Anyone shipping from USA ?

[dipmicro]

I would like to start sending my US and international parcels from USA.

Found this article:

http://www.canadabusiness.ca/servlet/ContentServer?cid=1085667968866〈=en&pagename=CBSC_ON/display&c=GuideInfoGuide

The documentation required for informal entry should contain "a Commercial Invoice stating "Informal Entry as per Section 321"

How does CanadaPost do it? Do they create a commercial invoice for each parcel or do they use the formal entry method and clear the whole truckload of parcels at the same time?

Do I need commercial invoice for each parcel or can I somehow combine them all onto single one?

If it's a combined invoice, who would be a receiver of this invoice ?

Thanks

[dipmicro]

My first experiment ship with USPS, pleasant surprise. I love their self-ship machine ...

Now just to find out how to do the paperwork properly and repeatably and I am in the biz.

My CanadaPost clerk told me CP is planning huge increase in rates soon apparently to recoup on some losses ... whatever.

Anyone here knows how to setup Canadian owned LLC in USA? Work permit or secretary with US citizenship is required? CanadaPost is getting over $1500 a month from me now and US customers wait 1-2 weeks to get it. Estimate from the USPS was 2 days! This will spin the business like nothing before.

[dipmicro]

Btw. I am asking about LLC to shield the profits from taxman. Most of my purchases and sales go through US and right now there is just too many exchange rates and brokers in the middle and after all that taxman takes huge chunk of it.

Pierre, you are an accountant, care to chip in with some wisdom on the subject of LLC and taxes and all?

[surplusdealdude]

I run my stuff across the border.

You're going to need a form 7523 from US Customs. It's pretty simple to fill out and it allows you to take up to $2,000.00 across the border every day as long as there's no duty payable on it.

If you have dutiable items, then I would strongly suggest that you use a customs broker - Fedex Trade Networks seems to have their act together and I'd suggest you start there.

What I did was I did a dry run through the border - I went to my border point, went into the Customs office and told them what I wanted to do and asked what they recommend. They were very helpful.

You combine all of the invoices into one clearance form - you are the importer, there needs to be no receiver.

One thing they STRONGLY suggest is that you copy each order coming across and attach it on the back of the customs form. I have done so ever since ( ebay has a bulk print option for this) and I've had no problems.

It can cost $10.75US to do the informal clearance, but they don't apply it every time. Your car also gets X-rayed fairly frequently, and occasionally they do an inspection on you.

I've found that you have to set up a US Post office box (minimum size) to use USPS online. It's worth the $60 per year to do it, you'll save that almost immediately.

I would also suggest that you look at endicia dot com - this is a popular service that allows you to buy stealth postage at about an 8% discount from regular prices and gives you delivery confirmation either free or very cheaply. It's very easy to use. You'll need a US-based bank account and a US based credit/debit card for that (in the US, bank debit cards are also credit cards)

Be sure and check out the Priority flat rate boxes - they're an exceptionally good deal for long-distance shipping, although it can be cheaper to send by regular Priority Post for light stuff and close stuff.

Also check out First Class Mail - it's a Godsend for light pieces. There are different restrictions and weights for domestic and international - there's a learning curve, but it's worth the effort.

Did I mention that USPS gives you FREE BOXES for Priority post?

You do NOT need to set up a company in the US to use USPS - a post office box will do. Small business in the US has special problems - the States have onerous reporting requirements ( you need an accountant to fill out their reports - takes about a week every time) and many states are on the verge of massive tax hikes because they're all in trouble down there. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"To be nobody-but-yourself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can ever fight; and never stop fighting." -- e.e. cummings

[dipmicro]

Surplusdealdude, thanks for excellent info.

Do you need USPS P.O. Box or UPS Stores box wouuld also work? It basically is a regular street mailing address, not P.O.Box, so I prefer it.

I will look into US based bank account and credit card because I plan to be down there 3 times a week.

Did you have a look at Nexus program? I think it does not allow bringing commercial goods, only for personal use.

[recped]

I will look into US based bank account and credit card because I plan to be down there 3 times a week.

Go to any branch of M&T Bank, you can set up an account in 30 minutes or less. Open a personal account and don't mention anything about business use. If asked just say you visit a lot and need a US debit card for your excessive shopping habits.

