Dont.
UPS charges approx. $60 in ‘borkerage fees’ and then I pay duties on top of it EVERY time - even of the item is US made.
FedEx seems slightly better.
USPS / Canada Post does not charge.
/rant of frustration over/
I too have learnt this the hard way. Best to avoid UPS and Fedex for cross-border orders. Now I always make certain the seller is shipping USPS
I had no idea. That sucks.
Don’t Use USPS if you can.
Was that “Dont. Use USPS if you can.” If no, why not use USPS?
2 sides of this coin…
1 > Canadians don’t want to get whacked with customs fees on top of what is already a ridiculous shipping charge. I just recently got a quote for shipping a 10lb bike frame (in a tiny frameset box) from Chicago to Nova Scotia. USPS was in the $50 range, UPS/FedEx were $120-$170 range. And then the buyer is likely to get nailed with customs fees. That sucks.
2 > Sellers using USPS can run into difficulties. Paypal now holds $ for 3 weeks, unless shipment & delivery can be verified with the shipper. USPS basically washes their hands with a shipment once it crosses the border. Insurance caps out at $675, and tracking/delivery confirmation are unavailable. So my money is in limbo for that long & I have to hope the package arrives. I can say with certainty that USPS is of no use when trying to track down a lost package north of the border.
So, double edged sword, at best…
As a long time cross border shipper, let me clarify a few myths and help a few of you
The foremost and certainly ridiculous factor that does not change is the cost. We up here joke about “$5 anywhere it the US” the rates are not just affordable, they are reasonable.
Shipping across the border or within Canada’s own borders is a joke.
I shipped a bike from Pembina, ND to LA for 40.00. I just sent a scuba BC (think lifejacket) by BUS (cheapest option) for 60.00 - UPS wanted 120.00 within my own country!!
If you must use UPS there is a very easy (yet involves two extra steps) to skip the brokerage. As long as it is sporting equipment (bikes) and made in the US (big difference if made in China) there is NO duty. The crazy fees they charge over and above their ridiculous shipping is “brokerage”
All you need to do is tell the shipper (US coming into Canada) to write “Clears own shipment” on the box and bill. You need a nafta document - which can be filled out online just saying what it is and where it was made. they ask for a HARM code. Many of those can be searched on the net, and as long as you only do one or two - the customs officers will help you.
The extra steps are UPS will call you when it is in the country, you go pick up the paperwork, clear customs - get that paperwork stamped and go back to UPS. When I was new - it took me an hour, now ten minutes.
Still a huge savings to get the peace of mind of courier though and if you are saving a tonne of money - worth it!!
Another option if shipping expensive bikes is to check with your home insurance. If you “own it” and have a tracking number - several policies will cover it under the normal insurance rules - it means you pay deductible if there is a loss - but it is cheaper that paying big insurance per piece in the long run…
As I stated in another post. If the buyer (in Canada) lives close enough to the border, the best thing for both parties, is to have the package shipped to a US mailing address (e.g. The Letter Carrier in Pt Roberts, WA). Then the buyer just needs to pop across, pick up the package, and declare anything as they come back across. A lot of times, if the dollar value is minimal, the CBSA will just wave you through without having to go pay duties. Worst case, you pay the duty that you would have had to pay anyway. At least you aren’t getting bent over by UPS/FedEx for the brokerage fees.
I shipped a frame US to Canada via USPS earlier this year. It was pretty easy, just had to fill out a form with declared values, whether I wanted insurance, etc. It was actually a lot easier and cheaper than I thought it would be.
Bought a set of brakes for $30 + $23 shipping by UPS. brokerage fees were $38.80. I will never again use UPS and I would recommend others in Canada to avoid them for small packages as well.
I have had no issues with USPS. The majority of my purchases cross the border with no fees at all. I checked with Canada Customs and bike parts are duty free so only tax should be charged
Just yesterday I had to track a USPS shipment from competitive cyclist to Canada. The tracking report said it had been attempted delivery to wrong address. I called USPS and ey advised to call Canada Post. It turns out that CP uses the same tracking number and it was really easy to track my package. So at least time USPS did not really wash it’s hands, just had to pass on responsability to Canada Post which seems reasonable and effective. Turns out I gave the wrong postal code by one digit, totally my fault.
I shipped a frame US to Canada via USPS earlier this year. It was pretty easy, just had to fill out a form with declared values, whether I wanted insurance, etc. It was actually a lot easier and cheaper than I thought it would be.
That’s good to know, I purchased many small things from the classified and avoided larger items items like frames and wheelsets because i always thought it was too much of a hassle for a seller to ship USPS. Do you mind me asking how much it was to ship, I want to get an approx cost on something that large.
Long time cross border shipper here as well.
Pretty much echo what others have said…when shipping US to Canada, always go with USPS when possible.
Also, one other point of clarification… Folks keep saying that they are paying duty…this is -usually- only true when it involves clothing. For bike gear, what you are mostly nailed with is import taxes (essentially your province’s sales tax) on the declared value.
The big differences with UPS/FEDEx are:
- They always charge you the taxes, whereas USPS will let some packs through with no charges…basically they pick and choose, luck of the draw.
- In addition to those taxes, UPS/FEDEX will always tack on their brokerage/service fee, I forget how this is calculated.
I bought a wheelset with a declared value of $350 and paid $47 for tax and Usps shipping and handling. I bought another front wheel for $250 and paid $41 for the same reason. Now I bought a cassette for $165 and UPS was asking me $60. I asked for the paper works and clear it myself in custom and they told me that I would to go to port Perry to clear it there (two hours drive from Toronto). Ridiculous how much extra they add while Canada post or Usps one charge $8.50. I also bought a whole bike and the guy was gonna send it through his lbs which I assume would ship ups, imagine how much I would have to pay for that. Luckily a Facebook friend agreed to have it delivered to her house in Pennsylvania. 4hrs drive but worth the trip.
Saw this today and made me chuckle. The bike would be shipped from the UK so OT but what caught my eye was the amount you had to spend to qualify for free shipping.
Used USPS to ship 4 jerseys to Canada, cost $7.50, got there in a week, no problems!
I live outside of Toronto and for years have always used USPS after getting burned on brokerage fees by UPS once
If you can get the seller to mark the item as “gift” with a stated value under $50 you’re in the clear on taxes / any fees, only downside if you don’t get any type of insurance for damage. I have had frames, wheelsets, cranksets etc shipped this way and never had an issue
Have done many purchases, USPS is the way to go if shipping from US to Canada.
Same applies when ordering from the UK (Probikekit or Chain Reaction), mail is the way to go.
I concur w imc2007, I’ve bought bike frames, wheels, helmets, shifters, the list goes on. I do always request USPS an have only ever had 1 time a package never came.( Seller was great an we worked out a compromise.)
The trick to UPS an FEDEX is to tell the seller u will self clear. Even if u forget, just tell them when they try to deliver it. They will just take it back to the shop. You go down to their office, grab the form, head over to customs, pay them an they stamp ur form. Back to FedEx or ups to get ur package. A little more work, but worth saving the coin.