US postage to Canada

[winniescards]

I know this topic has been beat to death.I understand that postage rates have taken a big jump in the US for items being shipped to Canada.But I received a card in the mail today.From California.It was in a large padded envelope with only $2.05 postage.How does that work? Just curious is all.Thanks,Winston.

 

[99wgretzky99]

It may vary by state to state. That's my guess. I recieved many packages from the States, all around the $7 mark.

 

[BillInDallas]

Up until very recently, I was able to send single cards or sometimes up to about three cards via USPS International Large Envelope/Flats rate. The charge was about $2.30 or so a package vesus the $6.16 rate. Around the beginning of this month I had about 6 packages returned saying that they were parcels not flats. From my shoddy memory, the criteria for Large Envelopes/Flats was that the length and width were something that all bubble mailers (even larger ones) would fall into. But then there's the more stringent criteria. From 1 inch inside the outside borders of the envelope, the thickness can not exceed 3/4 inch and any changes in the thickness can not then vary by more than 1/4. Additionally the package must be bendable. For me my packages were failing on the bendability criteria. I had put the card in oriented like the bubble mailer. What I found though is that you can get cards in oriented the other way and they will pass the bendability test...at least as demonstrated by two people at my Post Office. They put them about halfway over the edge of a counter and bent it. If it bent ok, then we were good to go, if not then go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200 (slightly more or less in Canada). Some that I had returned I just sent the $6.16 way to avoid any further problems, but some were sent the other method and I've sent others afterwards using that technique and fingers crossed they seem to be ok again. Now of course I've just jinxed myself and I'll be getting packages sent back...

 

[suitman19]

Winston,

The package you received was sent as a large envelope/flats rate. The postage on it was correct (depending on weight) - HOWEVER these packages are not supposed to carry merchandise in them, only paper or non-commercial photos or such.

Two things occur with this:
a) you cannot use Ebay shipping, hence no free tacking that comes with the more expensive option.
b) no transaction protection for the shipper

And - technically - the buyer is violating the postal codes, especially when the Postal Rep is asking if the package contains commercial items.

The real deal is - there is no shipping under $5.55 (eBay discounted 1 oz shipping) to Canada from the US. And for an item that I send as trade on HI - the cheapest is $6 or $7 depending on weight, and that includes NO TRACKING.

This is probably similar to what Canadians will see in the next round of Postal increases.
Our bubble mailer increases were hidden until 2 or 3 days before the actual change date!

 

[BillInDallas]

I have had no issues tracking both large envelopes/flats and packages using canadapost.ca and now even USPS. When they first started playing ball with tracking several months ago I did see some packages would never show as delivered although they were. But now those problems seem to have gone away.

Package ($6.16):

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction!input.action?tRef=qt&tLc=1&tLabels=LZ650882401US+

Large Envelope/Flat (Shows as package, but was sent for $2.25 as a flat):

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction!input.action?tRef=qt&tLc=1&tLabels=LJ917176425US+

 

[Burner]

I know this topic has been beat to death.I understand that postage rates have taken a big jump in the US for items being shipped to Canada.But I received a card in the mail today.From California.It was in a large padded envelope with only $2.05 postage.How does that work? Just curious is all.Thanks,Winston.

Most likely slipped thru the cracks or was a very generous postal employee. I've gone to 6 different USPS postal outlets and they ALL claim that a padded envelope has to be sent as a package WITH customs form... which means $6-7 to Canada. No exceptions.

 

[djsports]

If it is in a padded mailer, it needs to go FCM (First Class Main) Parcel.

If it is an reinforced cardboard paper mailer and less than 3/4 in thick, it can go the FCM Flat rate.

This is the consensus of all three post offices I visit.

 

[djsports]

I have had no issues tracking both large envelopes/flats and packages using canadapost.ca and now even USPS. When they first started playing ball with tracking several months ago I did see some packages would never show as delivered although they were. But now those problems seem to have gone away.

Package ($6.16):

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction!input.action?tRef=qt&tLc=1&tLabels=LZ650882401US+

Large Envelope/Flat (Shows as package, but was sent for $2.25 as a flat):

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction!input.action?tRef=qt&tLc=1&tLabels=LJ917176425US+

Tracking depends on the laziness of the Canada Post employee that is scanning the bar code. I agree with you that both versions will update tracking info as long as the employee doing the scanning does their job.

 

[Leafsfan1967]

I've received most of my bubble mailers with the standard $6.55 charge on it, and have got a few from sellers with $2.75ish on it. If you deal with US seller jaak99 he only charges $3 still to Canada.

My guess is the ones that are paying $6.55 to mail a bubble mailer are being charged as a package, and the ones paying less than $3 are not. I'm sure their local PO will catch on at some point, and make the price change. I'm sure there are a few other PO around the US that aren't yet charging these bubble mailers as parcels yet, but probably not that many, so if you find one use it, and abuse it while you can.

