Shipping to the US via Shippo

[ericsells75]

Hi All,

I'm just dipping my toe in the water by including the US in my listings and my first sale has been a bit confusing so before I open up my other items I thought I would ask here. 

So I made a sale to the US and went to Shippo to print out my label as per usual. However, on the label in the customs section it had the title of my item from Ebay, the lady at the post office said that was weird - should I be changing the description before printing?

Also it printed out a Commercial invoice but no instructions what to do with it, again the lady at the post office suggested I put it in the shipping envelope along with the label and send it off. 

So the post office didn't really seem reassuring that they knew what they were talking about and I have found conflicting info so I come to the experts. 

Should I be editing the description before printing the label? and what should I be doing with the commercial invoice?

Thanks!

[reallynicestamps]

Since the title tells your Searching buyer what you are selling, the same title should be equally clear when transposed to the shipping label.

But you can change it if you want, when you get to the label.

For example, I was sending a political science text to Pakistan, and rather than the title, I changed to Used Book- and the author's name. 

Pakistani politics can be fraught.

You could also add the HS code, if the label does not already demand or include that.

Here is where you can find that:

https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/wtz/business/findHsCode?execution=e2s1

I keep a list of the most common ones in my daybook for convenience.

[ericsells75]

Thanks, what about the commercial invoice?

[pjcdn2005]

I always change the description on the customs form. Instead of Mens Coach Leather Wallet....I just put wallet and then use the HS code to indicate the material that it is made of.  In most cases the item is below the duty required threshold ($800 in the US) so customs doesn't need a whole lot of information.   For jewelry I would put fashion accessory and the correct HS code.   I've lost track of whether or not HS codes are required now but I have a list of the ones that I commonly use so it is easy enough to fill in.   You definitely don't want to be too specific on the customs form if you are sending an item like a cell phone, camera etc. Customs officers need to know what it is in the package but no one else does.

I've never had a commercial invoice print out when I've done a Shippo label.  If you are using the new interface, perhaps it is a setting that can be turned on and off?? I know that some provide some type of invoice for the outside of the envelop and put it underneath the label in the label envelope but I haven't done that in the 15+ years that I've been selling here.   I do provide a packing slip inside the package so that the buyer knows who sent the item.

The window envelopes that sellers use for their labels can be ordered online for free at Canada Post...they are called labelopes.

[lucitabby · Accepted solution]

I always change the ebay listing which comes up. For example instead of the name of the book and the author and 1st Edition, etc., I just put Book. Always use a HS code. I do this on Shippo, Paypal or Canada Post websites for printing labels. I actually prefer Paypal for my shipping labels.

I never use a commercial invoice.

[2nd-time-around-jewelry]

This is my first time making a label on Shippo to send to the US.  Have done a few for Canada with no problem.  I always made my labels through PayPal before Managed Payments.  And it was really easy to fill out the customs declaration.  Shippo is more confusing.  Has so many options that are not applicable.  Could someone please tell me where to put the HS code on a Shippo label. I see no place to put it.  Thanks

[pjcdn2005]

When you are doing the label, click on the item title that is written on the label and it will bring up the screen so that you can add or change any custom info including the HS code.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@2nd-time-around-jewelry 

It's a little different now. Just click on your item description and add/modify as required. Update unit weight of item before packaging. The country the goods were made. You may need to shorten/condense the description. HS code is towards the end. Lat field is not required. Save your updates. Remember to correct final package weight if it has changed from your original listing details.

-Lotz

PS. The top part (Customs Tab) can be updated to change refuse/return based on your preference if item is not deliverable.

[2nd-time-around-jewelry]

Sorry but I can't find a line that asks for the HS code. Under add items to customs I see these 3 choices to fill out - SKU - Tariff Number - ECCN/EAR99.  Is one of these the same as HS?

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@2nd-time-around-jewelry 

Tariff # and HS code would be the same thing. Wasn't able to open any of current listings to confirm the precise format. Format for new system is XXXXXX with no dot, dash or space included. If you put in any other format it will give you an error message when you attempt to complete.

-Lotz

[2nd-time-around-jewelry]

Thank you. I put in the first 4 numbers, then a dot & then the last 2 numbers & it wouldn't accept it. Now I know why. 

Also, doesn't Shippo charge you right away for each label?  I have made up a few labels but received only 1 invoice receipt & 1 charge to my credit card. I should have had 3.

[ypdc_dennis]

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@2nd-time-around-jewelry wrote:

...  doesn't Shippo charge you right away for each label?  I have made up a few labels but received only 1 invoice receipt & 1 charge to my credit card. I should have had 3.

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How often will I be charged/billed/invoiced?

Label purchases will accumulate until you've either:

• have bought more than $100 worth of labels (more than $25 when starting), or
• seven days have passed since your last invoice.

An invoice will then be produced, and your payment method will be charged. Any label purchased since your last invoice or refunds that have been credited will be included on that invoice. 

[kawartha-ephemera]

Two thumbs up for lucitabby's response. Definitely edit the pre-filled description.

Customs officials are not interested in knowing the brand, size and colour of the widget. The description should be only a few short words to get across what sort of item it is and what materials it contains.

Place the most important descriptors first.  A few examples might be;

Vintage belt, alligator leather

Used book, hardcover textbook

Magazine, back issue

Clock, antique mechanical, wood case, brass 

Ideally, the HS code supplied should match the description. It is not always so easy to know what HS code is the best fit.

[reallynicestamps]

If you really can't find where on the label to enter the HD code, don't worry about it.

Take a pen and write it on the parcel.

Sometimes it's easier not to keep trying.

Also with a pen you can make the code large enough to read and be sure that it will appear on the parcel.

[2nd-time-around-jewelry]

I found it now.  Lotz said that Tariff is the same as the HS code but you can't put any dots between the numbers.  It now worked for me.

[mthgoodtrades]

How/where do you indicate that taxes have been collected by eBay (in the case of Canadian shipments to the US), or do you even have to? eBay indicates that "We remit this tax to the tax authorities in accordance with applicable law." Is that something that needs to be reflected somewhere in the shipment or is it sufficient to include the packing slip in the package?

[pjcdn2005]

It doesn't need to included in the shipment. The tax is a state tax so it has nothing to do with customs and would not be collected at the border if it wasn't paid.  If the buyer needs a record of it, they can get that from their purchase history.   A packing slip isn't usually used for tax purposes.