyer shoes i can get better deals now because most sellers now ask $7 instead of $22 shipping. But not being able to use it for other items that fits lettermail is very frustrating, this cannot be justified. We're getting robbed. If i was a seller selling mainly small items meeting criterias, but not eligible, i would freak out. Canada post must wake up. Sales are slower because of their excessive rates, it's bad for everyone.
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@rocketscollectibles
You can add expedited lite service on any item as long as it is under the 200 grams. The critical thing is to add before filling in the weight. eBay hides services (at times) if the weight is pre-filled.
-Lotz
msau4301
·3 years agoAs lotz has said any item under 200 grams and within size criteria can be sent this way. You don't need to try to change your category to try and fool the system. I've sold Barbie clothes, listed in doll clothing category and it allows me to post it, ship it, no problem (and they've been delivered, I've been billed). And it's in the category I want my buyers to find me!
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agoAny news about CP offering the service outside eBay? Started doing private transactions and it feels dumb from CP to charge $16-24 for the same service that is offered at $6-8 on eBay. Same size same package same distance, but charge 200-300%. There's some robbery here
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agoWhat about returns? Actually the shipping service is only available on eBay. Does it means that we can ship for $6-8, but a return label of the same distance for the same package would still have to be expedited and cost $16-24? Lack of logic here. It doesnt cost them more to deliver back.
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@rocketscollectibles
@dinomitesales
@devon@ebay
In practice if an item is either refused or undeliverable it should be returned under the same account (either the eBay Labels account or sellers CP account) using the same rating. A wrench gets thrown into that when different countries are involved.
If the item is opened then there are 2 possible routes to go. Sending a label when that option is available or have the customer purchase postage at their end (within reason/using common sense for choosing a service/NOT packing in a larger box ) and then re-imbursing where applicable. Unfortunately the ball kind of got dropped with this part of the process. Between communication and nothing in place within eBay if the rate ends up being more than the original charge for exchanging funds. Seller is left to a hope and a prayer that this all happens properly and they don't end up with a surprise bill and a major loss on the whole deal. Similar to where a order is refunded for late and then arrives the next day.
-Lotz
Note: From past experience with a Canadian RTS counter rates were used for the return postage charge (Always a slight variance to the original charge). Since the change at CP several months ago counter discounted and SSB account should match.
dinomitesales
·3 years agoI've never had a return for a domestic item that necessitated me sending a return shipping label, so honestly I have no idea how a return would work with Expedited Lite.
If a buyer opens a return request for a domestic item, will eBay provide them with a Canada Post shipping label? That's how it works in the States, doesn't it? If so, theoretically, eBay could issue them an Expedited Lite label to have it returned (but no idea how that would actually work in practice).
If the buyer simply refused the item and it was returned to you via "Return to Sender" methods, then you would almost certainly be charged the counter rates for the return postage.
daisydaisy999
·3 years agoUsed it today for the first time for a patch - it was very easy but I did make a stupid mistake. When I was looking at the rates I forgot that it would be the before tax and gas surcharge amount so I put a flat rate of what the most expensive shipping location should have been at $6. Of course it ended up going to the most expensive location BC and cost almost $9 - so after the extra shipping and fees I would have been better off going with untracked mail but I figured this was a good experiment anyhow 🙂
flipistics
·3 years agoAlso keep in mind if you have a set shipping discount in your settings, it applies to both regular packages and expedited lite. You could off-set that by adding a handling charge for expedited lite if you wanted to, or simply mark the item up slightly and stick with the cheaper shipping.
We really, really need the option of showing the level 4 discounted amounts to buyers.
daisydaisy999
·3 years agogood point! I don't sell many things that this lite rate would apply to so I just directly changed a couple of listings to offer this service as an experiment but should I get a glut of light stuff I will definately keep that in mind, thanks!
daisydaisy999
·3 years agoJust an entertaining (?) update on my foray into Expedited Lite! I sent my package on the 28th going from Toronto to BC - according to ebay estimation the customer should have received it by June 9 - of course they haven't.
According to tracking today on June 14, the package made it to Edmonton on June 2 and there is no further update beyond that. If you go to CP tracking it does say it is still in transit, doesn't say where but does say it is expected to show up by June 19th. According to the CP website the delivery standard is June 16th which just seems crazy pants to me - it has never taken that long to send something from Toronto to BC, I mean it takes a bit longer then other places but not 16 business days for heaven's sake!
Luckily the customer hasn't complained yet but he would be well within his rights considering that eBay told him to expect it on the 9th. What I would like to know is where is eBay getting that date from, this is going to be a problem if this is a consistent problem... at this point I feel like I would have been better off just sending it lettermail, they would have it by now! On the plus side it looks like I will be getting my money back from Canada Post for not meeting the delivery standard...
flipistics
·3 years agoPlease let us know how that goes. I don't think you can do it through Canada Post directly. I suspect it has to be done through eBay. There's several of us here that are very curious to find out what actually happens in this scenario.
daisydaisy999
·3 years agooh interesting, I hadn't thought about that - but really eBay is the shipping broker not the sender so I think I should be able to still claim directly using the form for a postage refund (fingers crossed) - if it has to go through eBay I will probably just forget it, I can imagine what kind of nightmare that would be!
msau4301
·3 years agolucitabby has a very good point, the delay could be because of the wildfires and eBay did have a seller protection article posted. Here is part of it:
Wildfires and the ensuing air quality concerns have impacted shipments into and out of several communities across Canada. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide eBay sellers with additional support and protection of seller ratings during this time.
As a seller, you do not need to worry about service disruptions caused by these events impacting your seller rating. If your business is impacted, eBay will automatically protect your seller performance rating, including:
Additionally, we will remove any neutral or negative feedback left for impacted transactions, as well as Service Metric ratings associated with Item not Received requests.
