U.S / Canada Shipping Cost

[northernsurplus50]

International shipping costs are outrageous . I shipped a  4 oz item from Niagara NY to Niagara Canada where , from 1  P.O.  to the other is perhaps 5 miles and both are 1/2 mile from the border . USPS charged  $16 for 3 oz.  and there was no import fee . Should a buyer be in the U.S. they are allowed to purchase $800 duty free . I know of a couple small couriers in Canada near the border , who charge Canadian sellers  $3 for more most parcels ,  to take the U.S. buyers item to USPS / UPS / FEDEX in Niagara or Buffalo NY , providing the item is under $800 . With the USPS flat rate boxes which the Canadian courier brings back from USPS  , and should the Canadian seller have access to these couriers , they can ship 70 lbs to Hawaii for $20 , yet to ship 4 lbs from Windsor to Detroit , 4 miles ; Canada Post charges $40 .   In the U.S. at all border crossings , all U.S cities have private receiving companies where 95% of their clients are from Canada . The buyer from Canada drives over , pays the receiver $5 for handling , then drives back to Canada . minutes away . Very seldom does Canada Customs pull you in to charge an import fee of 13% . If the item's value is $100 or more they occasionally do . So any buyer located near the border find a location across the border in Canada or the U.S and have your purchase sent there . You'll save a fortune in shipping costs.

[joseh1445]

Ok.  Maybe that should be your next business?

[richard1rst]

Well, first of all Pirateship will send an 8 ounce package to Canada for $8.99. That same package to a U S address is $3.86 (or so, depending on where you are shipping from). 

The net difference (8.99-3.86) is $5.13. The receiver is going to charge you $5.00 for handling. So the savings is 13 cents.

Secondly, what would it cost you in gas, mileage, time and inconvenience to drive across the border? I'm betting it would be more than $0.13.

International shipping costs are outrageous

Well, yes if you don't shop around for the best rate.

[deserdog]

With you on this. Using Pirate Ship to Canada is pretty cheap. And easy.