Shipping small items to the US?

[eric8112]

First of all, pardon my ignorance since I might come across that way.  I hadn't shipped small items to the US in a little while, and the last time I shipped a video game there, it cost me $5-something (less than $6).  That was maybe 2-3 years ago.  So I went to the post office today to mail a CD to a buyer in the US, which I put in a bubble mailer envelope.  Now, as the attendant told me, I was aware that it would be considered as a package because the envelope didn't contain documents...but then she told me that the cheapest option is Small Packets USA (air) for $8.96.  I kind of hesitated at first since I knew I'd lose money but I bit the bullet anyway since the item was sold and the buyer had already paid.

So...a question for the more experienced sellers: didn't Canada Post use to have a Light Packets USA (surface) option for small items?  Is $9-ish actually the cheapest option for something that small and that weighs 100g at the most?  I can't ever remember paying that much to mail just one CD.  It seems a little excessive to me.

[mrdutch1001]

Light Packet was discontinued January 2018...

Small Packet to the USA: $7.32  for up to 100g.//$8.96 for over 100 g, up to 250g//$11.75over 250 g up to 500 g//$17.50 over 500 g up to 1 Kg//$20.36 over 1 Kg up to 1.5 Kg//$22.78 over 1.5 kg up to 2 Kg.

[eric8112]

Thanks, I wasn't aware it had been discontinued.  That's too bad, it's hard to sell certain items when charging US buyers $10 for shipping, especially when they're used to pay like $2 for the same service domestically.  Thankfully, most items I sell are within Canada, just not that last one.

[flyhooks4less]

Some of your items may fit under 100g, then if you have a small business account with Canada Post you can ship to the USA for $6.90.

[vintagenorth]

Also, In case you aren’t aware, there is no more tracking on Small Pkts to the USA. 

[mrdutch1001]

Small Packet has never had tracking, although at one time it did include up to $100 insurance. However, the newer "Tracked Packet" option is available, but is expensive.

[ypdc_dennis]

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@vintagenorth wrote:

Also, In case you aren’t aware, there is no more tracking on Small Pkts to the USA. 

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According to another poster, tracking on the Small Packet USA barcode will show once it hits the USPS system -- since they tend to be scan happy, and apparently don't hide the results like Canada Post does (back when the CP website did show scans for small packet it was only of the original scan at the postal outlet/office).

-..-

[eric8112]

It's sad that the rates are going up and the level of service is going down.  Unfortunately, there aren't too many alternatives to ship items.

[brettjet38]

As a general "rule of thumb," I use this little saying...

If it's low value, ship Small Packets (Cookie Jar Insurance)

If it's valuable, ship Tracked Packets (Peace of Mind)

If it's rare, delicate, and needs a signature and full insurance, and really, really valuable, ship Expedited Parcel USA (Avoiding a possible Heart Attack)

Shipping is always a risk, but in general, most items arrive in a timely manner.

And, yes I too miss the days of Light Packets...