Questions about the Global Shipping Program

[kalvin@ebay.com]

Do you have questions about the Global Shipping Program? Please post here & I'll do my best to track those answers down for you!

If you have any comments about the program, use this forum instead.

Thanks,

[marnotom!]

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@muskarulz69 wrote:

I have no doubt this has been answered already so I'm sorry for those who are annoyed. I'd like to know if I buy an item from the USA of about 300-350$ value that uses the GSP, will I have other fees to pay when the item reaches my door? I live in Qc, Canada. Thank you very much

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If the seller does everything correctly, you shouldn't have to pay anything beyond what you pay the seller (through eBay) and PitneyBowes (the administrators of the Global Shipping Program).

However, there have been quite a few posts from buyers complaining about being charged additional fees for a GSP-listed item on delivery and it seems what's happened is that the seller had no idea they were using the GSP or had no idea how it worked and they sent the item directly to the buyer through a carrier that collects taxes, duty, and customs-clearance related charges from the buyer upon delivery.

Many sellers who are aware that they're enrolled in the GSP will note in the listing description that they "proudly" use it, or some such.  Those are the ones who are most likely clued into how the program works and know what they're doing (though no guarantees).

Hope that helps?

[pocomocomputing]

What is the item? Just curious.

One other big issue with the GSP is repackaging at the Kentucky distribution center. Most eBay USA sellers package their items well to withstand the rigours of shipping. However, Kentucky centre will open the package to check contents for customs declaration purposes and/or for making the package smaller to reduce freight shipping into Canada and for shipping within Canada by Canada Post or CanPar or whatever services they use here. There have been horror stories in this topic about inadequate or no packaging materials used to repackage the item and damage or destruction of the item during the trip from Kentucky.

You are covered by the GSP for damages with full refund but you just want the item intact. If the item is fragile, be prepared for issues like damage.

[73vw69]

Do I need to be concerned if I'm not getting any tracking updates?

[pjcdn2005]

It's very common with gsp transactions to not be able to see any tracking updates.

[marrichard-0]

I have a question... i have an item I purchased shipped from the seller to PB... Shows received by PB.. Later on that evening I get a Refund from PayPal for the shipping? I have no idea why.. I contacted the seller thinking they refunded it for some reason but it wasn't them... Does anyone have any ideas? I want to know if it's still coming... Since the only refund I received was from PB for whatever reason...

[marnotom!]

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@marrichard-0 wrote:

I have a question... i have an item I purchased shipped from the seller to PB... Shows received by PB.. Later on that evening I get a Refund from PayPal for the shipping? I have no idea why.. I contacted the seller thinking they refunded it for some reason but it wasn't them... Does anyone have any ideas? I want to know if it's still coming... Since the only refund I received was from PB for whatever reason...

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Just to be clear on this, this is a refund for Pitney Bowes' share of the shipping?

And there's no refund for the import charges?  (Unless the import charges were included in the shipping charge for a low value item.)

And you received no refund for the item itself?

Have you received any emails regarding the tracking of your item?

[muffingirl95]

It says my item was delivered on August 10th.  It says the item was delivered to my front door.  It was not.  I called Canada Post and they told me that the seller has to file a claim with USPS.  I message this seller and told her this & got no response.  However, I got an email from Ebay in the seller's favor.  So, is that it then?  I am out the item & the money??  How fair is that?

[lumbercanada]

Once you paid the con artists GSP there is no other fees. Items under $100 this program is utter garbage. It's only kind of works with larger items..

That being said the GSP program is still a illegal cash crab, charging import fees on items that shouldn't have taxes or import fees in the first place. If it is assembled/made in USA CANADA or MEXICO it is ILLEGAL to be charging import fees and taxes on items!

But ebay says they have nothing to do with it and pitney bowes says they're not a shipper which is BS. So they don't have to follow the LAW. Any other carrier provides DOCUMENTATION for tax purposes you think pitney bowes does? NOPE, so how can one legally claim tax an import fees for business reasons?

You can't, GSP is an absolute joke! Two monkeys in a room saying duh, and fingers in the ears!

Don't expect a real response from Ebay they think they've won. I charge $10 handling fees now for USA sellers and couldn't care less i rip them off! It's a two way street!

[afantiques]

That being said the GSP program is still a illegal cash crab, charging import fees on items that shouldn't have taxes or import fees in the first place. If it is assembled/made in USA CANADA or MEXICO it is ILLEGAL to be charging import fees and taxes on items!

Unhappily you misunderstand the law. Trade tariffs are not the same thing as charging the equivalent of sales taxes on imports. The scheme is not illegal, simply inappropriate in most cases. And there is no law against incompetence.

[darby242]

Hi, on the answer page they tell me the global tracking number given to me,  not to follow, well we can not find it anyway on the tracking number site.

what makes me mad is I  have paid for it.

i want to see where global shipping is at for delivery.

before Canada post picks it up.! 

I think that eBay after everything I have read on community site, ( you have to start action ) on our complaints about this 

program.

ebay .ca why are you ignoring us. Talk to eBay.com.

[femmefan1946]

You are better off if the seller does not use tracking.

If the item is claimed to be lost or late tracking is used to prove delivery (or not). This benefits the seller.

US sellers can use USPS First Class International Parcel to Canada and get Confirmation of Delivery, another service that does not benefit the buyer,  but which often means that Canadian sales taxes and possibly applicable Canadian duty are not charged by CBSA.

