Yes...another shipping to Canada question

[jbarnett83]

Sorry, I researched but couldn't find how to ship a high end card (value 2.3k) to Canada? I would like to be covered as far as insurance, tracking, sig confirmation. The buyer has asked me to not declare a value on the customs form but I am unsure about that:confused: if I do this would I still be covered?
Also, Would you go through FedEx or UPS and pay ~150 or would USPS be the way to go? (For the item to be ensured do I have to ship registered?) thanks for the help :)!

[Orangejello727]

Its true if you declare the value for insurance, the buyer will be charged duties on the item once received. That call is up to you. What is the value of the card?

Between FedEx or UPS? Fed ex all the way. UPS does not expedite customs once the package hits the border. Which means a 3rd party will handle it on behalf of the receiver. If a 3rd party handles it, they now charge a brokerage fee onto of the duties. That happens on UPS ground. Fedex expedites everything because it flies it over the border which means its all has to be expedited before it crosses.

I would choose Fed Ex all day. I don't know how well you know the buyer. If its not a strong personal and close relationship you trust, Id declare full value.

[AlabamaSlamma]

Sorry, I researched but couldn't find how to ship a high end card (value 2.3k) to Canada? I would like to be covered as far as insurance, tracking, sig confirmation. The buyer has asked me to not declare a value on the customs form but I am unsure about that:confused: if I do this would I still be covered?
Also, Would you go through FedEx or UPS and pay ~150 or would USPS be the way to go? (For the item to be ensured do I have to ship registered?) thanks for the help :)!

Nope. If you try to insure a package for 2,000 but only declare a value of 100, you're covered to 100.

[AlabamaSlamma]

Between FedEx or UPS? Fed ex all the way.

Truth.

[Branesergen]

Nope. If you try to insure a package for 2,000 but only declare a value of 100, you're covered to 100.

This right here.

[jbarnett83]

Its true if you declare the value for insurance, the buyer will be charged duties on the item once received. That call is up to you. What is the value of the card?

Between FedEx or UPS? Fed ex all the way. UPS does not expedite customs once the package hits the border. Which means a 3rd party will handle it on behalf of the receiver. If a 3rd party handles it, they now charge a brokerage fee onto of the duties. That happens on UPS ground. Fedex expedites everything because it flies it over the border which means its all has to be expedited before it crosses.

I would choose Fed Ex all day. I don't know how well you know the buyer. If its not a strong personal and close relationship you trust, Id declare full value.

Nope. If you try to insure a package for 2,000 but only declare a value of 100, you're covered to 100.

Thanks for the quick reply. I do not know the buyer very well except for a few pms back and forth. Value of the card is 2300.00. If I do ensure it does anyone know what customs will charge him? Thinking I can just reimburse him for his customs fees.

[AlabamaSlamma]

Thanks for the quick reply. I do not know the buyer very well except for a few pms back and forth. Value of the card is 2300.00. If I do ensure it does anyone know what customs will charge him? Thinking I can just reimburse him for his customs fees.

Not sure on customs, but I imagine one of our Canadian brethren can help with the calculations.

One point - FedEx offers a "declared value" option, which is akin to USPS insurance on a package. While you can purchase as much additional coverage using "declared value" as you like, sports cards & memorabilia fall under a very broad shipping category (someone dug out the clause in a previous FedEx thread, but I don't have time to search for it right now) where FedEx (and UPS) cap their liability at $1,000. Thus, even if you could provide the PayPal receipt as proof of a $2,300 value, you are only covered for the $1,000. USPS Priority Express International offers coverage of up to $5,000 and is the ONLY international USPS option that provides you with full door-to-door tracking and signature coverage required by PayPal.

tl;dr version - you can insure through USPS, or you can use an arguably more "reliable" shipping service in FedEx if you're willing to assume the risk.

[smalltown]

Thinking I can just reimburse him for his customs fees.

He's going to get dinged just shy of $300.

Duty and tax calculator (http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html)

[Orangejello727]

Thanks for the quick reply. I do not know the buyer very well except for a few pms back and forth. Value of the card is 2300.00. If I do ensure it does anyone know what customs will charge him? Thinking I can just reimburse him for his customs fees.

