My maiden experience with Zonos/Canada Post - so far so good!
Summary: phc64 shared their initial positive experience using Zonos and Canada Post. Several participants, including regs43, vintage_america, and dinomitesales, engaged in the discussion with comments and follow-up questions, indicating interest in the topic. phc64 provided responses to queries, and the conversation expanded with contributions from others such as tryubik-useonlyasdirected, sylviebee, and raanana. While the main focus was on the efficacy and satisfaction with Zonos and Canada Post services, the discussion touched on related logistics and service provider reliability. Overall, the conversation was constructive and informative, with participants sharing thoughts and experiences regarding cross-border shipping solutions.
After conducting a number of experiments on the Zonos app, I became confident enough that Zonos was correctly calculating the tariffs on compact discs (HTS 8523.49.30.00) as $0.00 to turn shipping to the US back on for compact discs only. Because of the C$3.99 Zonos fee (even on tariff-exempt goods), I increased my shipping rate to the US by C$3.00.
I had my first US sale just a few hours later. Everything went smoothly on the Zonos app. I paid the $3.99 fee and got my Declaration ID. (On the 'confirmation page', there is a 'cancel order' link. So if you (or Zonos) make a mistake, you can immediately cancel it.) Apparently the only receipt you get from Zonos is a QR code on the confirmation page. (Since I have never owned a smart phone, that may be a bit of an issue.)
Because US-bound Canada Post shipping labels cannot currently be purchased on eBay, I had to go to the Canada Post site. On the 'customs' page, you are asked to enter the Declaration ID from Zonos. (Until you get to the 'customs' page, there are no indications anywhere on the Canada Post site that there are any new burdensome requirements to ship to the US). Because for me the Canada Post 'small business' discounts are nowhere near the eBay discounts, the shipping label cost me $11.03 vs. about $7.50 on eBay.
One curious thing is that when you print out the shipping label, the Declaration ID does not appear anywhere on it. The Canada Post website did not ask for the country of origin, so that field was blank on the label.
I usually drop small parcels into the mailbox outside my local post office, but I decided to drop it off inside to make sure everything had been done correctly. The postmaster immediately said she would have to scan the QR code from Zonos, which I didn't have (I did have the Declaration ID, but she didn't need that). I asked her to scan the shipping label's barcode, and since no alarm bells went off, it appeared to have been accepted. We then concluded that if you get the shipping label at a postal outlet, the clerk needs to scan the Zonos QR code, but that this is not the case if you get the shipping label online. I asked the postmaster whether the blank 'country of origin' field on the label was a concern and she said it was not.
So in spite of my raising my US shipping rate, my net costs were about $4.50 higher to ship the item than it would have been last week.
Zonos still appears to be erroneously applying tariffs on phonograph records (HTS 8523.80.10.00). Phonograph records are exempt from tariffs for the same reason compact discs are.
latigojo
·10 months agoThank you so much for takin the time to share this. Very much appreciated from this seller!!!!!!!
bn880
·10 months agoGuess it didn't matter after all as CP (employees) is on their insane strike again. 😛
Wish I would get raise offers like they keep getting...
eriekexouwyrn0
·10 months agoThere is also no longer a way to link your Canada Post account to Zonos through CP to use the service that charges the tariffs to your Zonos after the fact. The instructions given by Canada Post simply don't exist on the webpage.
There is no such thing on the Canada Post webpage called "Account Preferences" under the shipping tab.
regs43
·10 months agoIts in a really stupid place
if you create a shipment from Dashboard
Then on the top right right when the label page opens click "Cancel and Return to cart"
The account preference to link your account is then on that page
Took me like 1.5 hours to find it. I am getting tariff free items with the Manual app, so I havent been using automatic billing but I do have mine set up and I just select manual key each time as I prefer to know my cost upfront
syl-7276
·10 months agoDoes ebay have any plan integrating Zonos anytime soon?
flipistics
·10 months agoI think I read somewhere that Canada Post's systems aren't set up yet for integrating with Zonos for 3rd party clients (like eBay Labels). I'm not sure eBay can integrate it until that happens.