You do not need to contact Customer Service in order to receive these protections.
daisydaisy999
·3 years agoSo good news and bad news: good news is I filed for a postage refund directly through Canada Post and they accepted it - I have always wondered though why they only return the postage and not the tax - if I returned an item to the store I would get my tax back so shouldn't I get it back from a service that wasn't completed...? Anyhow there does not seem to be any issue with filing for the refund yourself even though it was bought through eBay! Bad news is they seen to have entirely lost the package or possibly delivered it without scanning it since I haven't gotten any complaints from the customer.
And I don't think I entirely understand how Expedited Lite is calculated - none of the descriptions of it are clear enough for my liking. From what I can gather is as long as it is under a certain weight and none of the measurements are over a certain length then it is good to go. I was thinking of it as oversized letter mail where something can't be over a certain weight and can't be thicker then 20mm so it fits through that slot thing - but I don't think Lite is the same thing... can anyone clarify it for me?
reallynicestamps
·3 years agoObviously the shipment was late , but for my own clarity, was the June9th date the first or last expected delivery date?
From what I can gather is as long as it is under a certain weight and none of the measurements are over a certain length then it is good to go.
Or like the Prepaid boxes. If it fits, it ships.
daisydaisy999
·3 years agoJune 9th was the date that eBay gave as the expected delivery date, June 16th is what Canada Post gave as the expected delivery date, then the 19th and now nowhere to be found... 🙂
ricarmic
·3 years agoFor the over the counter (aka stamps on the box) kinda folks its 15% off* if under 100g and 10% off* if under 250g including volumetric if larger where volumetric is LxWxH in CM divided by 5000. (I don't know the maximum dimensions off the top of my head, we never hit them with my offerings)
*off the 500g price.
flipistics
·3 years agoDid Canada Post refund you directly though, or is the refund going to eBay's account?
For expedited lite it seems that almost anything under 200g should be fine. There is a size limit also, but unless you're shipping something like plush in a poly bag (or maybe a hat?) it's unlikely you'll hit the size issue before you run into the weight limit. I think size starts becoming too large at an 8x6x4 box or 6x6x6 box, which weigh a pretty good chunk of 200g on their own anyway. eBay has said that it's only for items in the collectible category, but the shipping options seem to be available everywhere as far as I can tell. Who knows if that will be the case permanently or not.
daisydaisy999
·3 years agothe message I got back said Canada Post will send me a cheque - no mention of eBay at all...
recped
·3 years agoI would guess that they do not refund the tax because it's a commercial transaction where you would have or could have used the tax amount as a refundable ITC on your GST/HST return.
Returning an item to a retail store is a personal transaction, unlikely that an ITC would be available/usable to the average consumer.
lucitabby
·3 years agoThere are a lot of wild fires around the Edmonton area.
pjcdn2005
·3 years agoI'm in Edmonton a couple times a week and though the air is hazy and smoky at times, I don't think that it is bad enough to affect the mail unless it's headed for some of the commmunties closer to the fires. I don't think it would affect mail to Ontario.
avidhiker-33
·3 years agoHas anyone been able to print an Expedited Lite label directly on a 4X6" Avery Label?
When I tried to print my first Expedited Lite label May 19th it seemed to be formatted to print horizontally on an 8.5X11" sheet of paper. Only part of the label printed when I did a test print to a 4X6" card.
My workaround -- a screenshot modified with photo editing software -- printed perfectly on a 4X6" Avery label. However that's a PITA -- even for the few times I'm likely to use Expedited Lite vs. oversized lettermail.
Appreciate any advice.
flipistics
·3 years agoThere's an option on the screen to choose your output format. Change it from 8.5x11 to 4x6.
avidhiker-33
·3 years agoThanks @flipistics . Did not notice that option when printing the label -- will look for it next time.
hansatrade
·3 years agoI used my "lite" for the first time today. The price difference was massive (10 vs 22 dollars with Shippo / 20 with ChitChats!).
What I did not like, the dimensions on the label are wrong (5 x 5 x 5 cm), while I put (verified many times) 39 x 9 x 9 / 195 g. Anyone encountered the same problem? I will post the item today - I wonder if it will pass .....
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@hansatrade
See post 59. For some reason there seems to be a default measurement built into the system. I got the same 5 x 5 x 5 when I processed my first Expedited shipment. Charge was processed in 3 days and was delivered in routine Expedited time.
https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Seller-Central/Expedited-Lite-for-Canadian-Sellers-using-eBay-Labels/td-p/494119/page/3
-Lotz
-Lotz
flipistics
·3 years agoYeah, they all do that for some reason. Nothing to worry about.
Also, wow! You really just barely squeezed whatever that was under all the limits. Just a hair under the length, cubic volume, and weight.
intimewithmusic
·3 years agoNearly 2000 comments...
Absolutely no one, not you, not you, and not you are concerned about this except for cheap shipping.
If you sell a stamp... even the postal stamp sellers are "crickets" on this. Is this OK?
I can't believe you stamp and coin folk have nothing to say about the rest of Canadian sellers being excluded from Canada Post "Expedited Lite" because ebay "partnered" with Canada Post. why do you sell stamps or did you forget?
... I restored BCs 1st postmaster's house in New Westminster on 6th Ave from a brothel. Myself. I may not know the stamp business but I have an idea about the Canadian connection.
All for one.
So you care if Canada Post "partners" (can someone please tell me what that even means?) with eBay ?
Do you care Canada Post will not offer Expedited Lite prices to churches, charities, immigrants and children sending Mother's Day gifts across our country?
Exclusive service isn't something Canada Post represents.
Happy Mother's Day.
intimewithmusic
·3 years agoHi, @lotzofuniquegoodies and Happy Sellers!
