Comments about the Global Shipping Program

[kalvin@ebay.com]

Feel free to share your thoughts about the Global Shipping Program here. 

A few questions to get the ball rolling:

• What has worked well for you with the Global Shipping Program?
• Any ideas to help improve the experience for Canadian buyers?
• What has deterred you from buying items offered using the Global Shipping Program?
• How have you managed to search for items outside the program?

Please try & keep the comments constructive 🙂

If you have any questions about the program, please post them here.

[lukey9]

I have been on E-Bay since 2001 and in all those years I have never had to Pay Customs  Duties on any  parcels I bought in the US big and small. When I see the Seller has GSP I don't bother buying from them and if it is some thing I need I go else where to get it. So when Canadian sales drop off it will not be hard to figure out why. Here in Canada with the Postal rates going up in March to who knows what we will have enough problems to deal with.

[rick31797]

I've done the number-crunching on a couple of listings from U.S. sellers on Amazon who ship to the United States, and the numbers suggest to me that Amazon is burying taxes and customs-related charges into the price of the item.

NUMBER CRUNCHING  REALLY.....Unless your on the inside looking out i doubt you know what any company is doing, Amazon prices are very competitive, so i doubt very much they have any room in there price to hide taxes and custom related chargers, its all speculation on your part... it like your trying to take the focus off the GSP, have to wonder by your posts if your not affiliated, with softening the GSP Debate.  

[marnotom!]

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@rick31797 wrote:

NUMBER CRUNCHING  REALLY.....Unless your on the inside looking out i doubt you know what any company is doing, Amazon prices are very competitive, so i doubt very much they have any room in there price to hide taxes and custom related chargers, its all speculation on your part... it like your trying to take the focus off the GSP, have to wonder by your posts if your not affiliated, with softening the GSP Debate.  

---

If you don't believe me, try comparing on Amazon.com versus Amazon.ca the same item sold by the same seller.  I'm having problems doing that now, so perhaps Amazon has "figured out" what I've been trying to do.

You don't have to believe me, but I compared a smartphone sold by the same seller on Amazon.com to the same smartphone sold by the same seller sold on Amazon.ca.  The differences were that the Amazon.com item was "fulfilled by Amazon.com" while the Amazon.ca item was "fulfilled by Amazon.ca", the two Amazons had different quantities on hand, and the .ca phone was quite a bit more expensive.  Again, same item, same seller.  Why the price difference?

I went through the checkout process on Amazon.com to see what would happen and the site wouldn't let me purchase the phone.  I went through the checkout process on Amazon.ca and neither GST nor PST showed up on my invoice.  I'm in BC and I should be charged those taxes for a smartphone.  Why wasn't I charged those taxes?  The only conclusion I can come to is that those taxes plus any other sundry charges Amazon levied for shipping it to and storing it in a Canadian warehouse were added to the price of the phone.

Go to other "etail" sites if you don't like paying GSP charges, but I'm betting Canadian dollars to Tim Horton doughnuts that you'll likely be paying "import charges" in some way, shape or form.  Some sites such as The Gap give buyers the option of buying their items through the States or through their Canadian division.  The U.S. sites levy GSP-type fees and taxes and once I've compared the final charges of items purchased on those U.S. sites versus the Canadian sites, I've found that the difference between the two is negligible and likely due to the exchange rate.

[marnotom!]

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@lukey9 wrote:

I have been on E-Bay since 2001 and in all those years I have never had to Pay Customs  Duties on any  parcels I bought in the US big and small. When I see the Seller has GSP I don't bother buying from them and if it is some thing I need I go else where to get it. So when Canadian sales drop off it will not be hard to figure out why. 

---

You're assuming that the GSP is being adopted by established sellers who have shipped internationally in the past and have decided to trash direct shipments to their non-U.S. buyers through the postal system, and I don't think that's the case at all.  

My sense is that most sellers using the GSP either aren't aware that they've opted into the program or else they haven't shipped internationally in the past and they're giving it a whirl thanks to the incentives eBay has offered adopters of the program. Canadian sales won't drop off for these sellers because they've never had Canadian sales in the first place!

I would advise those who are going to avoid purchasing from the US because of the GSP that all they're going to do is possibly hurt sellers who are still shipping directly to Canada through the postal system.  I say "possibly" because my sense is that sales to Canada don't make up a huge proportion of most US eBay sellers' sales.  We need them more than they need us.

[rick31797]

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@marnotom! wrote:

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@rick31797 wrote:

NUMBER CRUNCHING  REALLY.....Unless your on the inside looking out i doubt you know what any company is doing, Amazon prices are very competitive, so i doubt very much they have any room in there price to hide taxes and custom related chargers, its all speculation on your part... it like your trying to take the focus off the GSP, have to wonder by your posts if your not affiliated, with softening the GSP Debate.  