I would expect eBay's first priority will be getting eIS running anyway. Anything else would likely happen after that.
packagedealvintage
·11 months agoIs it working with PCs yet? Or do you still have to ship via cell phone? I haven't read all the comments here but I got as far as those saying you can't use Zonos on a PC, only the mobile app, and I'm wondering if that's changed? I never ship from my phone, I only use my laptop. I haven't added USA shipping back to my items yet but I sell a lot of books that are of USA origin so if I can get Zonos working properly and everyone seems to be having a positive experience with it, then I'll likely try it. I just can't use my mobile for everything.
apmtrade
·11 months ago1. Automatic billing with a Zonos Account (preferred): With this option there is no change when it comes to creating a shipping label with Canada Post SnapShip™ or Shipping Manager.
Using PC OK.
2. Manually pay duties with the Zonos App: Before creating a shipping label using SnapShip or Shipping Manager you need to pay duties via the Zonos app and receive a Declaration ID.
Only Mobile phone. i0S - Android devices.
dinomitesales
·11 months agoThe app has a web version available for use on computers. Can be accessed through app.zonosprepay.com
phc64
OP11 months agoMy intitial shipment of Aug 29 has now been delivered. Two more shipped on Sep 2 are shown as having cleared customs in Chicago on Sep 4 one minute apart.
byto253
·11 months agoAppreciate knowing the COO of those. Where some tariff free? I am shut down until the new year but am closely watching to learn before starting up in the new year!
dannyblue
·11 months agoZonos is charging duty and fees for records that are made in EU countries. So far there is nothing to pay if records are made in Canada, USA, UK, Japan, Brazil and Russia. I sell on Discogs too and had to disable my US shipping because a lot of the records I have for sale are made in the EU. I hope Zonos updates that because from what I understand all recorded media is tariff free.
phc64
OP11 months agoI have now successfully gone through the Zonos/Canada Post procedure for a second time, and this time there were two welcome differences. There is now indeed no longer a processing fee on tariff-free transactions, and this time they did e-mail me a receipt.
sylviebee
·11 months agoNevermind my previous question about printing my label. Worked in other browser.
Finally got my label printed, but that was one long tedious process with a lot of help from posters here. (Thank You.)
There was no charge for zonos and it looks like it's all set to go.
So good system for USA made items. 🙂
bn880
·11 months agoI refuse to use it, its an american business, to use and charge a fee for american tarriff calculations, which we are then asked to pay for americans. a slap in the FACE. Canada Post should at least hire a Canadian company.
marnotom!
·11 months agoSuch as . . . ?
bn880
·11 months agoSuch as employees at Canada Border services, or Canada Post OR ... maybe, just a table of rates that is available for viewing. (though there are many capable IT companies in Canada, lol) It doesn't have to be any MANDATORY company, that takes a fee first of all. Let alone a US one.
phc64
OP11 months agoPostal services can only use brokerage firms approved by the US customs authorities, and they have only approved US firms. (As of last week, they had only authorized two firms for postal services around the world to work with, but there are likely more now.)
sylviebee
·11 months agoI just went through all this but I can't print the label. Has anyone managed to do that, or do we have to go to the PO to manually ship. I always get parcel pickup.
minijunkie
·11 months agophc64
OP11 months agoI have not received any e-mails from Canada Post at all. I simply set up the Zonos account, paid the $3.99 fee (which they appear to now be waiving on tariff-free transactions), then bought the shipping label on the Canada Post site where I entered the Declaration ID. My Zonos and Canada Post accounts are entirely separate and not integrated at all. But I haven't used them since Friday. They may have changed the process since then.
anthonyallen_jp
·11 months agoIt has been a few days since your Dropoff withn the Zonos account linked to your Cpost account, did you get billed for it yet? My understanding supposed to see it charged if any Due after Customs Clearance.
phc64
OP11 months agoMy Zonos and Canada Post accounts are actually not linked. I go through each process separately. (I never received any of the e-mails from Canada Post others have mentioned.)
