Shipping from US to Canada?

[pathshot]

Since I was out of the hobby for a while, I didn't exactly keep up with USPS shipping changes. Previously (like until 2009), I was able to ship to Canada using a #000 padded mailer for ~USD$2.50. I was just charged over $9 for a transaction here.

Is there any way to mitigate this cost? I used to do my shipping through a combination of Paypal and Stamps.com, and never had a package returned to me while using that rate. I noticed many people are able to send for sane costs on eBay, so they're clearly doing something.

So, US friends, how are you shipping to Canada in a way that doesn't break the bank?

Thanks!

 

[geschrocks33]

I have a method that doesn't use a bubble mailer that I discovered via Gallinator, feel free to PM me and I can explain it.

I've heard that if people print from PayPal shipping that you can print like a $2.95 label and it will go through fine, but I'm not 100% sure about that, and it doesn't work where I live, the bubble mailers get sent back unless they have the $9 postage on them.

 

[SNobles]

I have a method that doesn't use a bubble mailer that I discovered via Gallinator, feel free to PM me and I can explain it.

I've heard that if people print from PayPal shipping that you can print like a $2.95 label and it will go through fine, but I'm not 100% sure about that, and it doesn't work where I live, the bubble mailers get sent back unless they have the $9 postage on them.

I just received a package from the member Davis here on the boards and it showed postage around $2usd something like that and it came with tracking too!

 

[neo1370]

If you make friend with the cashier at the PO, they can ship a #000 with 1-3 thin cards as a letter, costing $2.xx

I say thin because there is the chance it goes through rollers and might get caught up if too thick. I haven't had any issues but only use this method occasionly.

Typically, I try to only sell to Canadian members and charge the $9.50 to cover shipping. Or if trading, keep it a higher end deal.

 

[pathshot]

If you make friend with the cashier at the PO, they can ship a #000 with 1-3 thin cards as a letter, costing $2.xx

This is certainly what I used to do, and I wonder if I just use literally any prepaid shipping service if it'll be fine.

I suppose I can give this a shot again too.

 

[pathshot]

I have a method that doesn't use a bubble mailer that I discovered via Gallinator, feel free to PM me and I can explain it.

I've heard that if people print from PayPal shipping that you can print like a $2.95 label and it will go through fine, but I'm not 100% sure about that, and it doesn't work where I live, the bubble mailers get sent back unless they have the $9 postage on them.

A PM has been sent.

 

[Davis]

I just received a package from the member Davis here on the boards and it showed postage around $2usd something like that and it came with tracking too!

I ship about once/week to Canada using bubble mailers and haven't had any issues. I print the labels through paypal choosing usps first class international and "think envelope". This includes tracking. Have other people had issues with this method?

 

[TADontAsk]

Wow, I had heard shipping across borders was expensive, but had no idea until I just tried it myself. Sending in my part of a trade this afternoon cost me $9.50 USD! And that was for a small bubble mailer with just a handful of early 90s cards. Then I asked about tracking and was told that feature was $14 more! Unreal.

No wonder trading is way down. I'd love to hear about reasonable alternatives.

 

[Dallaz77]

Same boat as everyone else here, even using pre-paid shipping from Paypal puts me out $9.50 if I want tracking, even if the bubble mailer only contains one fairly thin card...let's all do research and see if we can't make shipping back and forth to each other cheap(er) again!!

 

[geschrocks33]

Here's the method I have explained to members who have requested it, member Gallinator is the one who shared it with me:

Buy a pack of Cardboard DVD/CD Sleeves. I typically can get 2 thick cards (180 pt) or the equivalent of that into the cardboard DVD mailer. Make sure you use the usuals: Penny sleeve, toploader, teambag, and use a decoy (or extra base cards) for added protection.

Do not take the mailer to a post office clerk. They could possibly identify it as a package and still hit you for the $9.50.

I use one of the self service kiosks near me, and typically use the "Buy a different value stamp" option, and use $1.75. If you have more cards, can always possibly print a $2.00 one.

If you ask Gallinator, I can't remember what stamps he actually purchase, but if I'm not mistaken you can purchase "International" stamps that I believe are $1.20 a piece, and then buy another stamp to put on to equal what would be a "non-machinable" surcharge. Maybe if he sees this he can chime in.

Make sure you tape all 4 sides of the Cardboard sleeve, just to be safe.

So in summary:

Cardboard DVD/CD sleeve
Equivalent of 2 180 pt cards can fit
I use postage of $1.75 per mailer
DO NOT take to a clerk. Either use the self service to print your own stamps, or purchase appropriate value stamps and put them on yourself


I have used this method probably 100 times or so now, and I've never had anything arrived damaged. Anyone with questions can feel free to PM me

 

[TADontAsk]

I use one of the self service kiosks near me, and typically use the "Buy a different value stamp" option, and use $1.75. If you have more cards, can always possibly print a $2.00 one.

It will also depend on if your self service kiosk has this capability. I went to mine last night because it was after hours, and the moment I selected "International" it said it couldn't go any further and instructed me to visit the desk.

 

[geschrocks33]

It will also depend on if your self service kiosk has this capability. I went to mine last night because it was after hours, and the moment I selected "International" it said it couldn't go any further and instructed me to visit the desk.

Right, but when you use the self service kiosk, don't select "International"

On the main screen, I believe it is the very bottom option, it is:

"Buy a different value stamp"

Then you can enter in the value stamp you want (in my case $1.75) and put the stamp on cardboard mailer, and slide it into the mail slot and you're done. No selecting international, no customs forms, just print the stamp, put it on and you're done.