I'm Giving In ;> Sales have been very slow. It's going around. Expedited Lite, along with the Ebay Academy, has been implemented to attract new sellers and increase eBay and Canada Post's revenues. EBay is targetting the sales of stamps, coins, comics, and trading cards etc . There's nothing wrong with that. I don't agree with the limitations but it doesn't matter. We won't see the program changed, at least not in the short term and none of us are getting any younger...
I'd like to qualify for Top Seller status. That's never been possible because domestic Expedited is too expensive compared to TP USA. That being said I'd like to sell something. I'm a senior. I need dental work. My expertise and joy is in the field of music. Folks complement my store all the time but I'd like to sell more. Did I mention the dental work?
I can't wait around for Canada Post to raise the threshold to publication & media weights. I can't wait for eBay to open up categories. After a night of problem solving I'm jumping on the eBay band wagon and listing coins, stamps, and comics. Maybe some bakelite too as I bought some Semichrome polish. Maybe Expedited Lite can be a blessing after all.
I always say, "If you can't beat 'em (drums)... coin 'em." That's my stamp and I'm stickin' to it!
See you in the trenches
ITWCSC&B
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years agoReceived a ebay gmail message today regarding eBay Lite and adding to my selling policies. It's more of picking and choosing when it is the best option to use vs a policy. I realize rates will vary based on ship to location but to show the examples without fuel and tax does downplay the actual cost to use this service. Adding 15% as an example plus a floating fuel surcharge is definitely not chicken feed.
-Lotz
Toronto to Toronto $4.96
•
Toronto to Montreal $5.58
•
Toronto to Halifax $5.69
•
Toronto to Vancouver $5.81
•
Toronto to Yellowknife $5.85
*These are base rates. Fuel surcharges and taxes may apply.
You can also now change your business policies to offer Expedited Lite for Collectibles as a service through eBay calculated shipping.
intimewithmusic
·3 years agoNearly 2000 views in just a few days... OMG
Certainly a feeding frenzy with respect to CPEL.
Let us all know how it's going so far...
Are you getting rich from those 140 gram widgets ?
intimewithmusic
·3 years agoTo address a few posted questions:
Expedited Lite seems to be availble now through Business Policies
The business policy I set up will attach to everything I sell. (Photo) It's possible to change all listings globally with a few clicks. Unfortunately nothing I sell is below 140 grams plus 60 grams packaging except a few items that don't sell in Canada.
Unless you attach the policy to items one at a time it's up to eBay to filter out any categories or dimensions that don,t qualify at the moment the item is sold and the label goes to print.
Could this be headed for a triple size glichalooza? ;>} I'm posting my business policy for those interested but I'm not using it until the effect on combined shipping and category/overweight filtering has proven to function.
Still Skeptical
*I find it hard to believe eBay can pay/collaborate/manipulate the postal service into "exclusivity". Call it whatever you want but others should be involved in designing a postal service.
*I have a tough time with the limiting of content of postal items being mandated by a 3rd party. What goes in Canada's packages should be up to Canada Post not private business.
This has become a huge rumour mill. A previous poster stated eBay PAID Canada Post a huge sum of money to provide the service. I don't believe that has happened here. I hope not. In my industry (music) we call that "Payola". The term was coined when record companies paid disk jockeys to play their songs. We need to get the facts from Canada Post & eBay.
Why am I concerned when none of my items fit the criteria?
Unless the weight threshold was bumped up to at least 350 grams, it's a bust for me. I'm concerned because of the two points above and, if this is going to be a bonafide CP service I want CP to know their?/eBays? 200 gram threshold excludes too many businesses.
Who set the threshold and why?
To be sure Canada needs a new postal service like this. Given our growing population I think we're ready for it. That said Canada Post should provide it to all Canadians, all moms and pops, kids and Grannies, schools and charities and you and me. ALL Canadian businesses are struggling with shipping costs and those are the ones who built Canada Post in the first place.
Something about "Only available on eBay Labels" from the release I read yesterday doesn't sit right. I hope when I wake up tomorrow someone from Canada Post will post the facts and there will be a great new service announced for all Canadians and businesses.
eBay Businerss Policy attached:
recped
·3 years agoI'd speculate that "only available from eBay" actually means "not available at Canada Post retail outlets".
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years agoFor anyone who hadn't spotted the update announcement
Is this service subject to cubing charges?
As long as the actual package dimensions are within the specifications outlined, cubing charges do not apply. Full FAQ below.
Ship with an envelope or a small parcel that meets the following criteria:
Weighs no more than 200 grams
No one dimension exceeds 41 cm (16.1”)
Maximum volume (L x W x H) of up to 3,220 cubic centimeters
https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Seller-Central/FAQ-s-for-Canada-Post-Expedited-Lite-for-Collectibles/m-p/494582#M145640
flipistics
·3 years agoI had my first one today too. 11x11x12cm, 88g from rural Ontario to Nova Scotia. Cost was 8.31. The label showed 5x5x5. No issues with having it scanned in at the PO.
BTW, the shipping discount I have set in my preferences was applied to this as well (meaning I ate about $2).
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@flipistics
11 x 11 x 12 would make it either 1452 cubic cm or .290 grams if you use the CP calculation. The 5 x 5 x 5 cm automagic display is bizarre. On the eBay labels page it displays as Expedited Lite. On the label for my order it showed Expedited. What did yours show? Unless that is eBay's way to disguise it as an eBay only service.
Have you figured out and easy painless method of adding Expedited Lite to any listings that it would be applicable to. Bulk edit always makes me nervous.
-Lotz
CP:
flipistics
·3 years ago@lotzofuniquegoodies Mine showed just regular Expedited on the label as well. It showed the actual weight rather than volumetric, which is probably the reason for it displaying 5x5x5.
Most of my listings don't qualify for it, so I just went through and tried to pick out the ones that did. I guess most of my media store would qualify, but there's really no reason to offer it over lettermail in that store.
ypdc_dennis
·3 years agoThis new service is a reworking of something Canada Post was testing back in 2017.
https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Seller-Central/Proof-of-Concept-New-Lightweight-Parcel-Product/td-p/379622
...
ebay is probably acting as test bed for the new service.
