Phone numbers on packages

[niko*_*]

Here is what Canada Post says:

Here's what ebays says:

******New U.S. Customs Requirements on Shipment of Goods from Canada******
Date: 03/11/04 Time: 10:24:04 AM EST

Some eBay community members have recently expressed concerns about United States Customs imposing new requirements on shipments of goods from Canada into the United States. Recent discussions with U.S. Customs have confirmed that beginning on November 1, 2004, U.S. Customs will begin more aggressively enforcing existing laws requiring "ultimate recipient identification" information on packages crossing U.S. borders. You can learn full details by reading the official Customs guidance on this new initiative.

With regard to most eBay transactions, purchasers in the United States should only be required to provide their name and address to the seller. For example, U.S. Customs will require only the name and address of the U.S. recipient on all items that are valued at under $200; and most items valued at under $2,000 and imported for personal use. However, if a U.S. purchaser is planning on importing certain textiles or toys valued at over $250; any items that are valued at over $2,000; or any items that they are importing for re-sale, they will probably need to disclose their social security number or business tax ID to U.S. Customs. For issues of privacy, we encourage U.S. purchasers not to give their social security number to the seller, but to instruct the seller to have the customs broker doing the shipment to contact the purchaser directly for that information. All customs brokers are licensed by the government and are obliged by U.S. privacy laws to protect personal information.

This is a general summary of what may be expected when shipping goods from Canada to U.S. purchasers. You can learn more about requirements applicable to specific situations by reviewing the U.S. Customs importation guidelines. Most shipping companies also have detailed explanations on their websites.

So who's right? Has anyone had a package come back because it didnt' have a phone number. I really don't want to waste time tracking down phone numbers since most buyers filter out my emails anyway.

[sunward-hobbies]

If the value is over 200.00, then the buyer will have to pay customs fees. A phone number may be the least of your worries.

So careful about sending anything over 200.00USD to the US.

[niko*_*]

Canada Post claims all mail to the US requires a phone number. At my post office they are insisting on numbers even on mail, christmas cards, etc. My items are all uncer $200.

[sunward-hobbies]

All mail? Even christmas cards?

It looks like some salaried employee has gotten carried away. Either discuss it with the supervisor or got to another outlet.

I am filling out online CP shipments to the US and it doesn't require phone numbers on packages under 200.00USD.

[shoplineca]

It is the local Post Offices that will create the biggest problems as mail and packages through CP and USPS sorting terminals are all handled automatically and I do not believe the machines look for a phone number on the B/L.

At Customs, very few items are checked in relation to the volume of goods crossing. Whether someone actually checks for a phone number on the shipping B/L or not is not important, the question is "Do they check to see if it is a real phone number?"

With that in mind, you should have NO problems putting phone numbers on all your packages going across the border (just make certain you get the area code right).

Malcolm

[niko*_*]

I havent got the new forms yet (ordered) for small packets, but I hear there's a phone number field there.

Gotcha Malcolm. True what you say about the machines. I sent a whole batch this week with no phone number, just went to the outlet instead of the post office. She didnt hassle me about the phone numbers but wanted me to take off all my green stickers and replace them with the new forms even after I told her I phoned customer service and they said it was OK.

Was just wondering if anyone had a parcel actually come back because it didnt have a phone number on it. Guess the answer is no.

[zarzuella]

Here's a scan of the new form - no requirement for phone #:

[discountlabelsupplies]

I no longer send orders over $200.00 U.S. When I do get an order over $200.00 (about once every 4 or 5 weeks) I split the shipment and send both by expedited. I hate that PPB or whatever its called who does the brokerage for orders over 200 US.

[oneofakindmosaics]

Malcolm, you're a funny guy 🙂 I have read several of your posts and they are just hilarious.. I'll be sure to put phone numbers on everything from now on.. you're right.. who's going to check if they are really accurate... hahaha!

I'm tired of Canada Post too.. they are repeatedly raising their rates while their services are mediocre at best. I wish we had free boxes like USPS and why not some peanuts or candy while we wait in the line for hours every month! And to top it off the USD keeps falling.. Enough complaining for me, I got to go paint 🙂

Nathalie.

[shoplineca]

If anyone comes back to tell you that the phone number you put down on the shipping label was wrong, just say it was a typo or you mixed it up wth someone elses or that was their cell number (you know the cell they are serving time in at San Quinten).

Malcolm

[niko*_*]

Zarz was right(of course) there's no field for phone numbers on teh new forms so screw it!

[althetrainer]

I wish I could split my item for shipping. Most of my big items go over $200 US so I have to deal with this all the time. I used to ship FedEx but now the paper work is getting more complicate. I try to ship more Canada Post now. So far none of my packages (even over $200) got slapped with a brokerage fee. Customers only pay a few bucks for tax.

[josephine]

Thanks for the heads up on the customs fees bit. We should keep this at the top. So is this customs fees for packages over $200 US a new thing beginning Nov.1,2004? Any links to this?

[shoplineca]

josephine
Customs fees or taxes are subject toi be charged on all items entering the US valued at $200 USD or more for many, many years just as our rate is $20 Cdn for goods entering Canada.

Customs duties are charged only on a few items that are outside of what are defined as NAFTA items plus taxes may be charged by the Federal and/or State governments.

The majority of items that have been shipped into the US using USPS via CP exceedng $200 USD, seem to slip the tax collection loophole, which cannot be said with using couriers such as UPS and Fedex.

In addition to taxes and occassional duties that your US customer may have to pay, they will be subject to paying brokerage handling charges if those goods have been shipped using UPS or Fedex, but not CP/USPS.

If you ship internationally, the amounts that may be imported by your customers to be duty and tax free, vary according to (a) the amount that is being imported and (b) the item.

eBay has a section dealing with customs duties and taxes for many countries including the US.

You cab start here for information on US Customs: http://pages.ebay.ca/help/sellerguide/shipping/customs.html

Malcolm