eBay

rocketscollectibles · ‎02-21-2023

Heard a lot about shipping items with letterpost getting returned and sellers stopping using it past year or so

I still ship all my trading cards with it and never had a single return. I shipped 2 stacks of cards (around 70) maybe 2 months ago, no return, never heard back of the buyer. Package literally had the look of a brick. I'm trying this week to ship packs of protective card plastic sleeves and im more concerned about this one

For people still using letterpost or who used it, what was your returns?

Does customs open packages at borders, also can they keep them?

How much time it takes for a package to return to us? And do you lose your postage?

I'm curious about which items sellers got returned as i never experienced a single one. And also the process if it happen. If anyone would like to share their experience

mrdutch1001 · ‎02-21-2023

Prior to 2022, I was shipping knitting/crochet/cross stitch patterns,booklets,magazines via letter mail to USA. After 3 returns during 2021, that returned to me bearing labels something like "could not be forwarded" "insufficient address" etc, despite having correct/verified addresses ....and the stamps used on the poly mailers in which these items were packaged, were not even cancelled so I don't know if the items ever made it beyond the Canadian border, or if these buyers moved & just didn't bother to provide an updated address or whatever the reason,but I never received any communication whatsoever from the buyers. These items were returned approx. 1 month give or take a day after being shipped. Thereafter, I called it quits on sending such items via lettermail to the USA. I now only ship these materials via Small Packet and/or Tracked Packet.

brettjet38 · ‎02-21-2023

It is against the LAW to ship ANY merchandise via Letterpost through customs, and actively talking about it and breaking the law could bite you in the future...

...just saying.

You also have to have a customs declaration on your package for ANY Commercial items...

Letter-post (includes letters, postcards, and Literature for the Blind)

Documents of no monetary value
- No customs documentation required

no monetary value is the key thing here

You are shipping items you sold, they are GOODS that have to be shipped via a shipping service with all the REQUIRED customs declarations.

Your items can be seized and destroyed, and you could be open to criminal offenses with fines, maybe you should read the rules instead of fishing for "illegal" routes to operate your business.

brettjet38 · ‎02-21-2023

Postal exports overview

Print this page

A postal export is merchandise that’s mailed to another country. Merchandise mailed from Canada to the U.S. or abroad is subject to customs export rules.

Customs declaration

Print this page

All mail containing merchandise must have a customs declaration form completed when sending the item to the U.S. or an international destination (see Completing customs documents). The customs declaration is part of our shipping label and also includes the addressee and sender names and addresses.

It’s your responsibility to make sure you provide all customs documentation and item content information and certificates for the goods you ship.

You must also make sure that the documentation and information is complete, accurate, and legible. Failure to do so may cause us to return the item to the sender at your expense. It could also result in delays, non-delivery, voided guarantees, or fines or customs seizure in the international destination (if applicable).

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/articles/customs-requirements/customs-declarat...?

You are shipping items you sold on eBay, they are GOODS (merchandise) that have to be shipped via a shipping service with all the REQUIRED customs declarations.

So, no you cannot use Letterpost to ship items you sold, you are actually breaking the law...

...and if you do it is at your own risk.

I have sold over 18K items on eBay and I have never EXPORTED even one item ILLEGALLY in over 20 years...

...maybe you need to rethink your business model before you get caught.

brettjet38 · ‎02-21-2023

eBay information section

https://www.ebay.ca/help/selling/posting-items/setting-postage-options/international-postage?id=4182...

Customs

Government customs agencies is a government agency responsible for regulating shipments entering a country. All shipments being sent to and from a country must clear customs first.

Your carrier will provide the applicable forms which you'll need to fill out for international shipments before you pay for a shipping label.

If you choose to send your item with Canada Post, you will be required to fill out a customs form as part of the shipping process. You can find more information on customs forms on the Canada Post website.

Canada Post Website

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/articles/customs-requirements/customs-declarat...

Customs form

All packages now require electronic advanced customs data to meet international regulations, customs and aviation security standards.

Complete an online customs declaration form for each package that is being shipped outside of Canada. Enter shipping and package details to receive a digital barcode. Present this barcode at the post office with your package to submit the electronic customs document.

Complete your customs form below.

Note: You can also prepare your package for shipping in advance, conveniently from home. Create, pay for and print your shipping label online, then drop your package off at any post office Take control with Ship Online!

38e_avenue · ‎02-21-2023

@brettjet38 wrote:
I have sold over 18K items on eBay and I have never EXPORTED even one item ILLEGALLY in over 20 years...
...maybe you need to rethink your business model before you get caught.

