A heads up on shipping packages to US, ie WDW resorts

[pjpoohbear]

Hi all!

Just spent a week at Gateway postal station being trained to cover my stores postal outlet.

I found out that , if you want to send a package to the US from Canada, with pre-packaged foods, ie boxed, bagged, candy and even a pack of gum, etc, then you would require pre-approval from the FDA. It say that homemade foods are fine and can be sent without pre-approval. I personally would be more concerned with homemade then processed food quality, but I am not in government.

So plan ahead and see your local postal outlet before you want to ship food items out to WDW resorts. We had one gentleman form whom it took two days to get all the approvals to send some candy to a friend.


Penny

 

[Cruisin]

I send candy and packaged food items in DIS exchange parcels to the US all of the time. Have not had a problem yet.

They mentioned it at the postal counter but they didn't say I could not send it. They just said it might be opened or returned.

So far no one has complained that their packages have been opened or had things removed.

Most of the time I do declare it on the customs tag.

 

[pjpoohbear]

Cruisin'Kroezes

Do they stamp your packages? If a package is opened and returned/destroyed. We are told that Canada Post Corp will contact and reprimand the outlet that the package entered the mail stream. This is also a new practice, and older clerks, even at my outlet, don't see why the change has been put in place.

It is the FDA that has put this condition on packages to the US, don't know why. They were specific that it included all but homemade products, right down to gum. Don't know how strict it will be enforced.

But by stating that it was possible that it might be returned, which won't be what happens- they will just destroy it, the outlet has told you that delivery is not for sure, they most likely feel that there is no responsiblity on their shoulders.

But if you need to get the item there for your trip, make sure you ask for info on the FDA procedures for perishable items. And why lose the money spent on products and shipping when a couple to FDA numbers get the package there for sure.

Penny

 

[Scratch42]

When I sent a package this past Monday.

That is why my packages don't contain food, candy, etc.....
It's a long form also that needs to be filled out!

So Penny, if a send say a homemade recipe that contains the ingredients (ie, homemade cookie ingredients) they will let it go no questions asked but if I send a prepackaged cookie package straight from the manufacturer, they will destroy it?

Seems a little backwards?

Have a Disney Day!

Scratch

 

[Susan--Ontario]

These new rules are really quite simple. The food must be on a list of approved companies. The US is concerned about bio-terorism. I can't remember the logic right now but tomorrow I can look it up and let you know.

If the product you're sending is on the list then it's okay, if it isn't then you are taking the risk that it will be destroyed or returned to you. It does make for a lot of extra work at our outlet though. Fortunately, we're at a University and usually the goodies are coming this way to the starving students instead of the other way.

Have a great day!!

 

[pjpoohbear]

Scratch42, the logic made me smile too. I enjoy americans but the government needs some help focusing on important issues.


Susan--Ontario

My outlet is also at a University! We are located within the University of Toronto Bookstore. Got to love student loan season, eh?

Penny

 

[Susan--Ontario]

Love student loan season, but I would love it more if they didn't contract it out during the busiest (ie read making most money) time.

My other favourite is deadline for applications.. but we sell lots of Expresspost..

have a great day!!