Originally Posted By: The Critic
I'm trying to ship an iPod case to someone who lives in St. Catharines, ON, Canada.
How do I avoid duty/custom/broker fees on this shipment? I was told that if the item was valued under $19, there wouldn't be any fees due to me or the recipient. Is this true?
What's the best service for sending stuff like this? FedEx is cheaper than UPS. I'd rather avoid USPS even though they're the cheapest.
Thanks!
I ship regularly to Canada. Since my customers are cheap Candians (not that all Candians are cheap, but my customers are!), they spring only for USPS Air Mail. Shipping times are horrendous. Every USPS package gets tuck in Canadian customs for at least a few days. Air Mail usually ends up taking 10 days to 3 weeks, I kid you not.
International First Class (Air Mail) cannot be insured and there is no tracking option (although often the label number will show when an item has cleared customs, and rearely when it has been delivered -- it's not an official feature.) Postage is low, about the same as for domestic First Class.
International Priority Mail (expedited Air Mail) is automatically insured for up to $100 value. You can add additional insurance. Marginal online tracking is provided. Cost is $17 and up.
If you undervalue an item on the customs form, then you will be unable to recover insurance beyond the declared value. You need proof of purchase and a filled out form from the recipeient to make any claims later.
Mailing a commercial item marked as "gift" will come back to bite you on the arse if the shipment gets lost or damaged.
I say stick that case in a padded envelope and send with First Class International mail. None of my Canadian customers mentioned paying a customs fee or duty on items having a declared value under $50.
Check the USPS postage calculator.
For any mail thicker than 1/4" you need customs form 2976 (green label), but for any envelope or package over 1 (or 2, I'm not sure) pounds you need customs form 2976-A (white form).
