Shipping to Canada using UPS instead of the post office.

[sasha32h]

We in Canada are going to be dealing with a postal strike ...I need parts from the States but so far have been told by two sellers that global shipping through eBay is the only option they have using USPS.
Are sellers not allowed to ship other ways or what. ??
Who do I contact in eBay to see how to get these parts.

[pierrelebel]

"Are sellers not allowed to ship other ways or what. ??"

Yes, sellers may - if they want to make the effort - change their listings to exempt Canada and allow direct shipment to you.

However, most sellers will not take the time.  They like shipping through GSP as it is easier for them and eBay protects them.

[i.am.vivian]

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@sasha32h wrote:
We in Canada are going to be dealing with a postal strike ...I need parts from the States but so far have been told by two sellers that global shipping through eBay is the only option they have using USPS.
Are sellers not allowed to ship other ways or what. ??
Who do I contact in eBay to see how to get these parts.

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They lied. Sellers can use whatever shipping services exist. Those 2 CHOOSE to sell only with the GSP because it protects them from false claims and negative feedback.  Either you buy from them with the GSP or find another seller. 

You can always try asking a seller if they will ship by courier. That way you get the item even though there is a CP strike but you will have to pay a lot more for courier. You don't say what the things are so you might have to pay alot for import charges when they arrive too. UPS is about the most expensive.

You could also post to the US boards saying what parts you want, your price range, and ask if anyone knows of who will ship to Canada by FedEx or whatever. 

[dutchman48]

And courier from the US to Canada is very expensive

[west.coast.stamps]

have been told by two sellers that global shipping through eBay is the only option they have using USPS.

They may use USPS to get your purchase to the GPS plant in Kentucky. The postal service is cheap and trackable.

Once there the seller's responsibility for shipping ends.

While GPS usually uses Canada Post for delivery once in Canada, because again it is cheap and goes everywhere, there have been notes that CanPar and FedEx are occasionally used.

USPS will get your purchases to Kentucky. GSP will get your purchases to Canada.

It is up to GSP to find a sub-contractor to get your purchases to you.

We in Canada are going to be dealing with a postal strike

There is no 'strike'. Management is locking out the workers to force them to acquiesce to their demands. Management continues to be paid while the postal service is stopped.

Specifically for you, the GSP will charge you import fees to cover any Canadian duties or sales taxes on purchases valued over $20 (plus a ~$5 service fee).

• This is true of any courier (UPS, FedEx, etc) because paying duty and sales tax on imports valued over $20CDN (~$16 USD)is Canadian law.

That Canadian public servants with CBSA choose to ignore the law, on the sensible basis that it is silly to enforce it when the cost to the taxpayer would be higher than the money collected, is a side issue.

• If you are a business, you cannot claim these fees and taxes since you technically did not pay them. GSP/Pitney Bowes did. And the GSP is specifically not set up for business to business transactions.