Shipping via USPS from the USA

[jenzaka]

Hello everyone:
As requested I have started a new thread on this topic.

Before the questions start pouring in I want to make it clear that I am not an utmost authority on this topic. We have been mailing our parcels from the States for over a year now and have had no major problems. We usually make the trip twice a week, sometimes 3 times during a busy season.
I will do my best to field your questions and concerns. If I can't come up with an answer it is very likely that I will be able to direct you to a site (or another seller) that might be able to help you.

First of all DO NOT BE AFRAID. I realize that many of you considering making the shipping trip feel that it will not be worth the hassle, even if the savings are significant. In the entire time that we have been mailing from the USA we have never had any major hassle. Occasionally we get pulled over and have to go into the inspection office but nothing has ever resulted in that. The most you have to loose is a few minutes of time and perhaps a $5 fee (that will be explained later)

Your main source of info on this topic should be usps.com Though, of course this does not deal with getting over the border in the first place

This is just a "first post" to get the topic started. I will respond as the questions come in.

Joy

[zarzuella]

I registered with endicia using a US Po box address and my Paypal MC/Debit card.
You may have to get the PO box across the border first - but you will need it as a return address on your packages anyway.

Ann

[mumublu]

I have just started crossing the border to ship my US parcels with USPS.

The first time, I drove across and the person in the booth told me that if I walked across in the future I wouldn't have to pay the $5 commercial crossing fee. It's only a four block walk for me from the parking spot to the PO. I see lots of other Canadians either on the way there or back with various wagon/wheeled conveyances for their packages. If you cycle across, you don't pay the fee either.

[jakeeangel]

Walk across the border with 30 - 50+ packages including some that are 20 and 35 pounds?????????? I don't think so!!!

If you're bringing so few that you can carry them over walking or on a bike, you're wasting your time and money.

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[zarzuella]

In the snow and ice and blistering wind ....

[mumublu]

What snow, ice and blistering wind? You're living in the wrong part of Canada, I think! 😉

I see plenty of sellers toting anywhere from 10 to 100 parcels. None of them (the parcels, not the sellers!) appear to weigh more than a couple of kg though. Some people use wagons, some have small shopping carts, some just carry those big rubbermaid storage bins.

The US PO is a faster trip for me than the Canadian one. And the shipping is cheaper for my buyers, so I wouldn't say I'm wasting my time or energy.

[mumublu]

I do realize that walking across the border wouldn't work for everyone. But I did want to point it out as an option for those of us that can do it.

When I started, I wasn't aware that by walking across I wouldn't have to pay the commercial fee, and I just wanted to make sure that others would have that info to take into consideration.

I get across the border and back in under 20 minutes; it would take me double that time sitting in my car waiting to cross.

[3jcc14]

Hi, I signed up with www.endicia.com. US Address but Canadian Credit Card (in US Funds) without a problem.

[dreamcoll]

I mail from Michigan all the time but walking isn't an option for me, since I have to cross a bridge that doesn't allow any pedestrian traffic. Not that I'd walk even if they did.

[gifts_of_elegance]

For five years I crossed Sarnia/Port Huron border to mail my items from USA without any problems. Then I got into more serious stuff, much more expensive items. Now USA Customs will not let me take anything over. I bought a transponder (they don't sell decals anymore) for my car, did all the paper work they asked. If I went in the morning, they delayed me for four hours before sending me back to Canada, saying that I have not done something right on the paperwork. If I went in the afternoon, they always allowed entry, but only AFTER the Post Office closed so I was faced with the problem of bringing it all back to Canada. When they could no longer find something objectionable on my forms, they decided I was using the wrong forms. (They were the forms they gave me).

After four months, 2 times a week of this hasstle, I asked them "What is it I have to do for you to let my stuff through?" Their answer: Hire a Custom's Broker!

I am surprised that they allow you to take used clothing over. I was told you needed a special licence for that. (not that I ever tried clothing)

[wsboyd]

mumublu,
where R U crossing ?

[jakeeangel]

If you're taking over stuff valued at over $2000 you do need a broker.

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[gifts_of_elegance]

I cross Sarnia/Port Huron.
Yes Jakeeangel, at first that was the rule. They even said I could go up to $500 an item. Then it came down to under $200. Then it had to be from a country on their priviledge list. On and on they went, making up new rules each time. I have been selling on ebay since 2000 and never had any problems taking items over to ship with USPS, but then I was selling small ticket items.

[dreamcoll]

It seems that each border crossing makes their own rules or some just aren't aware of all the rules, etc. I've had differnt crossing guards tell me different things. I would call the head office for customs & get the rules directly from them, since the guards don't seem to know everything.