---

If you don't believe me, try comparing on Amazon.com versus Amazon.ca the same item sold by the same seller.  I'm having problems doing that now, so perhaps Amazon has "figured out" what I've been trying to do.

You don't have to believe me, but I compared a smartphone sold by the same seller on Amazon.com to the same smartphone sold by the same seller sold on Amazon.ca.  The differences were that the Amazon.com item was "fulfilled by Amazon.com" while the Amazon.ca item was "fulfilled by Amazon.ca", the two Amazons had different quantities on hand, and the .ca phone was quite a bit more expensive.  Again, same item, same seller.  Why the price difference?

I went through the checkout process on Amazon.com to see what would happen and the site wouldn't let me purchase the phone.  I went through the checkout process on Amazon.ca and neither GST nor PST showed up on my invoice.  I'm in BC and I should be charged those taxes for a smartphone.  Why wasn't I charged those taxes?  The only conclusion I can come to is that those taxes plus any other sundry charges Amazon levied for shipping it to and storing it in a Canadian warehouse were added to the price of the phone.

Go to other "etail" sites if you don't like paying GSP charges, but I'm betting Canadian dollars to Tim Horton doughnuts that you'll likely be paying "import charges" in some way, shape or form.  Some sites such as The Gap give buyers the option of buying their items through the States or through their Canadian division.  The U.S. sites levy GSP-type fees and taxes and once I've compared the final charges of items purchased on those U.S. sites versus the Canadian sites, I've found that the difference between the two is negligible and likely due to the exchange rate.

---

I dont know why you think Amazon USA prices should be the same as Amazon Canada...Amazon Canada is a bit of a joke compared to the American Amazon, which you can buy darn near anything at good prices..

It is a known fact you can just buy Cheaper in the USA, and this has nothing to do with the brick and mortar stores or on line.. The difference in price comes from the manufactures themselves .. For some unknown reason, they mark up there product for Canadian stores.. Market place could not get a clear reason why..the best they could get was.. Because we can...

Go to TARGET CANADA  and a shirt costing 29.95 will cost 19.95 in TARGET USA, I don't believe there are hidden charges..Just so hard to buy from a store in the USA, they want a min purchase, most times they ship fedex or ups... but saying that i have never seen a store want import and custom fees up front...like GSP..

[bennett4612]

Hi barbiegirlyn. 

First off, I'm sorry to hear you have had to deal with some damaged items. It is rare that parcels are opened at the US Shipping Center but it does happen on occasion. You can read the basics around why this might happen at the following page:

http://blogs.pb.com/ecommerce/2013/07/17/global-shipping-program-faqs/

Did you file a case on your damaged items? Assuming the item made it to the US Shipping Center ok, you could be entitled to a refund, under the GSP Terms & Conditions. 

Feel free to send me a Private Message if you would like me to look into it from this end (include the transaction #, item #, the email address and eBay id used in the transaction, etc.)

Hope that helps. 

---Ben

[red90rover]

Here is an example of why the system does not work.  http://www.ebay.ca/itm/151169827889?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649  

$30.37 import charges on a $202.50 item.  We have no idea what those charges represent, but I "assume", GST $10.13, Duty $12.15 and a brokerage fee of the remainder $8.09. Or maybe a crazy brokerage fee of $20... I have no clue.  In any case, this item is made in the USA and not subject to duty.  I have no way to dispute the charge as no customs paperwork or contact information for the brokerage is provided.  I'm not even sure if it is legal to not be providing that information.

And I will add my package was also opened.  Calling it "rare" is not being very truthful.

[rick31797]

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@red90rover wrote:

Here is an example of why the system does not work.  http://www.ebay.ca/itm/151169827889?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649  

$30.37 import charges on a $202.50 item.  We have no idea what those charges represent, but I "assume", GST $10.13, Duty $12.15 and a brokerage fee of the remainder $8.09. Or maybe a crazy brokerage fee of $20... I have no clue.  In any case, this item is made in the USA and not subject to duty.  I have no way to dispute the charge as no customs paperwork or contact information for the brokerage is provided.  I'm not even sure if it is legal to not be providing that information.

And I will add my package was also opened.  Calling it "rare" is not being very truthful.

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when i look at the ad it says 202.50 item   shipping is 13.86 which is very reasonable but the deal breaker is 48.20 import charge.

[pierrelebel]

$202.50 x 13% HST in Ontario = $26.33

Brokerage fee (Pitney Bowes) $4.04

Total $30.37 Import charges

I do not know why you "assume" 5% tax in Ontario when the HST is 13%

[segpat2002]

Canada & USA have a few trade agreement. I haven't paid due, for years, for Items under $100. Had to buy two items, from same Seller, to get the Shipping cost, lower, than the cost of the Items. Only will Buy, from Non GSP Sellers.

