Thread: Global shi**ing strikes again.

Originally Posted by gugi

Yes, I know, but those tracking numbers are not guaranteed to work because they are not real tracking numbers, just a courtesy scans of the customs label. So, if the postal service in US or abroad does not scan this label which they aren't required to, the seller has no proof or recourse whatsoever.

That's the difference with real tracking numbers - those are required to be scanned and if the postal services fail to do it they are liable for the package.

It's probably like using a medication off-label - it may work or it may not, but if it doesn't or doesn't work as intended it's all on you.
The only way a seller can be covered for sure (ebay and paypal are clear on this) is if they follow the correct rules and purchase tracking (and/or insurance) which for first class international mail means registering it.

Again I am not saying that the customs label doesn't often provide the same functionality for free, I am saying that it is not guaranteed to do so, and relying on it is taking a risk. I have plenty of customs label numbers which show one or two scans in US, or none at all, and no scans abroad, or one scan on the way but no scan on delivery. That's why I don't treat those as tracking numbers - they simply aren't despite occasionally working as such.

https://www.usps.com/ship/first-clas...al-service.htm

Note:
Tracking available when you ship online to select destinations.

Hey what do I know, maybe they mean tracking by customs label number.

Bob

Nope, you are right - apparently USPS now does have real tracking to some international locations.
I hope they expand that list and bring back the insurance on flat rate boxes.

Originally Posted by gugi

Nope, you are right - apparently USPS now does have real tracking to some international locations.
I hope they expand that list and bring back the insurance on flat rate boxes.

They must have tracking to Canada as that is how I have been getting items delivered all these years. Yea, an expanded list would be nice for US sellers but as a Canadian buyer I am happy with it. It is also why I feel the GSP is a ripoff for Canadian buyers.

Being able to insure it would be a bonus for some depending on the value of the item and the cost to insure it. I suspect the cost to insure sub $200.00 items would not be cost effective for me.

Bob

Originally Posted by Phrank

Been there done that the hard way when a package arrived via the UPS folks. Won't do it again.

IIRC, anything under $200.00 from the States into Canada you do not pay duty...I let one seller know about the costs, he had no idea, did a screen capture and sent it to him, he felt that was why suddenly his bidding activity had gone way down. When I've mentioned this to other sellers, some say that's the way and they're fine with that, and then I say so long...it's my choice to not contribute to this.

Actually, it's 20$ for anything imported by mail, but you get lucky every once in a while and more often when ordering from the US. It also depends a lot on the item's description on the shipping slip.

Cheers.

From the Canadian Border Services Agency web site:

"If the goods you are importing are for personal use and the item is marked "made in Canada, the USA, or Mexico", or if there is no marking or labeling indicating that it was made somewhere other than Canada, the USA, or Mexico, you do not need to pay duties on those goods."

I'd think that's why I've never payed any duty on razors. The declaration simply says "straight razor" and a dollar value. Even one from Japan and one from France have come to me without duty or tax. I've only had to pay tax once and it was very strange because I received two razors in the mail at the same time, one taxed and the other not.