I decided to become a beta tester with a sale yesterday. It's a movie that can be collected, but is not in an ebay "collectible" category, but since the shipping choice showed, I figured why not.
For an Ontario to Alberta shipment, 150g, 21x17x2cm
Comparing my possible choices (from low to high):
(1) Oversize lettermail, 3.19 plus 13% HST or $3.60 at the PO counter. But since I use discounted stamps my cost would have been closer to $2.50 for this method. No tracking or insurance.
(2) Expedited Lite, ebay label lump sum of $7.53 (I assume 5% GST is included) -- scanned without issues at the PO counter, and shows on the Canada Post website. Actual size values I entered do not appear on the label, instead 5x5x5cm is shown. Bug or feature? The help file indicates that dimensional weight is not used for this service, so perhaps intentional. Has tracking, has option ($) to add signature, includes up to $100 of insurance.
(3) Registered Lettermail, 3.19 plus 9.75 plus 13% HST or $14.62 at the PO counter. But since I use discounted stamps my cost would be closer to $10.00 for this method. Includes signature, tracking, and up to $100 insurance. Very fast delivery (except when the buyer has to pick up at their post office).
(4a) Expedited Parcel, with my level 1 discount is $19.69 (with 5% GST) -- but since I use discounted stamps my cost would be closer to $14.50 for this method. Tracked, up to $100 insurance included with option to buy more, signature extra.
(4b) Expedited Parcel, with ebay's level 4 discount shows as $16.94 (with 5% GST) -- tracked, up to $100 insurance included, signature extra.
...
I can see myself using the new service if it expands beyond "collectible" -- in particular for light weight items that are thicker than the 2cm lettermail limit.
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@ypdc_dennis
@dinomitesales
Thanks for sharing. Guess that test got put on the backburner until now after all the recent complaints sellers have been making about a lack of somewhat economical options for Candians. Too bad it took 6 years to come up with a partial something and taking into consideration Light Packet Air US/Intl was poofed during that time for non domestic shipping.
-Lotz
-Lotz
dinomitesales
·3 years agoI agree with you; I was going to make a similar comment, but I'll just piggyback off of yours.
Thanks for linking to that post of mine from six (!) years ago - jeez, I can't believe how fast time flies. For what it's worth, that announcement in 2017 was the last time Canada Post ever communicated the existence of a low-cost domestic service with post offices (Authorized Dealer post offices, anyway).
But that means that they've been working and tweaking this lower-cost service for a long time. I also suspect that this is a test for an eventual national roll-out of a low-cost light-weight domestic service. Canada Post will probably keep tabs on usage and how much money they're making/losing, and then use those numbers to calculate final rates when it's eventually made available at retail. Testing things like this is nothing new for Canada Post - remember that they tested the flat rate boxes for years in select post offices before rolling them out nationally.
To anyone saying something along the lines of "it's not fair this service is only available to eBay sellers and not all Canadians": give me a break. Canada Post and eBay are both for-profit businesses. This is a business decision that benefits both companies. There are many Canadian companies that have volume discount agreements with Canada Post that far exceed anything any of us will ever see; just because Amazon pays pennies on the dollar for postage costs doesn't mean the mom & pop shop should be eligible for these discounts as well.
intimewithmusic
·3 years agodinomitesales
·3 years agoWhile not employed by CPC I have worked at an authorized dealer post office for nearly a decade now where we get all the direct communications/announcements from Canada Post. You are correct that there has been no mention of this 'Expedited Lite' service anywhere but on eBay, nothing has been communicated to post offices (yet, anyway). I don't know what the 'topic' is that would be 'swelling' in the USA with regards to Canada Post, but it's fairly clear why others are excluded (at the moment anyway): this was an agreement between Canada Post and eBay Canada. If other businesses, organizations, and Canadians would like to have immediate access to a similar service then I'm sure they're welcome to negotiate terms with Canada Post as well, however I doubt their volume (or lack thereof, rather) would get them very far.
Taxpayers aren't going to be on the hook for anything, unless something absolutely catastrophic happens to Canada Post. They've lost money before and have operated at a deficit in the past. I don't follow you're logic that just because a company has been around for over a century doesn't mean they have to test new products/services. As I said in my previous post, by allowing a finite number of users access to this service they are introducing a limited number of 'Expedited Lite' parcels into the mail stream from all points in Canada. After a while they can run the numbers to see if they're losing money on these parcels, and if so, how much they need to increase the rate to make it viable, while also scaling it up. Or maybe they'll realize that the prices were more than enough, and can then either decrease the rates (or increase the weight threshold) to make the service even more attractive. This is just standard business practice.
Even if it's not immediately profitable it benefits Canada Post because it's giving them important data that can help them properly price the service to make it a viable option for a national rollout (if that is their eventual intention); it benefits eBay by allowing their sellers to offer a more cost-effective shipping option, potentially leading to increased sales and revenue for the company. Companies like Shippo are more than welcome to approach Canada Post for a similar deal or access to 'Expedited Lite' service themselves. The Canadian market is just a small portion of Shippo's business so I doubt they even really cared, but maybe now that eBay is taking some of their business away they might look into it. Who knows.
As you've indicated, this service isn't going to beneficial for everyone. They could increase the threshold to 300 g and people would still complain it wasn't enough. If it doesn't work for the things you sold, then oh well, business as usual. If your sales were viable before 'Expedited Lite' then they will still be viable - nothing else has changed. Personally, I am unlikely to use the service much myself as untracked Lettermail is still cheaper and has served me well thus far, but it's nice to have the option if I have something a bit more valuable.
intimewithmusic
·3 years agoHello folks! Happy Mother's Day. I promise not to post anything else about this after responding to the kind dinomitesales. @lotzofuniquegoodies post has garnered 2065 views in a week so thank you to you Lotz as well for your topic.