If its Ontario under NAFTA goods it'll be $393 CDN

$360 CDN to BC
$150 CDN to Alberta

[jbarnett83]

Not sure on customs, but I imagine one of our Canadian brethren can help with the calculations.

One point - FedEx offers a "declared value" option, which is akin to USPS insurance on a package. While you can purchase as much additional coverage using "declared value" as you like, sports cards & memorabilia fall under a very broad shipping category (someone dug out the clause in a previous FedEx thread, but I don't have time to search for it right now) where FedEx (and UPS) cap their liability at $1,000. Thus, even if you could provide the PayPal receipt as proof of a $2,300 value, you are only covered for the $1,000. USPS Priority Express International offers coverage of up to $5,000 and is the ONLY international USPS option that provides you with full door-to-door tracking and signature coverage required by PayPal.

tl;dr version - you can insure through USPS, or you can use an arguably more "reliable" shipping service in FedEx if you're willing to assume the risk.

He's going to get dinged just shy of $300.

Duty and tax calculator (http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html)

If its Ontario under NAFTA goods it'll be $393 CDN

$360 CDN to BC
$150 CDN to Alberta

Yikes over $300:eek::eek: lets say I go with USPS Priority Express but don't insure it. Am I still covered the full 2300 from PayPal if it shows delivered?

[Branesergen]

Yikes over $300:eek::eek: lets say I go with USPS Priority Express but don't insure it. Am I still covered the full 2300 from PayPal if it shows delivered?

If it shows delivered the you are, but you have to have signature confirmation over $750. And are you really considering sending something across borders, into a notorious black hole of lost packages, uninsured? And if its lost, you will eat the $2300. I think insurance for 2k is what $10?

[bma0215]

I've been in this situation before. I'd say, it's case-to-case, depending on how well you know who you're dealing with, the shipping option, the address (if it's in the city or suburbs, higher risk of mis-delivery if the latter). This is how I approach the situation:

1. Full declaration
a) Advantages - full coverage if anything happens to it.
b) Disadvantages
- expensive shipping cost,
- customs duties high,
- may be held by customs, being a non-essential item and who knows what else can happen depending on how the duty officer will categorize it, and
- unnecessarily gets attention because of the value, so susceptible to theft.
2. Under-declaration - Just reverse the above details.

There is always a risk whatever option you choose; it will just be a matter of how much a risk taker you are.

Hope this helps.

[AlabamaSlamma]

Yikes over $300:eek::eek: lets say I go with USPS Priority Express but don't insure it. Am I still covered the full 2300 from PayPal if it shows delivered?

If tracking shows delivered AND THERE'S A SIGNATURE, you're good with PayPal.

If you forego the insured USPS shipping option, go with FedEx signature delivery. Best overall option of the big 3.

[jbarnett83]

If it shows delivered the you are, but you have to have signature confirmation over $750. And are you really considering sending something across borders, into a notorious black hole of lost packages, uninsured? And if its lost, you will eat the $2300. I think insurance for 2k is what $10?

I've been in this situation before. I'd say, it's case-to-case, depending on how well you know who you're dealing with, the shipping option, the address (if it's in the city or suburbs, higher risk of mis-delivery if the latter). This is how I approach the situation:

1. Full declaration
a) Advantages - full coverage if anything happens to it.
b) Disadvantages
- expensive shipping cost,
- customs duties high,
- may be held by customs, being a non-essential item and who knows what else can happen depending on how the duty officer will categorize it, and
- unnecessarily gets attention because of the value, so susceptible to theft.
2. Under-declaration - Just reverse the above details.

There is always a risk whatever option you choose; it will just be a matter of how much a risk taker you are.

Hope this helps.

If tracking shows delivered AND THERE'S A SIGNATURE, you're good with PayPal.

If you forego the insured USPS shipping option, go with FedEx signature delivery. Best overall option of the big 3.

Thanks everybody, I really do appreciate the feedback and advice. I have a good understanding now and just need to make a decision.