We are glad you never ship illegally. Would you please share with us the name of the carrier you ship with? You sell $2.99 items and charge $2.49 dollars for the shipping. Since the shipping of such an item in a letter is illegal, you surely send it as a parcel. Canada Post would charge around $20, so you must ship with another carrier, right? We all here wish to ship with this mysterious carrier, too. Please share.

fh991586 · ‎02-21-2023

His shipping rate for selling out of Canada is different, just in case you didn't check it out... 🙄

brettjet38 · ‎02-21-2023

Thats shipping within Canada using LETTERMAIL, which is PERFECTLY legal.

This item is also flat and less than 20mm thick, unlike yourself I think...

Shipping internatinal using LETTERPOST is ILLEGAL

Maybe you should actually read what we are discussing here. not the brightest bulb eh!

But thanks for pointing out my fair shipping rates within CANADA!

38e_avenue · ‎02-21-2023

@fh991586 wrote:
His shipping rate for selling out of Canada is different, just in case you didn't check it out... 🙄

Yes, I "checked it out", but shipping a merchandise in a letter IN CANADA is illegal, too - right?

mrdutch1001 · ‎02-21-2023

My best guess is that since these are storage boxes that when laid flat can ship lettermail WITHIN CANADA

and Shipping to USA is stated as Small Packet

brettjet38 · ‎02-21-2023

Exaclty!

But TROLLS never read they just jump on the "trollwagon" like @38e_avenue

marnotom! · ‎02-21-2023

I don’t think there’s anything illegal about exporting merchandise as letterpost; it’s just not conforming with Canada Post/Universal Postal Union guidelines. I don’t think those guidelines carry any legal weight.

brettjet38 · ‎02-21-2023

No. not at all

You can ship using oversize lettermail upto 20mm thick.

38e_avenue · ‎02-21-2023

@marnotom! wrote:
I don’t think there’s anything illegal about exporting merchandise as letterpost; it’s just not conforming with Canada Post/Universal Postal Union guidelines. I don’t think those guidelines carry any legal weight.

Concerning the CP Letterpost, it's not clearly stated in the guidelines, so I contacted CP agent. It's confirmed, that it's LEGAL to ship a merchandise within Canada. My mistake!

brettjet38 · ‎02-21-2023

No, it's ILLEGAL to ship ANY merchandise using letter-post internationally including the USA

You must also make sure that the documentation and information is complete, accurate, and legible. Failure to do so may cause us to return the item to the sender at your expense. It could also result in delays, non-delivery, voided guarantees, or fines or customs seizure in the international destination (if applicable).

It is actually a criminal offense

https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-83-807/FullText.html?wbdisable=false

flipistics · ‎02-21-2023

@38e_avenue wrote:
@fh991586 wrote:
His shipping rate for selling out of Canada is different, just in case you didn't check it out... 🙄
Yes, I "checked it out", but shipping a merchandise in a letter IN CANADA is illegal, too - right?

You can ship anything in Canada via oversized lettermail (that isn't dangerous to the postal workers or equipment) and fits within the size and weight limitations. I think there's a few additional laws for adult material and things like that. Many other countries don't allow it, but they also have small package rates which we do not.

dinomitesales · ‎02-21-2023

To answer OPs actual question with my own experience.

Similar to others I stopped sending sending thin/light items that were obviously merchandise when they started returning them to me. With the exception of thin/light trading cards - when packaged in a plain white envelope they look just like a regular letter and I haven't had any issues (yes yes technically not following the rules, but come on, it's just a paper trading card worth a couple of dollars and the buyer already paid government taxes).

There are still regulars at my post office who ship thicker/bulkier trading card lots in bubble mailers to the States and they continue doing so, so I have to imagine they aren't having any issues.

brettjet38 · ‎02-21-2023

@38e_avenue

You are mixing two things together

Lettermail (Canada) & Letterpost (USA & International) each have a different set of rules and regulations.

38e_avenue · ‎02-21-2023

@dinomitesales wrote:
To answer OPs actual question with my own experience.

Similar to others I stopped sending sending thin/light items that were obviously merchandise when they started returning them to me. With the exception of thin/light trading cards - when packaged in a plain white envelope they look just like a regular letter and I haven't had any issues (yes yes technically not following the rules, but come on, it's just a paper trading card worth a couple of dollars and the buyer already paid government taxes).

There are still regulars at my post office who ship thicker/bulkier trading card lots in bubble mailers to the States and they continue doing so, so I have to imagine they aren't having any issues.

I ship all my bubble mailers to US by CP Small Packet ($10) or ChitChats Thick Envelope ($7-8). The postal clerk at the counter once asked me, why I do not ship like others (CP Letterpost - $3). I explained I need to provide tracking to maintain my Top Rated Plus at .COM, so Letterpost is not an option.