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Shipping to Canada?

by kda1
12 replies
My products are sold to people in the US. I was considering shipping to Canada but the customs forms and higher postage rates present some difficulties.

Do you ship to Canada? Which shipping service do you use? USPS? UPS? FED EX?
#canada #shipping
  • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
    All of the above, but the USPS will generally have the best rates.

    Customs regs are a disaster.

    I got an order for some butter imported from Germany the customer wanted shipped to Canada. So after years of doing this I knew it would be best to call the Canuck Customs first instead of losing a bunch of money having the shipment confiscated.

    The customs officer said I would need documentation for the butter that included a veterinary disclosure going all the way back to the mother of the calf who provided the milk used to make the butter.

    I kid you not.

    ~Bill
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    • Profile picture of the author kda1
      That was certainly very troublesome for you.

      I wish things were more simple. There's an entire market in Canada awaiting me.
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  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    What are you shipping?

    Jeff
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    Turn Your Knowledge Into High-Paying Digital Products To Sell Online
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    • Profile picture of the author kda1
      What am I shipping? Take a look at my web site....it's in my signature.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alcon
    I prefer shipping with UPS, but the main thing is just make sure your product can clear customs easily.
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    • Profile picture of the author kda1
      UPS is great! I probably would have to double the price of my eBook Ring just to recover the costs involved in shipping, handling and Customs forms.

      Thanks for the ideas
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      • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
        Originally Posted by kda1 View Post

        UPS is great! I probably would have to double the price of my eBook Ring just to recover the costs involved in shipping, handling and Customs forms.
        Let me throw this idea out to you and perhaps it has merit.

        When you ship individaul packages across the border into CA you will indeed need to fill out a customs form for each package. You'll also need to pay the extra $5 or so in postage per each package sent individually.

        The small USPS Flat Rate box will be a good choice for this product if you choose that route.

        However...

        The cost will kill your sales.

        A better plan...

        Find someone inside Canada to be your distributor and bulk ship the product to them. This way there is one customs form to fill out for the bulk load (time is money), and the postage to your customers will be cut in half. Add in a small price increase for your Canadian customers to give to your distributor.

        This assumes a small scale distribution, but if your CA distributor will ship a bunch of them, the cost of them dropping the items off at the CAN post office (if that's what's happening) will be amortized over the number of units. (One trip to the post office to deliver 20 units, as an example).

        The bottom line...shipping individual $5 items across the border is a tough way to go. Try to picture pallets of your product being shipped. Then upscale your distribution model.

        Best of luck,

        ~Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author funkynassau
    I'm in Canada and we dont ship to the US because of the hassle and crazy rules, it's not worth it. I sure wish it was, tho, there's a huge market down there I'd like to tap.

    When I order something from the US it generally comes USPS as that's the cheapest method. Tho, we are interested in buying a quantity of airbrushes from the US and FedEx ground is cheaper than USPS!

    Why does it all have to be so difficult?
    Signature

    ChipFixx custom mixed auto touchup paint kits.
    http://www.chipfixx.ca

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    • Profile picture of the author kda1
      I had a good laugh at your comment!! We agree...that's for sure!

      Why is it so difficult? Simple- THE STATE. The government always wants its bribe and furthers nothing concerning commerce but only hinders.

      And for that both you Canadians and we Americans have to suffer.
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      • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
        Originally Posted by kda1 View Post

        And for that both you and I have to suffer.
        No you don't.

        You both have the same problem that can be fixed if you alter your distribution channels. The key being moving your products across the border in bulk.

        Outside of any Gov regs that would disallow one or more of your product to be sold in the neighboring country it's just logistics.

        Both of you need someone inside the other country to handle shipping for you. You sell it on your side, they ship it from their side.

        From where I sit, and without knowing either of you two fine people, I don't know why you two wouldn't open up a dialog between each other about creating a JV relationship where you both gain advantage by using each others capabilities regarding ease of in-country shipping.

        That's how ecommerce works.

        Neither one of you is selling butter...:p

        ~Bill
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        • Profile picture of the author kda1
          Good idea! I like it! That's very smart!
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