International (Canada) shipping ==Ebay question

[Cindy B]

I may not be able to plow through the Ebay thread for an answer on this, so I am asking separately...

How long does a small Global priority envelope take to get to Canada? I am in the Northeast (near Philadelphia PA) and it was going to Saint Hubert, Quebec.

I mailed it on Dec 9th, and as of last friday, the buyer still did not receive it. However, I sent something to England on the 10th and they got there items!

Does Canada have a longer lead time? Is this item stuck in customs somewhere? I realized you can't track international items through the USPS, so I'm basically at the mercy of the buyer.

 

[DMRick]

I had one package take forever to get to Canada. I gave the buyer the number from the customs slip, and however they did it, they were able to figure out via customs where the package is..when it was in customs custody.
Another time I got a call from customs..they were unable to deliver it, because the guy gave me (as I remember) a box number and it needed a street. Customs opened the package and found my business card and called me..and I was able to give them the buyer's phone number. They called him and arranged delivery.
So maybe you can give your buyer the number from the custom slip and he can try calling them.

 

[Cindy B]

Now the customs slip is that little green/white slip perforated on the side?
I was told by my PO that all I needed was that green/white slip, and the address written on the Global Express envie!

The PO took the white portion of the slip, they told me they keep them on file for 30 days! I'm not certain what to do now.

 

[DMRick]

Now the customs slip is that little green/white slip perforated on the side?

Yes, your po will have it..I think the number is on your receipt. I'm doing a Can one today..I'll ask for you, and I'll check my receipt to see if when she scans the customs form, if they are the same numbers.

 

[FatCow]

From my personal experience:

Shipping from US to Canada: up to 15 business days, usually 10 business days

Shipping from Canada to US: up to 15 business days, usually 15 business days

Shipping within Canada: up to 10 business days, usually 5 business days

Shipping from Australia to Canada: up to 20 business days, usually 10 business days

Shipping from Canada to Australia: up to 20 business days, usually 15 business days

Here's another interesting tidbit:

sending the exact same item, in size 0 bubble envelope from Canada to Canada $6.50
Canada to US $4.25
Canada to Austria $4.00

NUTSO!

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks FatCow! I was wondering how long this will take.. I was wondering if since it was Quebec (French), and I addressed it in English.. if this was the issue.

I sent something to England AFTER the small thing to Canada, and the England one got there first!

I'm starting to worry. Could something be held up in customs?

How does customs work? Do the addressee get a notice saying that you have something in customs, come get it?

 

[FatCow]

If there is something in customs, I usually don't get anything. This can take up to 5 business days (being stuck in customs).

Once it's delivered, if it is a larger package, the postal worker will (supposedly) try to deliver it directly to your house (instead of the regular community mailbox).

If the recipient's not home, he/she (in theory) should leave a notice for the item to be picked up at the local post office the next day (or two).

Sometimes, if you happen to have an @..h0le postal worker (or just plain lazy), he/she won't leave anything at all and you'll get a "final notice" in your mailbox 3 days after the supposed 1st attempt. The item will be held at your post office for another 3 business weeks.

If after X-mas your client haven't received the unit yet, it is advised (by Canada Post) for your client to contact her nearest postal office (the one he/she usually pick up his/her packages/parcels) and check whether there is any package addressed to him/her. Don't forget to bring a photo ID such as driver's license.

I know this drill because the postal worker in my area is a lazy bum. I almost never received the first notice and sometimes not even the second notice. I've reported this matter to Canada Post several times with no luck.

Oh... and there is that 5-finger discount.

They seem to "lose" ALL my parcels 2 weeks before and after Xmas. Funny that NONE of my bill ever got lost.

Usually during that 4-week period, I don't order anything. If I need to order anything of value, I ask (and pay extra) for registered mail.

 

[Cindy B]

Thanks Fatcow!

I sent it Global Priority Mail from a post office near Philadelphia PA. It was the smaller #10 global priority mail envelope instead of the larger one.

This item wasn't a Christmas present,but some computer media cards (32 MB transfer cards).

So you dont' think that the English/French won't be a problem?

 

[FatCow]

The language should not be a problem. I've shipped more than 200 items last year to French-speaking area without a single mishap. They were all written in English (I speak several languages but they don't include French)

 

[bunnyfoo]

Originally posted by FatCow
If there is something in customs, I usually don't get anything. This can take up to 5 business days (being stuck in customs).

Once it's delivered, if it is a larger package, the postal worker will (supposedly) try to deliver it directly to your house (instead of the regular community mailbox).

If the recipient's not home, he/she (in theory) should leave a notice for the item to be picked up at the local post office the next day (or two).

Sometimes, if you happen to have an @..h0le postal worker (or just plain lazy), he/she won't leave anything at all and you'll get a "final notice" in your mailbox 3 days after the supposed 1st attempt. The item will be held at your post office for another 3 business weeks.

If after X-mas your client haven't received the unit yet, it is advised (by Canada Post) for your client to contact her nearest postal office (the one he/she usually pick up his/her packages/parcels) and check whether there is any package addressed to him/her. Don't forget to bring a photo ID such as driver's license.

I know this drill because the postal worker in my area is a lazy bum. I almost never received the first notice and sometimes not even the second notice. I've reported this matter to Canada Post several times with no luck.

Oh... and there is that 5-finger discount.

They seem to "lose" ALL my parcels 2 weeks before and after Xmas. Funny that NONE of my bill ever got lost.

Usually during that 4-week period, I don't order anything. If I need to order anything of value, I ask (and pay extra) for registered mail.

That's happened to me on several occasions ... I called Canada Post to complain and they told me that for some of their package delivery, they subcontract out the service to another company. I probably have something like that in my area because there are times I don't even get a notice or my package literally get stuck in the bushes in front of my house *sigh*

Things also could be moving slowly because of the volume of mail during December.... I'm hoping that your package gets to its destination Cindyb