Upcoming changes to U.S. and international shipping

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Upcoming changes to U.S. and international shipping -  A Few FYI's - A 2 Minute Read

https://www.canadapost.ca/blogs/business/shipping/upcoming-changes-to-u-s-and-international-shipping...

-Lotz

[pjcdn2005]

I wonder if that means that all international parcels have to be taken to the post office/outlet or if when we print a label online it will transmit the info.  They already scan the bar code for small packet at the post office now so I’m a bit confused as to what the change is.

[ypdc_dennis]

Some highlights:

Xpresspost – USA and International prepaid envelopes will be discontinued, but you can continue to use previously purchased prepaid envelopes until December 31, 2020.

Electronic Advanced Data (EAD) will be a required part of shipping internationally for 2021.

These new regulations will apply to all barcoded outbound parcel shipments, including:

• Expedited Parcel – USA
• International Parcel – Air and Surface
• Xpresspost – USA and International*
• Tracked Packet – USA and International
• Small Packet – Air and Surface (USA and International)

If paying at the counter (stamps or otherwise) you can fill out the customs form in advance and bring the bar code created with you to the post office.

https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/cdc?execution=e1s1

[pjcdn2005]

@ypdc_dennis 

I thought they started  requiring electronic bar codes for items purchased at the counter a year or so ago?  Or was that just an announcement of things that would come into effect down the road?

[ypdc_dennis]

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@pjcdn2005 wrote:

I thought they started  requiring electronic bar codes for items purchased at the counter a year or so ago? 

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Last one I shipped at the counter this year only required me to fill out the manual CN22 form. It was announced a few years back that the manual forms were going to be phased out.

[pjcdn2005]

Ok thanks!   Based on that, the announcement affects only those who don’t print their labels online.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

You will be able to generate your customs forms at snapship and have them scan your barcode from your phone when you arrive at the depot.

-Lotz

[silverpinups]

So are they discontinuing CN22, Expedited and Xpresspost forms for International packages starting on Dec.31/20? 

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@silverpinups 

 I have a canadapost outlet, a 7-11 and a shoppers and none have had these forms in ages.  The green cn-22 stickers are supposed to be available to order with your solutions for small business account. You may try there to see if they still have stock.

https://www.canadapost.ca/shop/mail-pack-ship/labels-stickers-pouches-and-more/p-543074076.jsf?execu...

https://www.canadapost.ca/shop/mail-pack-ship/labels-stickers-pouches-and-more.jsf?execution=e1s1

-Lotz

[pjcdn2005]

My impression is that they are discontinuing them for all international services including small and tracked packet.

[ricarmic]

Yes this sadly is bad news for me, because I'm a "stamps on the box" kind of guy using the manual forms.

Today when using the manual forms, the PM puts a bar code on the small packets, but I verified today it does not include the customs information. 

Starting January first the change is that the customs information is required as well too.

Today for us stamps on the box kinda people, for things like Tracked etc, we've been doing the online customs form (at least I have).

The problem for me starting January 1st is that the "packaging" time for the small packet stuff is going to increase 5 minutes or so per package. This is a big deal depending on how many SPs I have going out. These days, I've hardly been able to get all the packs up to the PO in time, often I'm having to do 2 mail runs on Mon/Wed/Fri because I can't get them ready in time.

My off the top of my head estimate is that a today normal volume will take me an extra 1 to 1.5 hours to get ready to go.

But because I'm also a detailed kinda guy, I'm going to monitor volumes and actual time requirements per package (I'm worried about non-english address, I get them all the time and one can't use the online tool for them).

My PM is investigating if there's a way around it but from what I read it does not look so.

The sort of good news is that part of the reason I started to split my offerings across both .COM and .CA a couple years ago was in preparation of these kind of changes. What I've already been be doing is putting the smaller stuff on .CA with free shipping here, and some significant amount to USA and International. I then create larger versions, big enough to be worthwhile to fill out the forms to put on .COM  with free shipping there (and to Canada) with extra internationally.

Whilst doing that, I've also had some interesting positive results. Some of my mixtures were traditionally running for $16.99/1,000 and $29.99/2,000 on .COM. The heavily promoted ones and fastest selling were the $16.99/1,000. I split them, with the .COM only being available at the $29.99/2,000 rate and I put the $16.99/1,000 (which is $20.99 $C) on .CA with significant shipping charges to the US.

I only did that recently and so far I haven't sold any of the .CA ones to the US, but the .CA ones have been selling to Canadians of course and internationally. Surprising to me, the volume of sales to .COM haven't really reduced, so I'm selling more stuff quantity/$$ wise for less shipping time and cost! (It costs me almost the same to send 1,000 as 2,000).