Zonos billed my CC immediately on Aug 29 (this was a few hours before they dropped their fee on tariff- free shipments). Canada Post billed my CC for the shipping label on Sep 2.
hold.your.own.media
·11 months agoNew problem: Zonos has removed the Account Key from my account. Billing info etc was added yesterday and 2 keys were visible. Now nada.
Zonos app still won't let me sign in with the same credentials. What a sh!% show.
dinomitesales
·11 months agoYeah, the instructions on this Canada Post page for setting up automatic billing are a little incorrect and confusing (maybe it's changed since this page was written).
Under Step 1 you need to follow the link to create a Zonos Account. This appears to be different than the Zonos PrePay app account, as I wasn't able to log into my Zonos Account with the credentials from when I created the Zonos PrePay app account. When creating the Zonos Account you need to give them a bit more information including a company name (I just gave them my full name as I don't operate under a registered business name) and company website (I just linked to my eBay store page); you also need to provide a credit card for billing purposes.
Then in your Zonos Account go to "Settings" --> "Account Key" and the account key will be there for you to copy. It is not 13 characters like stated on that Canada Post page (maybe they confused it with the 13 characters on the Declaration ID); it's like 50 characters long.
Then, go to Canada Post SnapShip and sign into your account (not your Canada Post Solutions for Small Business Account page on canadapost.ca). You will see "Account preferences" at the top. Click on that and you'll see the box where you can paste the Account Key and hit "Save".
sylviebee
·11 months agozonos won't allow me to save my CC info. How did you get it to save your payment info? The "save" button isn't activated for me.
dinomitesales
·11 months agoI just entered the information from my credit card and it worked. Maybe try a different card if you have one? If it's not working then I would imagine it has something to do with the card itself, or some sort of limitation therein (like the site not supporting VISA debits, or other prepaid credit cards like those offered by KOHO or Neo Financial).
Or if you're trying to do it on mobile maybe try on a computer (or vice versa)?
sylviebee
·11 months agoThanks for the help. Just got off zoom with a zonos rep and it looks like my page got somehow mixed up with Australia (or something). Lots of glitches until they can fix the bugs.
ypdc_dennis
·11 months agoConsidering Australia Post has also signed up with Zonos, no surprise Zonos is mixing up the 2 postal systems as they scramble to get this all working.
bonecrusher86
·11 months agoBelow are instructions at Canada Post for Zonos. I'm having problems. For one, the "13-character code" is twice that lenth; and for the other, there's no instructions on how to add that Account Key "to your Canada Post account preferences."
I spoke with a CP customer service agent, and they don't know anything about this; told me a manager would contact me within 48 hours. That has elapsed, I suspect I'll be waiting a few more days.
Connect your Account Key
regs43
·11 months agoafter 1.5 hours of looking the other day I found it lol!
when you click "create shipping label" in the dashboard it brings you to create a label. On the right hand side click "cancel and return to cart" Thats where the preferences page is lol (NOT WELL LAID OUT AT ALL)
heartovermind
·11 months agoif you are not using the phone version of the app,
does that mean you are using the web version?
I'm haveing issues with it producing the correct HS code,
apparently.
hold.your.own.media
·11 months agoWell this is dodgy. I created a Zonos profile by signing up online (followed the CP link from the CP site). Then downloaded the Zonos app. The Zonos web portal shows the Account Key under Settings. CP claims the code should only be 13 characters, but its actually significantly longer... When I try to login to the Zonos app, it says my account doesn't exist. What the hell am I missing here with this poor-ass setup?
Also, where the heck do I even enter the Zonos Account Key with CP?
Note: For the time being, I want to create the barcode on the Zonos app and the customs barcode on the CP app to present to a clerk at my local CP branch.
Thx
apmtrade
·11 months agoI look into signing up, Canada Post. "For individuals and small businesses"
Manually pay duties with the Zonos App
When I contacted Zonos, I was informed that only mobile phone users could register, not PC users. I don't have a mobile phone.
