Any advice on shipping from the US to the UK/Canada?

Some of you may have seen that I'm selling a number of watches, and several of them have been to the U.K./Canada. I've gotten most of them out, or am getting close, but I am shocked at how impossibly difficult it seems.

Is there an easier way??!!

Cordially,
Coleson

 

I've always sent them through the USPS. It might take a while when you factor in the Canadian postal system, but they get there. Fill out the form correctly, maybe putting "old watch for parts" or something similar in the description.

The UK is a different story. I like Global Express services - the USPS takes it in, and FedEx handles it afterwards. Usually between $50 - $70 if I remember correctly. A few of our members agreed this was the best way to ship there.

 

Great info Dennis

 

Well, you should actually thank Warren / Spikispikester, Alex / Dablitzer, and one or two other members (Alpha? X350 XJR?) who all conferred with me about it. I'm just relaying the message.

 

I think you mean factoring in the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency - customs). The delays related to a parcel arriving from the US or anywhere else in the world have nothing to do with Canada Post (the Canadian postal system), but everything to do with the CBSA.

I can send a package across the country easily and quickly with Canada Post - they are quite good at what they do.

Oh and I receive hundreds of packages a year through the postal system, and there are really not any serious delays that I have experienced.

Cheers, Al

 

So, no insurance usually?

 

I don't think you can get insurance through the USPS when it goes abroad. Other shipping services will offer it, but the cost is astronomical.

 

I've had a lot of trouble shipping to Canada... Shipping watches uninsured is nearly inevitable.

 

Can you be more specific? I have bought plenty of watches from the UK and the US, and both get here quite easily. Regular Royal Mail takes a bit of time (2-3 weeks), and so far, no problems. I do have issues with paying duties and taxes on watches from the US, but that is due to the wacky Canadian tax system, and the fact that our political leaders haven't respected the NAFTA...but I digress. If you can give details, we may be able to help out.

 

Well - when I say problems, I only mean that I am unable to officially ship a watch to Canada if it's worth more than $5. I have to label my packages "old watch"

The post office staff are also troublesome, as they over-complicate international shipping procedures and are unfamiliar with the rules. They have a name for me now. When I walk into the post office, they call me "Big Money".

 

Has anyone used eBAY international shipping? As much as I dislike eBAY, this option might make sense. For many of the items sold on eBAY you can ship to a central location in the USA and they will then take care of international delivery. The good thing is the seller is covered as long as the item arrives at the US based facility. There have been a number of instances where I thought completing a deal through eBAY might be the way to go. You can keep the fees low by posting a BIN for part of the value and the rest payable through other methods? What do you think?