Hi @dinomitesales
Thank you for addressing me directly this time around and thank you for a pleasant debate. With your previous dealer employee experience you're only one with insider's knowledge. Your input is greatly appreciated! In less than 1 week Lotz's post has topped 2064 views and is likely a record setting topic. That said it's interesting how few comments are being posted. 2064 views and only 129 comments. I think it's because this impacts us all differently.
If stamps, coins, trading cards and comics were my niche I'd be concerned. Let's look at comics. Because of this I listed my first comic yesterday for $24.97. Two more today for $17.97 and $624.97. Frankly I'd rather stick with music (no pun intended) but I need some teeth. I'm not suggesting listing coins, stamps, comics and trading cards is easy. I respect all of our eBay veterans which is why I've done my research. These items require knowledge to list on eBay. As someone whose been in the music business and a music teacher since 1969 I can attest that there are a lot, a lot! of very fast learners out there. For example today within minutes I rec'd an offer of $475.00 for a Fantastic Four comic that's been in my closet for 50 years. I declined. The offer was one tooth short...
The Debate ( For Newcomers this is "windy". I'll try to caption things . If you don't want to read the retoric just read the captions..)
"If other businesses, organizations, and Canadians would like to have immediate access to a similar service then I'm sure they're welcome to negotiate terms with Canada Post as well, however I doubt their volume (or lack thereof, rather) would get them very far."
Response: In your previous post to his one you stated Canada Post has offered eBay a "volume discount" as they do with lots of other companies. I cannot agree that this is an isolated "normal volume discount" and here is why.
As a retired retail store owner my experience with volume discounts is extensive. To recieve one you need to purchase a large volume of a product that already exists. Expedited Lite is brand new & between eBay & CPC. It did not exist when this partnership started. Canada Post could not have offered a "volume discount" If something doesn't exist there can be no discount. No other company would have had the chance to participate. So that would make it make it a monopoly. That siad Canada Post could have offered eBay an "Introductory Discount". They would then have to offer that to all businesses to avoid a conflict of interest.
"they are introducing a limited number of 'Expedited Lite' parcels into the mail stream from all points in Canada. After a while they can run the numbers to see if they're losing money on these parcels, and if so, how much they need to increase the rate to make it viable, while also scaling it up. Or maybe they'll realize that the prices were more than enough, and can then either decrease the rates (or increase the weight threshold) to make the service even more attractive. This is just standard business practice."
Response: I addressed this before. Canada Post has run parcels across Canada for 155 years. They have a track record with Regular Parcel, Expedited Lite, and many other services including owning Purolator. Using today's technology and the countries brightest minds they shouldn't need *viability tests at this point in the game. If they wanted a trial run they could have used a government agency to avoid a conflict of interest.
"Companies like Shippo are more than welcome to approach Canada Post for a similar deal or access to 'Expedited Lite' service themselves. The Canadian market is just a small portion of Shippo's business so I doubt they even really cared, but maybe now that eBay is taking some of their business away they might look into it. Who knows."
Response: Thank you for bringing up Shippo. Some may think they don't count as they are not Canadian. There are also the side industries like Shipsurance being left behind. also Americans. I'll get to that. On the domestic side you omitted Fedex, UPS, and CanPar who all will have to compete with cross Canada $8 tracked shipping. There's the good folks down at the UPS store who would feel the pinch. Forget Purolator CPC owns them. This is not just about labels. There are all the small businesses that rely on Expedited Parcel and Standard Parcel to make a living. How will they compete with Expedited Lite "Only Available On Ebay"?
"Personally, I am unlikely to use the service much myself as untracked Lettermail is still cheaper"
Response: Thank you. You just hit the nail on the head. My May 9 post was
"Basically "Expedited Light" is designed purely to get people who use lettermail to stop using lettermail."
and that is why we are here today. The math is simple;
eBay Final Value fees on Lettermail = 0%
" " " " Expedited Lite = approx 12.5%
Some fees will be lost when sellers shift to Ex Lt. Marginal. Only on domestic shipments under 200 grams.
This is not about field testing a new mail service. This is about getting merchandise out of lettermail for profit. As you said, "no one is talking". It's a bed time story. A dream. There are no facts.
However this IS a HUGE opportunity for sellers to take advantage of the situation. List as many items as you can that qualify! This is a great shipping deal! Canada Post wants you to list. eBay wants you to list.
Oh, hello? sorry folks I have to take this call....
Hello? Hello? who's calling please? On no, it's other platforms, couriers and related businesses. Some are domestic and some international all calling Canada Post up for a "volume discount"!
I hope I'm wrong. Hello?... What? ...I'm not picking up. I need dental work. I need this opportunity.
I'm not picking up... Go away! Wait... I can hear their typewriters clacking away...
Best to ignore them as long as I can! List, list, list!. List more comics, stamps, coins and trading cards.. This is too good to be true! Don't look a gift horse in the mouth! Make hay while the sun shines. How many more old man slogans can this guy come up with? LOL...
To be clear I like eBay. I don't make any money but I like that it keeps me connected to the global music industry. eBay goes a long way to help us seniors weed through the rigors of getting old. eBay helps young people navigate the high cost of education. eBay helps single mom's and single dad's put food on family's tables. Canada needs this service. I support Expedited Lite, Canada Post and eBay. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt with respect. I don't think this monopoly was intentional. I just don't think they thought this completely through. I don't want this to go away but typewriters are clacking so take advantage of it because there is actually one fact.
One bonified FACT that could turn this gift into a bad dream...
*Canada's economy is not created domestically. We rely on foreign business to survive. There is something called the "Competition Act". I know nothing about it except what I hear on the news. Canadians are spending millions of tax dollars in court unravelling attempted mergers like Shaw, Rogers, Bell,Telus, Air Canada and on and on. You can decide for yourself if it has relevance. Thank you @dinomitesales for this chat with an old f**t. I have comics to list...
