Rules to shipping by lettermail?

[generatorgames]

I am new to selling and am unclear what the rules are to shipping by Canada Post Lettermail. In particular, for items like trading cards and game manuals, can these simply be mailed in a regular envelope with some rigid paper/thin cardstock to prevent damage? Is there anything else I should know that is vastly different from small parcel shipping? Thanks for any clarification.

[space_pirate · Accepted solution]

I've been selling online for 20 years. Yes, of course you can mail such items with regular letter mail. Basic letter mail is a maximum of 0.5mm thick. Oversized is ia maximum of 2cm. Whether within Canada or abroad. Check on Canada Post's website for letter mail postage rates to various countries and the maximum dimensions of regular and oversized envelopes. Don't use cheap envelopes if the item is on the heavier side though because such envelopes might tear easily. Use a padded envelope instead. You can get cheap envelopes of all types at a Dollar store. NEVER buy them at CP. They're way overpriced and it will cut into your profits. If you want padded envelopes that are plastic on the outside, then try to buy them in bulk somewhere. The dollar stores usually don't carry that type (only paper on the outside). As you mentioned, it's a good idea to use some cardboard if you want to keep the product straight and prevent it from being bent easily. As the other person mentioned, some mail carriers don't give a hoot and will use force to bend an envelope anyway just to make it fit into a mailbox. I'd suggest writing "DO NOT BEND" on the front and back of your envelope. Buy yourself a small digital scale that handles up to 5kgs. You can get the Starfrit branded ones for $10 - $15. Canadian Tire often has them on sale. This way you can weigh all of your envelopes or packages in advance and know exactly how much postage to charge in your listing. EBay will automatically run the calculations for packages using Canada Post's rates. However, you have to enter letter mail postage manually based on your item. For letter mail there are 3 rate categories based on weight and measure: Canada, USA and International. In essence you only have to enter 3 separate prices.

TIP: Anything that you send abroad (USA or Interntional) which costs $5.00 or more in postage is not subject to any sales tax. That goes for letter mail or package mail. So don't put $5.00+ worth of stamps on your international letter mail. Go to the post office and pay at the counter. Anything below $5.00 is subject to tax, so therefore you might as well put the stamps on yourself and throw the letter into the mailbox. Domestic postage an any price is subject to sales tax.

ADDITIONAL TIP: Even if the item that you are sending qualifies as letter mail (remember: max. 2cm thickness), it is important to check the package rates in order to compare the prices. When you have something heavy, the package rate might actually be a better deal. International package rates begin with the cheapest service called "Small Packet" - Surface or Air.  If you find out that the package rate is a better deal, then use weight and measure in your listing and the correct rate will be calculated for you. If the regular postage rate is cheaper, then you have to enter the price manually as mentioned earlier.

Don't leave anything up to chance. ALWAYS check the rates beforehand for comparison, and also check the rates for domestic, USA and International. You need to know what the buyer will be charged in order to make sure that 1) it's correct and 2) whether your total price is competitive vs. other sellers with whom you might be competing with.

By they way, it's not just the letter mail that gets split into 3 main categories (Canada, USA and International). This also applies to package rates. The difference however is that the prices vary according to destination. Within Canada the prices goes up the further away the buyer is. The USA has flat rates everywhere. Even to Hawaii, Alaska or Guam. For all other countries it's based on distance or what they charge at their end.

When you set up your listing for package mail do it this way:

Canada - Regular Parcel and Expedited Parcel (Expedited doesn't work in many smaller towns or rural areas)

USA - Small Packet USA Air

International - Small Packet International Air

Same idea for letter mail. Split into 3 since you'll have 3 prices.

Here are some links to get you started:

Compare package mail vs letter mail: https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/business/findARate?execution=e1s1

Stamp prices: https://www.canadapost.ca/cpc/en/personal/sending/letters-mail/postage-rates.page

Starfrit kitchen scale 5kgs. Often goes on sale for about 40% to 60% off. I paid $10 for mine. https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/starfrit-digital-kitchen-scale-assorted-5-kg-0424076p.html

[generatorgames · Accepted solution]

Thank you this was very thorough, especially as I wasn't finding much direct info in other threads.