[rick31797]

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@pierrelebel wrote:

$202.50 x 13% HST in Ontario = $26.33

Brokerage fee (Pitney Bowes) $4.04

Total $30.37 Import charges

I do not know why you "assume" 5% tax in Ontario when the HST is 13%

---

I am not assuming anything when i go to the auction this is what i am told i would be paying, if i bought this item, according to GSP...

Winning bid:

US $202.50

Approximately C $214.22

[ 9 bids ]

Add to list 

No additional import charges at delivery!

This item will be shipped through the Global Shipping Program and includes international tracking. Learn more

Shipping:

US $13.86 (approx. C $14.66) International Priority Shipping to Canada  |See details

Item location:

Tulare, California, United States

Ships to:

United States and many other countries | See details

Import charges:

US $48.20 (estimated and based on current bid)  

Delivery:

Estimated within 7-11 business days 

Includes international tracking

Payments:

 | See payment information

International shipping and import charges paid to Pitney Bowes Inc. Learn More

Coverage:

Pay with  and your full purchase price is covered | See terms

Returns:

No Returns Accepted

[nudibranch4569]

if we all stop buying from sellers using G.S.P.they will get the hint.

[brucem1234]

i AM IN tORONTO AND i HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SHIPPING BUT MY PURCHASE WAS FOR AN ANTIQUE WHICH IS SUPOED TO BE FREE OF DUTY (tHEY CHARGED $16.00).i WILL NOT DEAL WITH ANYONE ON GLOBAL SHIPPING AND YOU CAN GET AN ANSWER FROM ebay OR pITNEY bOWES.

[marnotom!]

I really don't understand what the complaints are about here.  Even taking the GSP shipping and import charges into consideration, that air wrench is still more expensive on Amazon.ca than it is on eBay.  And good luck trying to get it shipped to Canada if you try buying it on Amazon.com.

[barbiegirllyn]

The Seller was not at fault.  They put the vintage Barbie clothes inside a ziplock bag & then put the bag inside a heavy bubble envelope.  Pitney Bowes didn`t need to slice it in the middle, they could have opened the end of the envelope.  Also there was no notes telling me why they had opened the 4 parcels. As I said before I am staying away for Sellers who only ship through the GSP.

Do the Sellers who use the GSP know that Pitney Bowes uses Knives to open the parcels that they ship?

Lyn

[pierrelebel]

Now I see said the blind man.

I missed the fact your post was in fact a quote from the previous poster (Alberta buyer).

According to Ingersoll Rand this tool is "assembled in the USA".  Not sure of the actual country of origin for duty calculation purposes.

[femmefan1946]

Free of duty, yes, but not of HST. Nor of the service charge for transporting your antique from the USA to Toronto, which is usually about $4 to $5.

[marnotom!]

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@pierrelebel wrote:

According to Ingersoll Rand this tool is "assembled in the USA".  Not sure of the actual country of origin for duty calculation purposes.

---

Might be a bit tricky as Ingersoll Rand is an Irish company but it appears that parts of it have been sold off to the Swedes (Volvo's non-automotive division) and Chinese.  Which division is responsible for the tools' manufacturer is anyone's guess, although it looks pretty Chinese to me.

The seller could likely have ensured that correct duties were charged on the item by including its country of origin in the listing.

[femmefan1946]

So you were charged $30.37 import charges on a $202.50 item.

And the listing said

Import charges:

US $48.20 (estimated and based on current bid) 

So you are complaining that you were charged less than the listing said?

Or are you adding in the domestic shipping charges

Shipping:

US $13.86 (approx. C $14.66) International Priority Shipping to Canada

from the seller to Kentucky for trans-shipment to Canada? I agree that is confusing syntax-- at best.

But even if you add both together you come out with more than you were actually charged.

$30.37 + 13.86 = $44.23.

Mind you, I'm dysnumeric and often miss things arithmetical.

[rockroomguy]

I believe this program was designed to be good for anyone using Ebay, who might be surprised they have to oay taxes and duty, but it is absolutely not beneficial for the majority of buyers in Canada.
Completely useless tracking info, with no way to tell which tracking email is for which item, duty being charged on almost everything, even things that duty would not apply on.
Without the GSP, many of my purchases were not charged tax or duty, and with USPS, of course there was no brokerage fee!
All I see the GSP as is an extra charge, extra delay and extra handling on every transaction by a third party with no chance the the item will not be charged taxes and duty on.
I avoid the GSP wherever I can and am going to start contacting US sellers of items I would buy and letting them know that I would have bought their item if they had NOT used the GSP. Maybe in a few years it will go away. I mentioned in my "About Me" writeup that I avoid the GSP. Doesn't mean always, just wherever I can find an alternative, possibly from another country.
Inadvertently, you have made it easier and cheaper to buy from other countries than the USA.
Please get rid of this arduous, awkward wart on the side of Ebay, or at least allow me, the buyer, to opt out of it!
Thanks for asking for feedback though...