1. This Act may be cited as the Competition Act.
R.S., 1985, c. C-34, s. 1R.S., 1985, c. 19 (2nd Supp.), s. 19
PART I
Purpose and Interpretation
Purpose
Marginal note:Purpose of Act
1.1 The purpose of this Act is to maintain and encourage competition in Canada in order to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy, in order to expand opportunities for Canadian participation in world markets while at the same time recognizing the role of foreign competition in Canada, in order to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises have an equitable opportunity to participate in the Canadian economy and in order to provide consumers with competitive prices and product choices.
R.S., 1985, c. 19 (2nd Supp.), s. 19
avidhiker-33
·3 years ago@lotzofuniquegoodies, muchas gracias for starting this thread and sharing your experience with using Expedited Lite. Wasn't aware of this until I saw your posts (guess I should check the seller boards more frequently!)
Good move by Canada Post imo. Will likely cannibalize some registered mail fees and parcel post fees but should generate additional revenue for items that were previously unecomical to mail due parcel post rates applied to anything > 20 mm thickness.
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@avidhiker-33
Happy to be of assistance and for everyone else that has shared their experiences and concerns. Hopefully the remaining issues/concerns can be resolved in a timely manner? Stay tuned.
-Lotz
ricarmic
·3 years agoIMO these recent examples of "breaks" we're getting from CP are a result of them trying to better compete with the Chit Chats, Shippo's etc of the world, but I could be wrong!
@vintagenorth is giving me hope that "lite" will also eventually become available to the "over the counter" (stamps on the box) kinda folks like me....that would be another win!
As an interesting note, when they dropped the price of US tracked for us "over the counter" folks I decided to track EVERYTHING to the US now, meaning my average parcel cost is about 40cish more (to me), which means them lowering the price, actually means I'm sending them more revenue now! The same would hold true for expedited lite, I'd be more likely to send smaller value packages lite expedited because the price was so much lower, likely meaning overall they'd again be getting more $$$ overall out of me......
This might be a successful business model for them.....
intimewithmusic
·3 years agoSomething else to think about...
Hardened packaging such as small air jackets or polymailers with cardboard stiffening weighs about 40 to 80 grams including the label and inserts. My cd mailer (without cd) weighs 60 grams.
Will professional packaging be compromised by sellers to allow the contents to weigh more than 120 to 160 grams?
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agoThis "feature" is a BUST.
Another thought is it seems very odd Canada Post can offer an postal service exclusive to eBay without including other online agencies (not just platforms) but everyone. The postal service belongs to Canadians.
This is clearly not a bust. Personally i already used it a few times, and it saved the trip to the office to send registered mail, it saved 40% on the postage cost, and it saved my customers signature at receipt. I understand this could be frustrating because some categories that could be eligible in size, are not eligible. But for those eligible, this service is actually awesome.
As i wrote somewhere else. This is obvious that this service was an initiative from eBay to grow the trading card market. Nothing else. They aquired the platform TCGplayer (biggest competitor) a few months ago for like 300 millions US. We see more and more promos, coupons, and then this shipping service.
Canada post do not offer it to other platforms and everyone because this is an agreement between eBay and them. eBay obviously has a contract with them and pay for it. The trading cards market bring way more money than other categories. This is what paying for it. And i think it's obvious that this service is a service intended to this category. On the .COM it's been a while that trading cards has their specific service.
vintagenorth
·3 years agoI was just at my local little post office and mailing a parcel and the postmistress mentioned Lite Expedited was coming soon and asked me if I had heard of it. She said it is a Canada Post feature not just for eBay sellers. The post office must have had a bulletin about it already.
intimewithmusic
·3 years agoThank you!
for the Albertans...
"Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth. "
Now let's see if they will raise the threshold to 400 grams!
-better yet make it a pound!
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agowas just at my local little post office and mailing a parcel and the postmistress mentioned Lite Expedited was coming soon and asked me if I had heard of it. She said it is a Canada Post feature not just for eBay sellers.
Well that's misleading. I was assuming it's an exclusive agreement the way they write:
That’s why eBay Canada has partnered with Canada Post to offer
dinomitesales
·3 years agoThis surprises me - I've been working at the post office all week and still haven't seen any announcement of this by any of Canada Post's communication channels to post offices. I thought for sure they would at least send out a memo to let staff know of it's existence to potentially answer any questions that might arise from eBay sellers making inquiries at the post office.
You say it's a 'local little post office' which means it's a corporate post office, so the only explanation here is that the corporate post offices got a heads up but the Authorized Dealer offices didn't, which is strange. I have no further explanation for this or any way to confirm the validity of the statements made by your postmistress.
avidhiker-33
·3 years agoThe manager of our neighourhood RPO had not yet heard of Expedited Lite when I asked May 11th.
When I mentioned the eBay offering she said it may be a limited rollout to assess viability and address process bugs before a broader rollout. She said she has seen several (initially) limited rollouts of new services over the years, some of which went on to Canada-wide rollout and some of which died.
She also mentioned a smaller version of the Flat Rate Box is currently being trialled and may eventually be rolled out nationally.
intimewithmusic
·3 years agointimewithmusic
·3 years agoHi @lotzofuniquegoodies
Don't get your hopes up folks... don't count your chickens before... etc etc.
This "feature" is a BUST. You can't ship anything larger than a CD. A magazine? Nope. A VHS tape? Nope. You can't even ship a small teacup.
Basically "Expedited Light" is designed purely to get people who use lettermail to stop using lettermail. It totally discriminates against the rest of us. Had they made the threshold 350 grams or better eBay might have had something.
Too bad. eBay missed a great opportunity.