[space_pirate · Accepted solution]

I'm glad to have been of help. Another thing to keep in mind is that only shipments with a tracking number include insurance. The only exception to the rule is CP regular parcel, but you can add insurance for an extra fee. That being said, it's not worth it to destinations where CP provides Expedited service. The Expedited price is often the same or only slightly more expensive and already includes $100. Thereafter you have to pay more per $100 bracket. I see that you have some items that are larger and more expensive. Sign up for PP and then use that account to sign up for Netparcel (shipping broker). Their UPS rates are better than CP for packages and always include tracking and insurance. Just drop off the package at a UPS store, it's that easy. If you sign up for Netparcel without linking to a PP account then you'll pay about 10% to 15% more. That's what they told me when I inquired. And don't use the rates on their website (without an account login) as a guidline because they're also more expensive than the rates you see with a logged in account. https://pp.netparcel.com/home.action. I've been using them since last summer and have dumped CP completely for all packages destined to Canadian or US locations in larger metropolitan areas. CP and USPS cannot compete. Since we can't link the Netparcel account to eBay, just use the regular CP rates in your listings. After you sell something, log into Netparcel and check the UPS rates for comparison. If UPS is a better deal then go with it. Even if it's a bit more expensive in certain cases. They're faster, more efficient and they ALWAYS scan their packages. Most of time you'll see that the UPS rates are about equal or cheaper. Right now I'm sending a small package weighing 160g from MTL to Chicago for $9.40 with UPS. CP small packet = $9.70 (no tracking) and a tracked packet = $14.00. All prices include tax and fule surcharge. If I send the same package to California it will cost about $9.70 with UPS.

[generatorgames · Accepted solution]

This is great, thank you. I was just doing the default process I remembered when listing items with shipping last time around, which I realize now can be pretty costly especially in the long term. I have had pretty awful experiences with Canada Post as a buyer (multiple parcels not arriving and sellers thankfully refunding me) so I definitely don't want to experience that on the seller end as much as I can avoid it. It's kind of comical that Canada Post wouldn't just always have tracking for their own use at the very least, but I guess it's us who pays. Thank you again, will look into signing up for netparcel tonight.

[jorstev-5425 · Accepted solution]

What about when a buyer doesn’t receive the item?? I’m running into that problem. They want me to add tracking to the lettermail which you cannot do…

[richardcm]

Lettermail is within Canada. Has a 2 cm thickness limit. Weight up to 500 grams. No delivery confirmation so expect some items to be falsely claimed by buyer as Item Not Received.

Lettermail can contain paper or goods within Canada. You can use regular envelopes, padded envelopes, even small boxes. As long as they are under dimensions and weight maximums.

Letter post is the name for letters outside Canada. USA, rest of world. Same rules for dimensions and weight. However it is supposed to be non commercial goods and paper like documents. Never enforced much but world mail systems may enforce much more today.

Many sellers disregard the rules for non commercial goods. Use at your own risk.

When mailing items avoid the post office counter because they will check packages for Lettermail and Letterpost. They have a thickness template to check 2 cm thickness. They will ask what is inside package.

Have postage stamps at home to make the various rates and a tape measure and weight scale. Drop in the nearest corner box or box in front of post office.

You can buy “discount Canada postage stamps” on eBay at about 60-80% off face value and often no sales tax. So you save roughly 50% off the cost of lettermail in Canada

Others will post more information.

[generatorgames]

Thank you so much for this answer! I can't seem to accept multiple answers but thank you, it's greatly appreciated.

[barrhavendrumguy]

Where do I find these; "discount Canada postage stamps" on eBay???

[rcrawford34]

I sell Old Postcards and have sent about 15,000 plus through the mail.

My cards are sent in  Non Acetate Post Card Sleeves  (Could be plastic but not advisable to leave them in that material it can damage the item over time).  The Non Acertate sleeves are used to store postcards but also can prevent water damage if the mailing gets wet or damp.  I place them between double sided thicker Cardboard and they are sent in a Size 0 Bubble Envelope.   The Envelope is stamped Please Do Not Bend.