"There is no direct PC sign-up link available at this time."
Please contact Zonos Support for help with your specific situation
Zonos informed that further information from Canada Post will be announced/informed next week.
cottagewoman
·11 months agoAs it stands the small business rates are too high via SnapShip. CP needs to get eBay members the rates we had before to stay competitive. Could be done by CP through the eBay API.
regs43
·11 months agoI was able to sign up on the computer, but I cant create any zonos orders on the computer (app only)
Its a **bleep**py system all around and not functional for half the people who will want to use it on the computer
sylviebee
·11 months agoThis was really helpful phc64. Thank you for posting it.
'm getting there but it's been twisted so far. I can't download the app on my mac, but did get it on my iPhone.
Now CPO site won't accept my declaration id. There's some kind of wonky symbol in there and I have to figure out a way to copy that.
Yes, duty did eventually show as zero for US made item after a lot of glitches.
This could work and so much better than couriers......... just don't trust them with all their added fees.
phc64
OP11 months agoThere sure seem to still be some bugs in the system.
Today for phonograph records, Zonos is not calculating a tariff if the country of origin is Canada or the UK, but there is a tariff if it's Germany or The Netherlands. That makes no sense.
tryubik-useonlyasdirected
·11 months agoUgh anyone else running into mis-classification issues? The calculator seems to be mis-classifying items and not providing specific results.
Even checking codes for the duty amount isn't working.
The HTS Guide from the US Government:
Zonos saying the code doesn't apply:
Zonos calculating Antique Silver over 100 and less than 250 as not Antique and requiring Duty/Tarrifs:
phc64
OP11 months agoThe HTS code for phonograph records is 8523.49.4000, but if you type in 'phonograph record', it gives 8519.81.3010, which is the HTS for 'optical disc player'. I need to type in 'vinyl phonograph record' to get the correct HTS.
Zonos contact is support@zonos.com
tryubik-useonlyasdirected
·11 months agoIntersting I just
Thank you, i couldn't find it.
I've tried again to find the correct code for an antique and it requires the definition of "over 100 years old."
The best bet here would be figure out the HS code using another service (Canada Post/US Government Guide) and then fiddle with your words to find something that fits.
Unacceptable really from a company that's processing customs/border services for multiple countries hopefully it's just the short notice timeline and they can have the service tweaked for accurate results.
Now to figure out where to add the zonos key to canada post and i'll give it a try....
packagedealvintage
·11 months ago@tryubik-useonlyasdirected I think you'd have to add 2 more numbers to your declaration. The 9709.99.00 isn't enough for the Zonos app, I think you need to add the final 2 digits to be clearer on what you're sending (silverware, furniture, other) in order for the Zonos app to recognize the HTS category and correctly assess it as free.
tryubik-useonlyasdirected
·11 months agoFantastic news. I'll wait a week to see how things progress before bringing everything back online (should not have taken it offline but canada post should have been more clear that they would have a solution in place and ready to go on day one, but i digress).
Is there any webpage from Canada Post with thorough instructions on how this operates?
palmerstonpicks
·11 months agogot it:
https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/sending/sending-faq/how-to-prepay-us-duties-with-zonos.page
tryubik-useonlyasdirected
·11 months agoThanks!
Canada Post says "Copy the key to add it to your Canada Post account preferences." <--- I can't find those. Where do I enter the Zonos account Key in My Canada Post account?
regs43
·11 months agoafter 1.5 hours of looking the other day I found it lol!
when you click "create shipping label" in the dashboard it brings you to create a label. On the right hand side click "cancel and return to cart" Thats wehre the preferences page is lol (NOT WELL LAID OUT AT ALL)
sylviebee
·11 months agoI've spent hours trying to get this going........... Just learned that it's not ready yet. phc64 was in an early access group but the rest of us can't use it yet.