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@intimewithmusic
@devon@ebay
That's why confirming if Expedited Lite is based strictly on weight or cubing(dimentional weight) is applicable and knowing calculation that is being used.) It may work for more items than we even realize. And having an easy way to add it to currently running listings so BUYERS know it is in play. Information that should have been available before/as it was released.
-Lotz
intimewithmusic
·3 years agoUnless your scale is "special", 200 grams is 200 grams. Business policies have already incorporated the new "Only available on eBay Labels". I doubt there is any problem using EL for other categories. eBay would have to filter out specific ones from Business policies.
Another thought is it seems very odd Canada Post can offer an postal service exclusive to eBay without including other online agencies (not just platforms) but everyone. The postal service belongs to Canadians. That includes everybody who sells online. Hypothetically will Etsy or Joe Blow Balloons also be allowed to make exclusive deals with CP too?
If Etsy or Shopify for example who doesn't have much in trading cards, offered the service with a slightly higher size/ weight threshold to attract Canadian sellers of handpainted tea cups, magazines etc I wonder how that would that go over with potential Exp Lite sellers?
The point is, "Can our postal service offer one business "exclusivity"? I don't know but it seems weird.
I don't have any answers. I'm merely suggesting this may not be fully thought through. The benefit is that this is going to attract a lot of attention!
In the words of Red Rose tea "Only on eBay you say?... a pity."
I'm looking forward to see just how this plays out. In the meantime...
Anybody wanna buy ..half a magazine? ;>}
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years agoFrom original first order, actual weight was approx 130 grams. Dim weight worked it out to 219 grams (over the limit). Then I printed and it modified the measurements automagically to 5 x 5 x 5 cm. I could have voided but most likely it would have done the same thing over. I don't want to be sending out parcels, charging 1 rate and then have them be audited after the fact. Unfortunately that would be a pita vs pity.
-Lotz
***When you see the math and how much a CP parcel increases from what can be a very small package originally but when cubed is substantially greater on the final label you see how much of difference it can potentially make. (Expedited labels etc show the cubed weight when applicable vs the actual weight.) I believe years ago they showed both. Handprinted bills used to have a section for auditing.Now due to the miracle??? of AI all done automagically***
intimewithmusic
·3 years agoI'm familiar with your store. You may have a coin, stamp or card here and there. It was easy adding it to my business policies but when I went to update listings but I have nothing applicable.
As you know I'm big on combined shipping. Ebay warns you in the release notes to be very careful with weights. Watch out there if you do combined shipping. Can you trust the calculator to combine items with more than one shipping service?
They mention comics... You might get away packaging a raw comic to go under 200G but not one in a slab. Let's hope the threshold is increased so this "feature" becomes more seller inclusive.
I don't have answers. Probably Ex Lite is Canada Post's beta with eBay. This feature is coming from Canada Post not eBay hence the quiet release. Very soon, guessing here, the service will be standard available to all platforms and businesses selling domestically.
This is a good time for feedback from those excluded by the shipping parameters.
msau4301
·3 years agoHi lotz! Sorry if this has already been addressed but I do keep checking here and don't remember seeing it (I think I've read most of the 108 posts so far!) but I was curious what happend if I went to eBay's Shipping Calculator and put a sample size in (what I would use for say shipping Barbie clothes) of 35 x 26 x 3 and 150 grams (common weight for me). I just plugged in my parents postal code for destination as an example I just wanted to see if Expedited Lite showed up on the calculator and it did!! For my above size/weight from one part of Ontario to another it showed $6.87 with Expedited Lite and $15.12 with Expedited Parcel (huge difference!). If it is showing on the Help calculator (I'm talking about the one you get to when you hit Help & Contact at top of page, then search Shipping Calculator) it gave an amount so I would hope this would also show if we have "Calculated shipping" attached to a listing (I do, I think you do too?!) I was going to use a flat rate of $9 not knowing what province but if calculator is accurate it would be preferred by me anyways.
I don't have any listings going now since I take this week off with too much family stuff and travelling but I am hoping when I do re-list the calculator maybe kicks in!?!
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agoeBay needs to do a better job promoting this service. It's been a week and i still see a high percentage of sellers offering expedited $22.00 shipping for trading cards. On the other hand today someone decided to ship me a $200.00 order by lettermail. A lot of people still doesnt seems to know they can ship tracked for under $10 now.
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@rocketscollectibles
Before they rolled it out they forgot a few things.
It's similar to what we don't have for anyone who wants to offer Fedex.
-Lotz
intimewithmusic
·3 years agoIf anyone knows how to roll out a feature it's eBay. My guess is the "quiet opening" was intentional.
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agoThis is still awful that if i sell something $90 + $10 shipping, buyer pay taxes on the $10 shipping. Then i purchase the $10 label, and i'm charged taxes on that, to the buyer's province. I understand if i go to the office as the sales are not tracked, but here eBay clearly knows we paid taxes twice on the same amount. The label should be considered to be sold to the buyer, instead of being considered sold to seller, then resold to buyer. And the fact they charge taxes to seller based on buyer's province, instead here to give the taxes to quebec, coming from a quebec resident, buying in quebec, proves that they consider the purchase of the label coming from the buyer. No wonder why they hide the amount, we're actually scammed. The buyer's province receive twice the taxes for a single purchase. Seller gets charged taxes for something that taxes have already been paid for.
Anyway i purchased one label today for the first time. If it wasnt said previously. The label is a standard expedited parcel label, nothing different.
regs43
·3 years agoNOT A TAX PROFESSIONAL just trying to give a simple way to unerstand how it works
No your not being scammed, this is how taxation works in Canada. ebay is just not giving itemized reciepts like they should be which is the concerning issue with their label system.
If you were registed bussiness with a GST/HST number you would be able to get the tax you paid on shipping BACK from the government. At tax time you file GST/HST paid and colellcted and based on the 2 amounts you either owe more money or get money back
Taxation in Canada is meant for the END buyer to pay the tax, and all the people selling along they way get the tax they paid back, in simple terms.