I can send approx 10 to 12 cards in one mailing.   The cost for this as a Oversized Envelope is $2.20 within Canada and approx $3.10 to the U.S 

 The only  damage I had occur was on 3 expensive cards  sent as one mailing. It was the stupidity of the Mail carrier with these.  He/She folded the envelope in half to put it in the mail box.  

weavers

[generatorgames]

Thank you for the answer! I'll be following your method, a lot of good tips on preventing damage.

[femmefan1946]

The BEST stiffener in an envelope is corplast, which is plastic cardboard. You see it used in signs. It is relatively expensive but very rigid and lightweight.

You might find offcuts at a good price at a sign shop.

Corrugated cardboard is best used as a sandwich with one piece at 90 degree from the other to prevent folding.

Stiff card can be used alone or in a sandwich, but before you use it, try to fold it. If it folds, don't use it even in a sandwich.

I don't much like bubble envelopes which offer less protection against folding than the stiffeners and are thicker which means we are approaching the 2 cm thickness limit.

I do like poly envelopes because they are waterproof. 

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/100-6X9-Poly-Mailers-Bags-Shipping-Envelopes-Self-Sealing-Mailers-Bags-CANAD...

These may not be the best deal but they are a decent deal.

[generatorgames]

Thank you for the answer! I'll check out the materials you mentioned. Much appreciated.

[byto253]

Agree on bubblers being pretty thick. If adding some protection but not stiffness, the dollar store may have small sheets of foam. One on each side of a video game and it fits 2 cm when a bubble would not.

[intimewithmusic]

Note to drwkny2

  By the way,  I should mention your listings are a lot better than  mine when I started.  Good photos too. Way to go!

InTime

[generatorgames]

Hey, thank you so much! I'm just learning, so the compliment means a lot.

[intimewithmusic]

I hope I can attach a photo this way! Sorry if this doesn't work.  Here's a photo of Ram Board and it's weight and cost per cut 9" x 12.5" piece. It's fairly easy to cut with a heavy duty blade. It's a little thicker that 1 mm.  Comes in 50' & 100' 38" Wide rolls at Home Depot.

DSCN2001.JPG ‏2713 KB

[intimewithmusic]

I agree about  using Corplast but as well as being expensive it is fairly thick. It consumes valuable "real estate" in your package. As an alternative I use "Ram Board" which is much thinner and very tough. It's a construction product used to protect hardwood floors from damage. It has no "grain" or flutes like cardboard so it makes no difference which way you put it into the envelope. It's very strong and resitant to folds. It does add a bit of weight. I use it for all my expensive paper items that are already protected by acid free backers and plastic sleeves. Ram Board can be purchased at Home Depot in 2 different sized easy to store rolls. One size  is about $35 and the larger is about $60 but works out to be muchcheaper per square foot.  When cut into 9" x 13" sheets the approx cost per sheet is 35 cents. Be sure you get Ram Board and not the cheaper paper "sheathing" which is too flimsy. 

[femmefan1946]

Interesting. I was concerned about it coming in 'rolls' but I see how once flattened it would be rigid enough to be unfoldable.

[intimewithmusic]

It does have a slight curl when you unroll it. so far for magazines etc that's not a problem. I'll try to post a phots somewhere here. I'm starting to sell high quality enlargements of photos I took while working on stages. 12x16s and 12x12s. For those I put a very heavy iron vice on top of the Ram Board for a week or so to flatten them out. Ram Board is slightly thicker that 1mm.

[femmefan1946]

I'm going to add foamboard to the stiffeners that work well and are very lightweight. Again, price is a question. I used to harvest corplast from abandoned signs after elections, but politicians seem to have become much more eco-conscious than they once were.

[intimewithmusic]

Yes light is good. Most of my stuff runs over 300 grams so the 50 g from Ram Board makes no diff to the postage. I like your idea of the corplast for my flat 12 x 16 shipped photos. Lots lighter than Ram Board. Will try that. thanks!

[generatorgames]

Hey, thank you for this tip, I've never heard of ramboard and will be looking into it. The photo went through well. Thank you again!

[kh-leslie]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.