eBay

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎11-17-2018

Sorry if it sounded like a very novice question. I never included invoices with my shipment in the past using Canada Post as I consider it a waste of paper and makes my shipment heavier. I usually just put what's in the shipment with the customs declaration form and it has always been fine.

Due to the rotating strike (and getting close to x'mas), I'll be using ChitChatExpress instead with my upcoming shipments. So I was reading their website and it looks like they prefer that we include an invoice, so here is a few questions about invoices...

1. Does it have to be printed from eBay, or may I type my own invoice?

2. May I use my initials instead of my full name? Do I have to include my phone number?

3. What must be included in an invoice? My address, buyer's name/address/phone, item description, item price, sales date, HS code - are these enough?

4. Does the price of every item have to be listed on the invoice, or can I put something general like "used comic books x 10 - $200"?

5. Does both item cost and shipping cost need to be listed separately on the invoice, or would just the item cost suffice?

6. For those who used CCE regularly, do you always include an invoice or you don't bother?

And yes, I did read their FAQ (https://support.chitchats.com/getting-started/frequently-asked-questions/do-i-need-to-include-an-inv...) and my shipments don't "require" invoices but they say it's best practice to include one...

Thanks for any input!

ypdc_dennis · ‎11-20-2018

Does not work with my usual browser, but does work with Firefox 63 Quantum

https://postcalc.usps.com/

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎11-20-2018

No idea how USPS website actually works. CCE website has their own postal label maker so the US address return address etc is prefilled. Their label's CN22 has "Canada" for item origin by default and when I asked if I could write on their label to state Japan, they said it's fine, I don't need to write it in so... Well, I do have my invoice with HS code and item origin inside the package *shrugs*

momcqueen · ‎11-20-2018

Thank you both.

My brain hurts learning this new process like I'm shipping my first package sold on ebay all over again.....

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎11-20-2018

An FYI....For anyone considering using UPS or FEDEX to ship DIRECTLY to the US, please remember customs processing is handled differently compared to Canadapost. Canadapost it is included on the lower value(As per minimus levels) shipments. FedEx Air it IS included. FedEx ground it is either your responsibility or your receivers to have the package cleared as per FedEx posted or discounted rates with an account. In speaking to UPS customer service rates are based on items declared value and by the service you choose for customs clearing. Choosing how an item gets cleared is noted on the actual waybill. As I recall if that check box is not ticked off the fees are the responsibility of the shipper

Have included a copy of UPS Additional Charges link for entertainment/shock value. This is why most Canadian eBay sellers are so dependent on Canadapost!!! (Residential Service $3.60 except on express services)

FedEx Express® International Broker Select

Customs clearance is included with every FedEx Express international shipment, however, you can choose to use your own broker for select services to more than 120 countries, including the U.S. FedEx will tender your shipment to your broker and, at your request, resume the delivery to the final destination.

FedEx shipping tools allow you to enter and save broker information for subsequent shipments to the same recipient.

To use your own broker:

Use FedEx Ship Manager™ at fedex.ca, and choose the Broker-Select option under Special Services. You will then be prompted to enter your broker information.
Use FedEx Ship Manager™ Software, go to the 'Options' tab, and choose the Broker-Select option under 'Special Services'. You will then be prompted to enter your broker information.
On the FedEx Express® Expanded International Air Waybill, select the broker selection box and specify the broker’s details.

UPS Customs Brokerage for Your Imports and Exports

UPS provides a full range of commercial customs brokerage services at exceptionally competitive rates, using state-of-the-art technology. For shipments traveling via UPS Express® Early, UPS Worldwide Express Plus®, UPS Worldwide Express®, UPS Express®, UPS Worldwide Expedited®, UPS Expedited or UPS 3 Day Select®and you save even more as there is no charge for routine customs clearance when UPS handles your imports or UPS Supply Chain Solutions® handles your exports.

Call 1-800-PICK-UPS for more details on UPS Customs Brokerage fees and services for: Importing into Canada via UPS Standard service from the U.S., or for importing into Canada via other carriers Exporting via UPS Standard service from Canada to the U.S.

https://www.ups.com/ca/en/shipping/zones-and-rates/additional.page

-CM

hlmacdon · ‎11-20-2018

@momcqueen wrote:
So. I'm trying to use the Winnipeg equivalent of ChitChat for the first time and it says to buy a USPS label. Fine. Can anyone explain the reason the USPS website cannot seem to acknowledge that this is, in fact, a five-digit zip? I'm stumped. Is it a browser incompatibility?

Also. Why doesn't the 'quickship' tool offer anything except Priority?

Check if you have any extra spaces at the beginning/end of your entry. Just tested here with that pairing and it goes through. If you continue to have issues you may want to look into Stamps.com as they used to offer a free ebay account without monthly fees. I no longer use them regularly and set that up several years back. Reading more recent posts, if you sign up from this page using the get started link, it should prepopulate a promocode on the first page of the sign up process (at the bottom) which sets up the account as an ebay only one and doesn't incur monthly service charges, just the postage label costs.

I use endicia myself, which does have a monthly fee but if the free stamps ebay account sign up process still works that is probably the best "free" option. I still use mine occasionally when endicia has the rare outage. They all have the same commercial base pricing as far as labels go. E-delcon (their version of tracked package) should be available via the USPS Click-n-ship platform as well as all the major third party USPS resellers. Stamps/endicia both work with Canadian credit cards, not sure about the USPS shipping tools.

hlmacdon · ‎11-20-2018

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:
An FYI....For anyone considering using UPS or FEDEX to ship DIRECTLY to the US, please remember customs processing is handled differently compared to Canadapost.

The US de minimis is 800 USD. Brokerage fees should not apply since there is neither duty nor taxes assessed on items under 800 USD. Usually the biggest catches with the couriers are extra surcharges not disclosed until you get your bill.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎11-20-2018

Thanks for the clarification. I stand corrected. That was information I was provided when I called UPS/FedEx this morning. Just located the links with the correct fees break down:

https://www.ups.com/us/en/shipping/zones-and-rates/us-customs-brokerage-fees.page

http://www.fedex.com/ancillary/go/service/

Disbursement fee / Advancement Fee = $7.00 USD may or may not apply

The last time I personally shipped using Fedex for a customer they just gave me their account number and their broker info for the waybill. Shipment was well under the $800.00 amount but was item was required very urgently and they provided out of habit. It's similar to those higher value orders and requiring a Fed Tax ID #(Business or EIN # Individual on the customs invoice. Your occasional shipper is not aware of that specific requirement.

The other surprise extra surcharges (UPS Only) are at the bottom of the original post.

-CM