1. Distributor sells and item to you and collects $5.00 tax from you. Distributor files taxes end of the year and SENDS that $5.00 tax that you paid them to the CRA
2. You sell the item again on ebay, you collect tax for the same item but this time you collect $10.00 tax from the ebay buyer as you sold the item for a higher price. ebay collects this $10.00 on your behalf and send it to the government. At tax time IF you were a registered business you would then claim the $5.00 tax you paid to the distributor and would get a refund for the $5.00, meaning you never paid tax on that item to sell it as you got a refund for the $5.00
3 In the end the government ends up with $10 from the END user (your ebay buyer) as you got the $5.00 back from the government that the distributor sent them. Its a bit of a roundabout process but it does work out in the end that only your ebay buyer paid the tax.
The same works for shipping and the tax, if you were a business ou could claim the tax from shipping.
Becasue you are not a registered business yes you are paying taxes again but you could be getting them back if you registered as a bussiness which you can do at anytime but must do if you sell more then 30K gross annually
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agoBecasue you are not a registered business yes you are paying taxes again but you could be getting them back if you registered as a bussiness which you can do at anytime but must do if you sell more then 30K gross annually
Well exactly. I do not sell $30k so i'm not registered. I'm not refund.
In facts the buyer and i pay taxes twice for a single label.
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agoWhen i purchase a label, it's a flat price. Are you guys saying there is hidden taxes included in this amount? And that if my buyer paid $100, he paid taxes on shipping, then i pay taxes on shipping a second time? I don't understand too why would it be charged from the buyer's province. He already paid his taxes. I'm the one buying and i'm located into QC. I'm just more confused. Really thought it was a fuel surcharge price change that could have affected the price.
regs43
·3 years agoYes ALL postage in Canada has tax on it.
If you buy a 10 pack stamp booklet at the post office there is tax on top of that.
10xP stams is 10x0.92 $9.20 + TAX . Its 5%GST for most provinces, but Ontario is an HST province (13%) and atlantic provinces are HST (15%). So you will pay either $9.20 +5%/13%/15% depending where the stamp booklet is bought! so if bought in Alberta or any other GST province its - $9.66 Ontatio its - $10.40 and in Atlantic provinces its $10.58
When you create a label online OR at the post office, the destination province is used for the TAX. so if you mail an item to albert from anywhere in Canada you pay 5% tax. Likewise if you are mailing an item to Ontario as the destination for the parcel 13% tax is paid on that shipment
This is why myself and others NEED a recipt with the break down of this information as I am a registered business and need to have the amount of tax paid so I can claim it at tax time.
When you buy a label online with Canada post snap ship or at the post office the recipt has the breakdown of all the charges, Base pirce (inclusive of fuel %) and tax on a seperate line.
Ebay just has it all jumbled into one final amount, which works for USA since they don't have tax on postage and I am sure their ebay labels system is based on coding for USA!
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@rocketscollectibles
This is an example of a Shippo receipt for a shipment to Ontario. You would get something similar with CP labels. Ebay labels does not give you any kind of itemized receipt. As a btw for this with Shippo you can see the complete charge break down before you print...including taxes and discount. That information mostly poofs when it prints the label as you can see by the example.
The tax you are paying to ebay is based on the total transaction as ebay seller fees .
-Lotz
rocketscollectibles
·3 years agoWill prices change on daily basis depending on gaz price? And how they define fuel surcharge?
I said a few days ago a shipment QC to ON was $7.86. I now have a exact same size package, QC to AB, which is way more far, label is $7.46
I'm confused.
flipistics
·3 years agoHere's information on how the fuel surcharge is calculated:
https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/sending/rates-dimensions/fuel-surcharges-on-mail-and-parcels
If the price you're seeing includes tax, as people have suggested, the 13% to Ontario vs the 5% to Alberta is probably the difference.
recped
·3 years agoCurrently the Fuel Surcharge is recalculated weekly (since last September), prior to that is was (I think) bi-weekly and going back a few years I think it was monthly
https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/sending/rates-dimensions/fuel-surcharges-on-mail-and-parcels
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@rocketscollectibles
One other thing to consider for shipments to AB there is only 5% gst. Some kind of rate tool is definitely required.
-Lotz
regs43
·3 years agoI printed my first label, it also shows 5x5x5 when I had put in 20x24x4 as my actual dimensions (note, putting in 20x24x10 would cost 10 cents more, I was playing around with it for fun)
Worried about how I will have a recipt for this transaction with full breakdown of Base rate, fuel surcharge amount and the TAX of 5%GST showing for my ITC purposes, so hopefully ebay fixes this issue soon! @devon@ebay
lotzofuniquegoodies
OP3 years ago@regs43
Not sure why this happens. Just that it does but on Shippo when you enter in the weight for customs...Example .800 grams for customs weight when the label prints the weight prints as .799 grams. I have seen this happen sporatically to the package weight. Not sure if it is service type or just a random glitch. In checking the recent processed shipments its sort of hit or miss if this has happened. When I first noticed it was all the time. The 5 x 5 x 5 with Expedited Lite seems to be a default measurement it inserts automagically. Clarification regarding cubing for this service would be nice.
-Lotz
flipistics
·3 years agoThe 20x24x10 is interesting, given it's larger than the allowed dimensions. I wonder what would have happened?
regs43
·3 years agoI tried recreating that one again just now on a different customers order (never printed a label) but I cant get it to do anything similar. I thought it was a bit odd also! On any other tests I have done when you put anything over the 3220 limit for LXWXH it shoots it up to a regular parcel rate. 0-199grams also seems to keep the price at the same rate, doesnt seem to be any different if you change the weight, just a base price for the whole weight range.
Might have been a glitch, this is ebay so who knows!