 

[Burner]

Here's the method I have explained to members who have requested it, member Gallinator is the one who shared it with me:

Buy a pack of Cardboard DVD/CD Sleeves. I typically can get 2 thick cards (180 pt) or the equivalent of that into the cardboard DVD mailer. Make sure you use the usuals: Penny sleeve, toploader, teambag, and use a decoy (or extra base cards) for added protection.

Do not take the mailer to a post office clerk. They could possibly identify it as a package and still hit you for the $9.50.

I use one of the self service kiosks near me, and typically use the "Buy a different value stamp" option, and use $1.75. If you have more cards, can always possibly print a $2.00 one.

If you ask Gallinator, I can't remember what stamps he actually purchase, but if I'm not mistaken you can purchase "International" stamps that I believe are $1.20 a piece, and then buy another stamp to put on to equal what would be a "non-machinable" surcharge. Maybe if he sees this he can chime in.

Make sure you tape all 4 sides of the Cardboard sleeve, just to be safe.

So in summary:

Cardboard DVD/CD sleeve
Equivalent of 2 180 pt cards can fit
I use postage of $1.75 per mailer
DO NOT take to a clerk. Either use the self service to print your own stamps, or purchase appropriate value stamps and put them on yourself


I have used this method probably 100 times or so now, and I've never had anything arrived damaged. Anyone with questions can feel free to PM me

This method works, but it's under the assumption that the item you're sending is not a saleable item. ie. letters, keys, greeting cards/invitations that have decorations, paperclips, plastic items such as a thin piece of poly that protects a picture, coins or even a pen. Technically a hockey cards don't count especially if it's a sale item.

That said, if you're going to ship this way, then I would recommend writing "NON MACHINABLE" underneath the stamp so that it ensures that it doesn't go through the rollers.

Always buy the stamp through the self serve kiosk and select "purchase different value stamp" and enter this price: I think I pay $1.94 to Canada. To Europe and any other country it should be $2.34. You can do 5 at a time this way. Otherwise if you do it manually by selecting "buy a stamp > enter zip/select country > weigh the item > does this item contain hazardous materials: yes/no> is this item rigid/square: yes/no > purchase postage" it'll take forever and it's just going to print out a stamp of the value I mentioned above and it's only 1 at a time.

Also, always drop it in the mail box, don't hand it to a clerk. The employees there DO NOT know that thick rigid letters ARE NOT packages and they can go in as letters. They automatically assume that they are packages, but that's why they have a non machineable surcharge which is an extra 40c above postage which works out the the prices I mentioned above if you do a manual stamp.

edit I guess I forgot the most important part, I would use rigid DVD mailers, or rigid self sealing envelopes (5x7") which can be found on eBay for pretty cheap if you buy in bulk

 

[incetardis]

props to the US members in here for trying their best!

 

[blueknight91]

I've used this with success- this may be what Davis is using too.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now

DVD Mailers are cool too, and there are Forever stamps for those too!

 

[charnick]

Here's the method I have explained to members who have requested it, member Gallinator is the one who shared it with me:

Buy a pack of Cardboard DVD/CD Sleeves. I typically can get 2 thick cards (180 pt) or the equivalent of that into the cardboard DVD mailer. Make sure you use the usuals: Penny sleeve, toploader, teambag, and use a decoy (or extra base cards) for added protection.

Do not take the mailer to a post office clerk. They could possibly identify it as a package and still hit you for the $9.50.

I use one of the self service kiosks near me, and typically use the "Buy a different value stamp" option, and use $1.75. If you have more cards, can always possibly print a $2.00 one.

If you ask Gallinator, I can't remember what stamps he actually purchase, but if I'm not mistaken you can purchase "International" stamps that I believe are $1.20 a piece, and then buy another stamp to put on to equal what would be a "non-machinable" surcharge. Maybe if he sees this he can chime in.

Make sure you tape all 4 sides of the Cardboard sleeve, just to be safe.

So in summary:

Cardboard DVD/CD sleeve
Equivalent of 2 180 pt cards can fit
I use postage of $1.75 per mailer
DO NOT take to a clerk. Either use the self service to print your own stamps, or purchase appropriate value stamps and put them on yourself


I have used this method probably 100 times or so now, and I've never had anything arrived damaged. Anyone with questions can feel free to PM me

but does this method come with tracking? i'm about to sell off a fair amount of hockey cards, and want to make them available to Canadians as well, but I'm leery of basically doing the equivalent of sending in a PWE opening myself up to claims if there's no tracking to show it arrived. Granted I've had great success getting my own purchases from Canada, but as a seller I get a little paranoid without tracking numbers to cover my youknowwhat.

 

[kamper23]

I have received a few packages from geschrocks33 as he is describing and have not had an issue, so for Canadian members concerned about this method of shipping, I would suggest you should be fine.

 

[pathshot]

Thanks so much to everyone who chimed in on this!

 

[geschrocks33]

but does this method come with tracking? i'm about to sell off a fair amount of hockey cards, and want to make them available to Canadians as well, but I'm leery of basically doing the equivalent of sending in a PWE opening myself up to claims if there's no tracking to show it arrived. Granted I've had great success getting my own purchases from Canada, but as a seller I get a little paranoid without tracking numbers to cover my youknowwhat.

No tracking. I'm not sure it would be a great option for eBay sales, but for trading purposes with members here, it's a good option.

 

[TADontAsk]

Last week I sent 27Leafs27 a test package using these CD sleeves. Just to be safe, I used a $2.50 stamp. I also wrote "Non Machinable" under it. He confirmed yesterday that he got these cards, so I can vouch for this method.

Just be careful with the CD sleeves that you buy. The sides were all perforated, so I used packing tape to seal each of the edges. The particular sleeves I got were also pretty small, but it got the job done for about 14 base cards in penny sleeves, sandwiched between 2 top loaders and in a team bag. It would have been a stretch to fit anything else.