Sales have picked up - but shipping is a zoo!
Summary: sin-n-dex discusses recent issues with shipping packages from Canada, sharing experiences with delays and confusion involving third-party shippers, particularly Stallion. They highlight a package sent earlier in the week that was unexpectedly under 'processing' again and express concerns about delays impacting customer experience. A participant, hansatrade, suggests Canada Post (CP) might be a safer option for shipping as their service includes comprehensive customs information on labels. byto253 clarifies the bulk shipping process followed by ChitChats and Stallion, mentioning the use of electronic manifests instead of individual customs information. regs43 notes success with using Canada Post without issues and questions the reliability of third-party shippers. Overall, the thread revolves around finding reliable shipping solutions amidst tariff-related delays and the importance of understanding customs procedures.
I sent out a bunch of offers last night (where I did tell buyers I lived in Canada and shipped from Niagara), and got quite a few takers!
My package from Monday that was shipped out and showing in transit is back in Mississauga under "processing". Seems it was turned back, or perhaps never left...
My Wednesday packages are all showing "processing". The folks at Stallion when you drop off packages either don't know what's going on, or have been instructed not to share with customers (either way I don't get to find out from them).
I have 11 orders to ship out that were going to go tomorrow, but I notified everyone today of the delay. I don't want to ship new packages until I know that everything is OK with yesterday's packages (yesterday's has the HTS code and country of origin declared on the portal).
I'm waiting to see what happens to Wednesday's packages before contacting any customers. There's only a few eBay customers from Wednesday, things were pretty quiet earlier in the week.
I will say one thing... when tariffs were delayed, I was thinking perhaps it was foolish to spend money and time driving to Mississauga, but I'm so glad I did! Those packages have been delivered, and customers on Thursday and Friday would not have patience for this week's shipping drama if I delayed on shipping their stuff and then had problems.
C.
regs43
·1 year agoAll the packages I shipped earlier this week with Canada Post have crossed the border no issues, I wouldnt be using a third party shipper at this time personally, seems like they are the ones with all the issues. The cost with ebay labels is quite similar to Chit Chats (when I figure in the time it takes me to drive there 1.5 hours round trip) the post office is 2 blocks from my house.
sin-n-dex
OP1 year agoWhat we weren't sure about was whether or not tariffs were going to be assessed to customers. From what I hear all shipping options have some problems due to China tariffs.
I did get word tonight from Stallion Customer service that packages are starting to move (and their email this afternoon says trucks are on the way but they're waiting for official confirmation from CBP). The biggest box I shipped on Wednesday is now showing in transit but the rest of my packages (including the Monday one) are still showing "processing". Stallion Customer Service said everything shipped Feb 3 and 4 had to be cleared by formal entry which is causing a backlog. I had to submit a receipt for the Monday package which they said was forwarded to their broker to see if it would be accepted (they told me this today, does it even matter now? All countries are de minimis again).
I'm working on an inventory list and updating country of origin for my supplier to sign off on next week in case there's future tariffs and I need to prove the origin of my items.
C.
hansatrade
·1 year agoIs sending with ChitChats or Stallion not too risky now?
Their service is some kind of a phony US domestic service - their shipping labels have no HST, value, signature, etc., while CP label has a genuine CN 22 customs declaration, seller's signature, content description, HST code, and item's value.
flipistics
·1 year agoThere's no tax on labels going outside of Canada. It's only charged on domestic labels (I don't know if they're breaking it out for domestic though).
byto253
·1 year agoThat is apples and oranges actually. ChitChats and Stallion bring it in bulk across the border and submit an electronic manifest of what it being shipped instead of each item having the information on it. The labels on the packages are all domestic US labels.
It is the same basic thing I did when I brought some shipments across the border myself. They all had USPS labels on them purchased through .com and I had to fill in a manifest form with each one on it. The individual parcels did not have customs information on it. In my case it was a piece of paper given to the US customs folks, but the big shippers do it electronically.
sin-n-dex
OP1 year agoCan you tell me where to get the manifest I would fill out to bring things across? It's tempting for me to do this if necessary (and Stallion is taking too long to get packages across). Stuff from Monday is still stuck and it's being processed for a second time in Mississauga. If I don't see my packages making progress by Sunday I'm inclined to take half a day off of work to drive over with stuff.
C.
byto253
·1 year agoI will have to check back to a thread from last year where I posted the correct number.
sin-n-dex
OP1 year agoThat would be helpful in case I decide to drive across but people are telling me it's not advised at this time. I was told of Stallion and Chit Chats can't get stuff across, I shouldn't even attempt to try.
C.
byto253
·1 year agoIt is form 7533
https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2022-Dec/CBP%20Form%207533.pdf
Here is thread from a couple of years ago that I would suggest reading. Not sure if the fee is the same, and the form link has changed to the one above.
https://community.ebay.ca/t5/Seller-Central/Experience-with-Going-to-the-US-to-Ship-Directly-with-USPS/td-p/487711
As I noted in the post I showed up with the wrong form and the CBP officer strongly encouraged me to call ahead if I was not sure what to do, and think that would be a great idea. I crossed at Ogdensburg which is a small crossing. But he made it very clear that they would much prefer to get a call for direction.
Trying to figure it out from the CBP website is nuts, it is not a user friendly layout.
EDIT: For the parcels I brought across the border, I have a US return address from a postal holding business. UPS does this in most border towns, as well as others. With the US return address I can buy the labels on .com, as I also list on .com - If you are on .ca I don't know if you can do that or not. If not, you can buy labels from USPS or other providers if you have a US return address.
hansatrade
·1 year agoThis exactly, what I am talking about. CP parcel might be safer, just because all necessary info is displayed right there on the label. And a manifest is not required (or maybe CP prepares later its own, I don't know).
As you can see, my item left Canada on Tuesday and crossed the boder next day without any problem (I sell in collectibles & antiques category).
ericsells75
·1 year agoShipping many by CP last couple of weeks, no issues.
vintageandglamor
·1 year agoDoes anyone have a package with "China" origin sent through Canada Post tracked packet that has cleared US customs? I would like to know if end users are being charged, especially small dollar value under $100.
None of mine have cleared yet (with china origin) and not sure if or how customers are being charged.
intimewithmusic
·1 year agoBreakthough here too!
I sold a Guidebook on the History of the Similkameen....
to a guy in the US who had it shipped to Chilliwack...
I hope the Blackhawk doesn't pick him up in the dark.
hansatrade
·1 year agoI ship by CP (TP) and everything seems to be OK.