It has to suck as a seller of hockey cards in the USA, though. I know I barely ever buy from US sellers anymore unless the price is rediculously low to make up for the $7 shipping charge, or they have numerous cards I need, and offer combined shipping. My nascar pickups have been zero the past 6 months. Not their fault, but not mine either, and I won't pay $7 for one lower end card to be mailed to me. Sad truth, but it is what it is.

Same goes for sales on here. There are so many sale threads I would have bought a couple cards here, and there, especially the new Young Guns rookies, but when you factor in the extra $7 for shipping, the final total just doesn't justify a purchase. I certainly don't blame the seller, I just don't buy from them.

 

[Elias Devil]

I just started trying 000 sized bubble mailers with a $1.10 global forever and 20 cent nonmachinable stamps and no problems yet. You just have to be careful to keep it with almost no bulge so it has to be 2-4 skinny cards tops.

 

[warsawknuckles]

I have had no issues tracking both large envelopes/flats and packages using canadapost.ca and now even USPS. When they first started playing ball with tracking several months ago I did see some packages would never show as delivered although they were. But now those problems seem to have gone away.

Package ($6.16):

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction!input.action?tRef=qt&tLc=1&tLabels=LZ650882401US+

THAT. IS. AWESOME.

seems that i can stop charging $20 for registered mail- the customs form # is trackable.

 

[BillInDallas]

THAT. IS. AWESOME.

seems that i can stop charging $20 for registered mail- the customs form # is trackable.

CanadaPost started playing nice with USPS earlier this year, making both tracking numbers visible on both sides of the border.


I've been talking with a few people in PM and decided that it would be easiest to post what USPS information I found here. This is a guide for international mail.

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/imm/full/imm.pdf

If you open the document and search for 241.23 you'll see all the requirements for using each class of mail. It's pretty clear cut. If there are restrictions on the actual contents, I need to see where those are. Normally I don't nitpick over things like this, but when bad service combines with high prices, it's time to take a closer look as a consumer at what's going on.

Like I said earlier, if you package a card (or a couple) in a #000 mailer, it can meet all of the criteria laid out. The flexibility is the toughest one so this can only be used for a few cards at most. I would like to think that carriers and others in the PO aren't bending the heck out of the packages. I've yet to have a single complaint of such. Obviously I only use this method with low-end singles. Packages with cards of higher value are shipped via Parcel.

All this being said, I still think there's a way to transact low-end singles without being subjected to the $6.16+ rates.

 

[Superdoup]

Up until very recently, I was able to send single cards or sometimes up to about three cards via USPS International Large Envelope/Flats rate. The charge was about $2.30 or so a package vesus the $6.16 rate. Around the beginning of this month I had about 6 packages returned saying that they were parcels not flats. From my shoddy memory, the criteria for Large Envelopes/Flats was that the length and width were something that all bubble mailers (even larger ones) would fall into. But then there's the more stringent criteria. From 1 inch inside the outside borders of the envelope, the thickness can not exceed 3/4 inch and any changes in the thickness can not then vary by more than 1/4. Additionally the package must be bendable. For me my packages were failing on the bendability criteria. I had put the card in oriented like the bubble mailer. What I found though is that you can get cards in oriented the other way and they will pass the bendability test...at least as demonstrated by two people at my Post Office. They put them about halfway over the edge of a counter and bent it. If it bent ok, then we were good to go, if not then go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200 (slightly more or less in Canada). Some that I had returned I just sent the $6.16 way to avoid any further problems, but some were sent the other method and I've sent others afterwards using that technique and fingers crossed they seem to be ok again. Now of course I've just jinxed myself and I'll be getting packages sent back...

Ok Where is the capitalism will take us? this is just too many turn around from USPS!! Crazy!

 

[JoexBondo]

Customs forms number are now trackable! I had a missing item case overturned after I entered the customs number in the usps tracking system and there is was shown as delivered. Good for the usps to finally have tracking that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Winston,

The package you received was sent as a large envelope/flats rate. The postage on it was correct (depending on weight) - HOWEVER these packages are not supposed to carry merchandise in them, only paper or non-commercial photos or such.

Two things occur with this:
a) you cannot use Ebay shipping, hence no free tacking that comes with the more expensive option.
b) no transaction protection for the shipper

And - technically - the buyer is violating the postal codes, especially when the Postal Rep is asking if the package contains commercial items.

The real deal is - there is no shipping under $5.55 (eBay discounted 1 oz shipping) to Canada from the US. And for an item that I send as trade on HI - the cheapest is $6 or $7 depending on weight, and that includes NO TRACKING.

This is probably similar to what Canadians will see in the next round of Postal increases.
Our bubble mailer increases were hidden until 2 or 3 days before the actual change date!

 

[dismonkey1]

I have sent a couple of lower value items (under $20) to Canada in "large envelope" without any issue. I just make sure they attach the customs form. I also put the card into a smallish bubble mailer and insert it into a large envelope. Not exactly flat but definitely under the 3/4 inch. As other posters have indicated, it depends on your local post office and how they want to interpret the rules. I generally charge $4 for international items and usually just eat a $2 loss on the shipping when using the ebay small package rate and sending out regular bubble mailer. If I use, the other option on less expensive cards, I refund the shipping difference after the fact.