So once I've done my details gathering, the thing that will change is the "size" will be increased that gets "moved" to .CA from .COM

Just another thing to "evolve" around......

[hlmacdon]

Manual customers forms are just being phased out so that carriers can provide customs information in advance prior to entry. Net net this is a positive and should help with some of the delays in customs processing as it will allow for identifying packages requiring inspection prior to entry, mirroring the import/export process at land crossings. Frankly I'm surprised this wasn't introduced years ago when ecommerce shipments grew to the levels they did.

[silverpinups]

"Manual customers forms are just being phased out so that carriers can provide customs information in advance prior to entry".

@pjcdn2005 I don't think customers are going to have do their labels on-line as @hlmacdon mentioned above. 

I talked to the Postal Manager today as I was mailing out a package and she said that there are a lot of customers that don't have computers or more importantly printers to print labels. Canada Post will be leaving out a large segment of domestic customers who just bring their packages down to the local Postal outlet for mailing. 

Also when I bring my packages down to the Post Office for mailing the Postal Clerk will upload the information from my package on the their computer for me. 

So it might be just an elimination of the shipping forms.... 

[silverpinups]

The Postal outlet I use is well stocked with white CN22, Expedited and Xpresspost Customs Declaration Forms.

No need for me to order 🙂

[recped]

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@hlmacdon wrote:

Manual customers forms are just being phased out so that carriers can provide customs information in advance prior to entry. Net net this is a positive and should help with some of the delays in customs processing as it will allow for identifying packages requiring inspection prior to entry, mirroring the import/export process at land crossings. Frankly I'm surprised this wasn't introduced years ago when ecommerce shipments grew to the levels they did.

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The UPU has been working on this EDI system for global postal services for a very long time. Like most things UPU it takes years and years to round up the 190+ countries and get them all to agree AND comply.

I agree that this system should significantly reduce customs processing times (eventually!). On the other hand it will make it easier to identify "suspect" shippers or importers including those with a history of "irregular" valuation declarations.

[esclyons]

my postal outlet has had me filling out the customs forms online for almost a year, the small green form would not be allowed .. at first they would manually upload the info, but because of how many i send , i felt bad and started doing them at home, and printing the barcode, and then they just scan it, and print the form..  Just a heads up for people who ship smaller items,,  the new form is quite large, so you may have to adapt your shipping habits, with larger boxes, or envelopes.. so that the new form will fit on it..

[hlmacdon]

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@recped wrote:

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I agree that this system should significantly reduce customs processing times (eventually!). On the other hand it will make it easier to identify "suspect" shippers or importers including those with a history of "irregular" valuation declarations.

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That will be a component given the change to the 22 EURO VAT exemption in 2021 for low value shipments to the EU for example. Having all package data in electronic format will simplify the assessment process and I imagine there will be renewed interest in large packages valued at $5.

[ricarmic]

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@silverpinups wrote:

"Manual customers forms are just being phased out so that carriers can provide customs information in advance prior to entry".

@pjcdn2005 I don't think customers are going to have do their labels on-line as @hlmacdon mentioned above. 

I talked to the Postal Manager today as I was mailing out a package and she said that there are a lot of customers that don't have computers or more importantly printers to print labels. Canada Post will be leaving out a large segment of domestic customers who just bring their packages down to the local Postal outlet for mailing. 

Also when I bring my packages down to the Post Office for mailing the Postal Clerk will upload the information from my package on the their computer for me. 

So it might be just an elimination of the shipping forms.... 

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Yes they put information in manually today but they do not enter in the customs information which is what the new requirement is. (I clarified exactly what info the PM puts in). 

My faint hope is that there is a loophole for computer/phoneless folks that means the PM puts it all in for you. Then of course I have to convince my PM and all the fill-ins that it's a good idea for them to put it in too. PM probably but the fill ins could be a problem, although the PMs here have generally kept me informed of known fill in dates and who so I know what I'm in for. (It is beneficial to be one of the biggest customers in a wee village PO)

[reallynicestamps]

@silverpinups 

If online sales continue as strong as many sellers have been reporting, you may have to reorder.
If they are cheap enough (ie -free) getting what seems to be a three year supply may be gone by July 2021 or sooner.

Crossing all my toes (because it's hard to type with my fingers crossed.)

[silverpinups]

"Yes they put information in manually today but they do not enter in the customs information which is what the new requirement is. (I clarified exactly what info the PM puts in)".

The Postal Manager (the women I always deal with) also enters the customs information ie; package contents, declared valve and if it's a sale or other...  

I send all my packages Track-Packet-USA or Tracked Packet-International.

So I'm not sure if there just going to delete the Customs Forms or what?