The Nexus program will not work for what you want to do. You might get away with it but when they figure it out you will really be screwed, it could easily end your ability to cross the border.

[dipmicro]

Thanks recped.

There is absolutely no need to cut corners. Business activities must be as transparent as possible otherwise the model is not repeatable and wrong.

I will check out the M&T next time I am down. This will allow me to be added to PayPal or will I need new PayPal account with US mailing address and US based credit card ?

[recped]

You don't need to do anything with PayPal unless you plan to print USPS postage through them.

I strongly suggest you sign up with Endicia, that way you can obtain the modest discounts, print First Class International and have all your packages fully prepared before you head South.

If you do sign up be nice and use this referral code 560736.

When using Endicia it will use your US address as the return address on the labels but you can overcome this with a little ingenuity and replace it with your Canadian address. Any undelivered packages (usually pretty rare) will come back to you in Canada eliminating the need to have an actual "real" US address.

.

[surplusdealdude]

Do you need USPS P.O. Box or UPS Stores box wouuld also work?

The Ups address will work - you just need a valid US address. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"To be nobody-but-yourself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can ever fight; and never stop fighting." -- e.e. cummings

[dipmicro]

You don't need to do anything with PayPal ...

PP is currently my only payment processors, so I will need to add US bank account into PP for withdrawals.

I will sign-up for Endicia, not for the discount as USPS posted rates are already a joke comparing to CP, but for possibility to prepare in advance and stealth postage.

Thanks guys! You are very helpful.

[recped]

so I will need to add US bank account into PP for withdrawals.

Not a problem to add this to your current PayPal account.

[surplusdealdude]

You can't add a US bank to a Canadian Paypal account - I tried.

You have to open up a new Paypal account in the US with the US Bank account information. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"To be nobody-but-yourself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can ever fight; and never stop fighting." -- e.e. cummings

[momoftwingles2]

I have both my Canadian Bank Account and my US Bank Account (located in Wyoming) linked to my PayPal account.

It works perfectly fine. I've had this set up for years!

No need for a second PayPal account!

Susan

[recped]

Yeah, adding a US Address does not seem possible anymore but a US bank account should be no problem.

[surplusdealdude]

Well, they've changed it - I tried 2 weeks ago and it states very clearly that you can add a CANADIAN bank account.

When I tried to add an American one, it wouldn't allow it. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"To be nobody-but-yourself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can ever fight; and never stop fighting." -- e.e. cummings

[ameroindustries]

Been there done this ... all i got was angry boarder guards / a seized usa bank account and threat's of criminal charges (not sure which ones but whatever)

If your doing a few packages a week im sure its fine ..

Proper way to do it is Open a Usa Company and do everything legit . I plan to do this in the next year because many of my products i can produce cheaper than Any factory in Usa and Canada market is small .. also huge advantage useing usps without there stupid 20mm rule like the Crooks at canada post .

[surplusdealdude]

Yeah, I can see where the border guys wouldn't be happy about you bringing projectile-firing weapons capable of holding little glass vials of bioterrorism materials.

They're just doing their job - I wouldn't blame them too much. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"To be nobody-but-yourself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can ever fight; and never stop fighting." -- e.e. cummings

[dipmicro]

Recped, you mentioned before not to say anything about the business when opening account at M&T.

I just browsed their website and found their free business account:

https://www.mtb.com/business/checking/Pages/FreeBusinessChecking.aspx

I only wish Canadian banks were this generous to startup businesses.

[surplusdealdude]

There may be requirements you don't know about that go with that account.

A girl at HSBC told me that I'd have to have a New York business licence, physical premises IN New York and that she would have to inspect them to make sure that they were adequate to do the job I was saying that I was going to be doing.

I thought that was BS and se was really saying that the bank didn't want to do business. She also stated that they wouldn't open an account for anybody doing ebay.

They fired her last month, but I went with another bank anyways - who needs that nonsense?

You want a non-resident account - you usually have to ask for those. -------------------------------------------------------------------

"To be nobody-but-yourself -- in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can ever fight; and never stop fighting." -- e.e. cummings

[dipmicro]

She also stated that they wouldn't open an account for anybody doing ebay.

I heard that already in connection of something else - we will not sell to eBay seller.

What's wrong with selling on eBay?