So how is someone supposed to enter HTS and CoO codes when using the CP online customs form?

[fergua3]

And where does one even look up the codes?  Every Tom, Dick and Harry sending something to the US has to enter these codes that they have never even heard of.  

[byto253]

If going through the desk at a postal outlet, I know that they have to fill in the CoO in their system, so tell the clerk what the country is so they can do that.  Not sure if they can do the HTS code there or not.

Can you wirte, or print out a small label with the COO and HTS code on it and tape it to the package?

[dinomitesales]

This is a deficiency of the Canada Post online customs form - there is no spot for country of origin or HS code. It can be added manually by the clerk though; just give them the relevant information when they're processing the transaction and they can fill in the fields on the customs declaration.

Canada Post's tool is a good place to start if you need to look up an HS code.

[fergua3]

ah, ok, thanks.   Not sure if i am even going to bother selling to the US anymore but if i do, at least i know what to do, sort of.    Where do i find CoO codes?

So i gather there will be no forgiveness or tolerence for packages that were shipped prior to these new rules in the US?  A package mailed just before the change will of course not have HTS or CoO on it and will just get rejected?

And what about lettermail?  Is every letter, post card and birthday card sent to the US also going to be rejected?

What an absolute fiasco.

[fh991586]

Lettermail isn't assessed for duty because it's not supposed to contain material, only documents. It's still going through as usual (even from China). It's been illegal for YEARS to send material using the letter format, even oversize...

[mrdutch1001]

"And what about lettermail? Is every letter, post card and birthday card sent to the US also going to be rejected?""

Lettermail is a letter, a card, documents.

And if sellers are including/disguising sold goods, merchandise as lettermail then that's on the seller as that is against postal rules and policies.Those sellers may be in for a huge awakening!

[byto253]

Just to confirm again what @dinomitesales  said, I was just in a Shopper's and the postal Manager checked in the system and there is a spot for them to manually add the HST code, as well as the COO.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@fergua3 wrote:

ah, ok, thanks.   Not sure if i am even going to bother selling to the US anymore but if i do, at least i know what to do, sort of.    Where do i find CoO codes?

So i gather there will be no forgiveness or tolerence for packages that were shipped prior to these new rules in the US?  A package mailed just before the change will of course not have HTS or CoO on it and will just get rejected?

And what about lettermail?  Is every letter, post card and birthday card sent to the US also going to be rejected?

What an absolute fiasco.

---

@fergua3 

Have you considered using eBay labels vs CP Snapship? That would give you access to inputting the required customs information. Address is prefilled and reduced shipping costs with access to Expedited Lite in Canada for under 200 grams and Tracked to USA for up to 2 KG.

If you were to be asked at a SD etc they would only be asking about the contents. Is it hazardous, the value, where was it made etc. Most likely not HS Codes. Some staff can be a bit miffed if there is a line up behind you. Really depends on the clerk. 

Having the HS codes etc helps speed up the delivery/customs process where item is cleared. Reduces the chance of any delays. Let the CP tool be your friend. Good 1 to have bookmarked.

[byto253]

I would expect the SD Postal staff will be very hit and miss depending on who is covering the desk, and as CP is not exactly proactive in its efforts.  The Manager I spoke to today had zero communication from head office, so it will be up to the shipper to ensure that they tell the Manager or clerk to enter in the information.  

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@byto253 wrote:

I would expect the SD Postal staff will be very hit and miss depending on who is covering the desk, and as CP is not exactly proactive in its efforts.  The Manager I spoke to today had zero communication from head office, so it will be up to the shipper to ensure that they tell the Manager or clerk to enter in the information.  

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@byto253 

The rookie-ish clerk I spoke to the other day was barely aware about anything regarding tariffs and/or additional requirements. The regular clerk is a bit more versed. 

[ilikehockeyjerseys]

Another poster made a suggestion to use ChatGPT. ChatGPT is basically an interactive search engine. "What is the HTS code for sending (item name with a country of origin of) to the USA from Canada.

Canada Post also has an HS (not HTS) code lookup: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/information/app/wtz/business/findHsCode?execution=e1s1

If you find the HS code via Canada Post, you can use it to ask Chat GPT what the full HTS code is. I would advise you to read what ChatGPT puts out to make sure it understands what kind of product you are sending and isn't giving you an irrelevant code. But if you already have the HS code from Canada Post, it should be pretty easy. 

[fergua3]

yes i'm well aware that lettermail is just for actual letters,  not merchandise.   But there was a post on here on Tuesday that stated that even letters, real letters, had to have HTS and CoO codes on them.  Has that been confirmed?

It sounds absurd to me

[sin-n-dex]

---

@fergua3 wrote:

yes i'm well aware that lettermail is just for actual letters,  not merchandise.   But there was a post on here on Tuesday that stated that even letters, real letters, had to have HTS and CoO codes on them.  Has that been confirmed?

It sounds absurd to me

---

That's if you're buying your shipping labels from Chit Chats (it was on their FAQ), I'm sure Stallion will require the same thing. I ship stamps in letter sized envelopes to the US (through Stallion), so my letters would have to have a tariff code on them and CoO.

C.

[byto253]

I made sure I spoke to the Manager.  Top tip, avoid lunch time and after 4 pm when the Manager may not be there 😁 😎

[fergua3]

ah i see........so if i just drop a letter in the mail box i don't need the codes?  ie the USPS or US Customs won't reject lettermail without the codes on them?

[hockey-kong]

You can look up the codes at Canada Post and country of orgin is usually pretty easy to figure out, use google and/or the item's manufacturing website.

printed shipping labels through ebay (with Canada post) have a space for both the HS tariff code and the CO orgin.

Can't speak to UPS and Fedex labels because frankly I don't use them due to their cost, and the upcharging they do after the item has been shipped.

[regs43]

---

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

---

@fergua3 wrote:

ah, ok, thanks.   Not sure if i am even going to bother selling to the US anymore but if i do, at least i know what to do, sort of.    Where do i find CoO codes?

So i gather there will be no forgiveness or tolerence for packages that were shipped prior to these new rules in the US?  A package mailed just before the change will of course not have HTS or CoO on it and will just get rejected?

And what about lettermail?  Is every letter, post card and birthday card sent to the US also going to be rejected?

What an absolute fiasco.

---

@fergua3 

Have you considered using eBay labels vs CP Snapship?

---

The info is on the Canada Post website, you just have to look for it when creating a label on Snap Ship, its in step 5 at the bottom of where u enter whats in the package

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@regs43 wrote:

---

@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

---

@fergua3 wrote:

ah, ok, thanks.   Not sure if i am even going to bother selling to the US anymore but if i do, at least i know what to do, sort of.    Where do i find CoO codes?

So i gather there will be no forgiveness or tolerence for packages that were shipped prior to these new rules in the US?  A package mailed just before the change will of course not have HTS or CoO on it and will just get rejected?

And what about lettermail?  Is every letter, post card and birthday card sent to the US also going to be rejected?

What an absolute fiasco.

---

@fergua3 

Have you considered using eBay labels vs CP Snapship?

---

The info is on the Canada Post website, you just have to look for it when creating a label on Snap Ship, its in step 5 at the bottom of where u enter whats in the package

---

@regs43 

For clarification those fields are missing with create a customs form only for printing at depot. As you noted, available with Snapship. One would think the same information would be required using either tool. 

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/information/app/cdc?execution=e1s1