CPO will be sending a link next week to the rest of us.
regs43
·11 months agoI was never emailed a link from Canada post, but there was also an article on the Canada Post site to follow instructions.
https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/kb/sending/sending-faq/how-to-prepay-us-duties-with-zonos.page
About half way down the page it says "sign up with this link"
Good luck
sylviebee
·11 months agoEasy to register with Zonos but it doesn't link to CPO yet unless you had early access.
cottagewoman
·11 months agosylviebee
·11 months agoI asked to get on the early access list but was told there's no way to do it.
I did get the app on my iphone to work but was given a deckaration id that doesn't work with CPO.
raanana
·11 months agoThanks for sharing .Do we have to by labels on CP page or there is an option to pay at PO ? I'm always using stamps and would like to continue .
dinomitesales
·11 months agoYou can still buy your labels and use stamps at the post office as you've always done. You just need to do this extra step through the Zonos app, and then give the Declaration ID to the clerk so they can enter it when processing your transaction on the computer.
Any duty payable must be paid directly through the Zonos app using the credit card. It can't be added onto the transaction and paid at the post office, and can't be paid for using stamps.
fergua3
·11 months agoi thought there was a mimum charge of $80-$200 for each package entering the US?
dinomitesales
·11 months agoShippers (in this case, international postal systems) had the option of two duty-payment methods:
1) Ad valorem duty, which is the actual amount calculated based on the item's declared value and the country of origin; or
2) A flat duty per package ranging rom $80-200 depending on the country's tariff rates.
Canada Post went with Option 1. They are charging the actual (ad valorem) rates.
fergua3
·11 months agooooh, that's how it works. That's somewhat better. Not sure who would choose option 2 though?
raanana
·11 months agoSelling postcards and stamps,as per US government site there are no tariffs,so hopefully nothing to pay extra.
Probably mail will take longer than now to be delivered ,hopefully it will be fine with buyers.
Some US buyers are really impatient,just got INR case on 13th day after the shipping (
dinomitesales
·11 months agoIt seems like every time I open the Zonos app it asks me to relaunch because it's been updated. This is good, they're actively updating it.
At the moment, I can add (seemingly) anything, and if the Country of Origin is "United States" it's charging me absolutely nothing. Zero duties and zero processing fee. This is good. I hope this is how it will continue to work.
sylviebee
·11 months agodinomite.... that's what I was expecting but it's not what I'm finding because when I do an estimate they are charging duty for US made items. I'll try again later.
dinomitesales
·11 months agoWhen you open the Zonos app are you selecting "calculate" or "ship" on the bottom row? Make sure you're selecting "ship" (and that you're logged into your Zonos account at the time).
byto253
·11 months agoDo let us know how the shipment flows through the system over the next few days. Appreciate the sharing of experience.
sylviebee
·11 months agoI'd be happy to pay a $3.99 fee, but when I try to use it they want to bill me around $25 for the service plus duty owing. I wonder if I'm doing something wrong?
Zonos is also want to charge duty on US made items and I thought US made is duty free.
dinomitesales
·11 months agoI can confirm that if you buy the label online, there is nothing new the clerk at the post office needs to do. It's a "scan the tracking number and go" process, just like it's always been. They only need the Declaration ID if the postage is being purchased at the post office.
The clerk you were dealing with was likely just a bit confused. This is all extremely new and it will take a while for them to get used to it.
vintage_america
·11 months agoI really don’t want to eat the tariffs for USA sales but if it’s a last resort I’ll consider it.
regs43
·11 months agoFor the Zonos charge does your credit card show $3.99 CAD or was it billed in USD and convereted and if so was it indeed 3.99CAD in the end? Just curious as I would like to open shipping up again but want to bake these fees into my process lol
phc64
OP11 months agoI was charged CAD$3.99.
While experimenting with the Zonos app this afternoon, it appears that Zonos is now waiving the fee on tariff-exempt shipments.
regs43
·11 months agoThanks I'll play around with it a bit more this afternoon/evening. I managed to get my Canada Post account synched with tmy Zonos account (which was not that easy as Canad aPost intructions are lol), but it doesnt show what the tariff charge will be if you let them bill you later, so I wouldnt recommend that at this time lol.