If your item is delivered when you are not home, the shipper will leave a note about where and when you can pick up the parcel. Unless you are housebound, this is probably more efficient for you.

Allow 20 days for delivery from North America, 15 days from Europe, and about 30 days from Asia.

[pjcdn2005]

The answer given to you that the tracking number is internal only is not correct. After the item leaves the Kentucky depot you are supposed to be able to see the tracking information from there but for some reason it isn't always updated.  I don't understand why that happens and I know that it is frustrating. If this is the item you purchased on the 24th there is a good chance that it will be another week or longer before it reaches you so I wouldn't expect the delivery in the next few days.

[mater721]

In my one-and-only purchase through GSP, the tracking was relatively accurate. Was pleasantly surprised.

[jennifebon_0]

hi there.

How do i get in contact with the people shipping my item through the global shipping program?  i recently bought an item and part of my address was missing form my shipping info.  i alrady contacted ebay customer service and there was nothing they could really do to update my shipping info.  i also tries to get in contact with the seller but was unsuccessful.  please get back to me asap.

thanks,

Jen

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kalvin@ebay.com wrote:

Do you have questions about the Global Shipping Program? Please post here & I'll do my best to track those answers down for you!

If you have any comments about the program, use this forum instead.

Thanks,

---

[marnotom!]

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@jennifebon_0 wrote:

hi there.

How do i get in contact with the people shipping my item through the global shipping program?  i recently bought an item and part of my address was missing form my shipping info.  i alrady contacted ebay customer service and there was nothing they could really do to update my shipping info.  i also tries to get in contact with the seller but was unsuccessful.  please get back to me asap.

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Hi, Jen.  As far as I know, the only way to get in touch with anybody associated with the Global Shipping Program is to call eBay and ask specifically for a Global Shipping Specialist.  You may have to do this during regular business hours so the long weekend may mess things up for you, but it's worth a shot.  Good luck.

[reallynicestamps]

Jennibon:

On the third hand.

Was your postal code correct?

Was your street name correct?

Are you in an urban area?

If those are okay, and like most shipments yours has been turned over to Canada Post for delivery, there may not be any problem.

Canada Post tends to hire delivery staff who can read.

And your postal code is a postal walk that is not particularly large. A couple of hundred homes, perhaps less.

So your postie may be able to put together your name and your street and deliver your parcel based on that partial information.

BUT

If you are in an apartment building, it is much less likely.

Have you updated your Paypal address? While it does not have to match your eBay address, that is the address your seller (and the GSP) will be trying to deliver to.

Hmm- you could try putting a note on your apartment mailbox telling the postie that you are expecting a parcel and he should leave it at the postal outlet for pickup.

I'm willing to be corrected on this, but since you need government issued photo ID for the pickup, that should/ might take care of the problem.

[bogdan.r]

the ebay global shipping program is a sham. first of all it is charging additional shipping fees that you are normally paying the buyer in the same time. they claim to take 15 dollars with every 100 we pay for shipping and 10 for importing fees. so how exactly is this working when i purchase a 1000 worth item ? they will take 150 dollars shipping and 100 importing fee ? what shipping will be worth 150 dollars?

i just bought an item with 217 dollars. i paid the seller shipping charge 15 dollars and global shipping 60. in the same time they do not adhere to their own policies since the items are stick in the mail box without signature when delivered.

i will personally email the seller to ask money back for this additional large increase. 

[happyyakman]

I live in Ottawa and I just bought this item from NY: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/221873806652?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT . Right now it's in Kentucky because that makes perfect sense. I've already paid $64 over and above the $15 shipping charge the seller asked for; I'll post again ITT once I get the item.

Edit: I totally do not/not blame the seller for any misery I have related to GSP because the program is so opaque that the sellers often don't realize how miserable the whole experience for us. This is entirely my fault for not negotiating with the seller first and asking him not to use GSP to ship to me, and so now I pay the $64 stupid-tax.

[pierrelebel]

"I've already paid $64 over and above the $15 shipping charge the seller asked for;":

Why did you pay those amounts?

The listing clearly shows a shipping charge of US$ 11.76 and "import charge" of US$ 35.63 (US$29.77 HST to Ontario and US$ 5.86 brokerage (handling fee). Note that the handling fee through Pitney Bowes is slightly less than what  Canada Post would charge you (Cdn$9.95)

So why did you pay $64 over and above the $15?

By the way did you know "domestic" shipping from this seller was "free".

[lorraine_carol]

I can't imagine the headache this is for you. The majority of US sellers do not realize the GSP IS optional, NOT mandatory. Anytime I have cordially requested a seller to remove the GSP, the response has always been 'ebay will not allow it', which of course is not true. If your item was shipped via United States Postal Service you would have paid no extra. Canada has not paid duty for years. As for the tax, parcels randomly are examined. I have made online purchases from the USA from box stores through their online catalogs anywhere from $50 to $200. and have not paid duty or tax. It just depends if Canada Post selects the package for examination. Buyers are going to pay through the nose if any seller ebay or otherwise uses a courier service such as Pitney Bowes, FedEx, UPS for cross border buying. If ebay is not going to abolish the GSP I wish they'd let the buyer have the option to choose it or not choose it upon purchase.