Advice for new Canadian seller (1 Viewer)

[The Nuts]

A new board member from Canada is selling me some chips.

Is there any tips he should know about the process of selling internationally?

What kind of shipping should he use?

When using PayPal to purchase from canadians in the past it has given me the option to choose if the money arrives as USD or Canadian. The sellers always request I make it USD, is there a particular reason?

Looking for any gotchas that the seller should know about and look out for.

He also just opened up a new PayPal account for this transaction.

Thanks for any advice!

(I'll be using goods & services for this sale since he has no rep on here and doesnt have anyone to vouch, seems like a nice guy though)

 

[The Nuts]

@Mike mac

 

[Saoliver]

@allforcharity @Gear @Jeevansluck @hdgeno

 

[moose]

I request payments in usd because PayPal's exchange rate is terrible and I usually use my usd PayPal balance to buy other chips or make eBay purchases.

Canada Post tracking numbers will also work on the USPS website.

$1000 cdn is the max insurance you can buy. If buyers won't pay to split shipments then any losses over that are on the buyer.

 

[cpac54]

I request payments in usd because PayPal's exchange rate is terrible and I usually use my usd PayPal balance to buy other chips or make eBay purchases.

Canada Post tracking numbers will also work on the USPS website.

$1000 cdn is the max insurance you can buy. If buyers won't pay to split shipments then any losses over that are on the buyer.

Exactly this. Paypal's exchange rates are borderline criminal.

 

[The Nuts]

Thanks for the info! @Rookie

 

[Mike mac]

Let’s see the goods !!

 

[allforcharity]

Nothing for me to add. Except maybe show him the Shipping Tips and Tricks thread.

 

[Jeevansluck]

Nothing for me to add. Except maybe show him the Shipping Tips and Tricks thread.

Ditto

 

[FordPickup92]

I reccomend paypal international shipping link. You can find it on google, cuts down on the price
Also make sure he fully understands and fills out the customs forms properly. If you have any additional questions feel free to PM

 

[Jeevansluck]

(I'll be using goods & services for this sale since he has no rep on here and doesnt have anyone to vouch, seems like a nice guy though)

I'd also point out it costs a Canadian recipient of funds 4% if 'Goods and Services' is selected.

I'm sure you already know that, but if you want the transaction to be smooth for everyone, if this 4% is not accounted for, the recipient might be short..

 

[timinater]

I reccomend paypal international shipping link. You can find it on google, cuts down on the price
Also make sure he fully understands and fills out the customs forms properly. If you have any additional questions feel free to PM

Not sure how this works going from Canada --> USA, but Paypal/eBay's customs clearing fees are pretty damn high, going from USA to Canada.

+1 to preferring USD for convenience. Makes purchases in USD much easier and saves on conversion fees (that are also high).

 

[The Nuts]

I reccomend paypal international shipping link. You can find it on google, cuts down on the price
Also make sure he fully understands and fills out the customs forms properly. If you have any additional questions feel free to PM

These instructions? https://smallbusiness.chron.com/can-print-international-label-using-paypal-74521.html

 

[The Nuts]

Mike said:

The best tip you can tell him is make the chips visible to customs - wrap in clear plastic inside the box- If not customs likes to open with knives and scar chips . I leave notes inside my packages thanking customs for their time and care with my items . Hope this helps. Good luck ! Moose covered the interesting parts. Cheers

Does anybody else have experience with that?

I'm buying a set that comes in a case not just the chips so I I'd be very upset if they damaged the case.

 

[Lemonzest]

What kind of shipping should he use?

Shipping with Canada Post works well. It should arrive on your end via USPS. It is worth a bit extra money to get tracking.

If you open a business account with Canada Post you get 5% off shipping and supplies. It is worth it if you plan to ship frequently.

 

[Jeevansluck]

Mike said:


Does anybody else have experience with that?

I'm buying a set that comes in a case not just the chips so I I'd be very upset if they damaged the case.

View attachment 375710
View attachment 375712

I'm not an expert by any means, but I've never had customs open A SINGLE package I have received from the USA. Not sure what the results are with a reversal of the flow however.

I have always directed the fabulous re-shippers that help me to write something vague on the declaration like "used gaming tokens", "used poker chips" , "set of gaming tokens". I've used all these as descriptions with 100% success and have had no problem. Perhaps it's been luck, but in Canada, "gaming equipment" is infact exempt from customs and/or duties. Not sure about packages in to the USA. Have you checked for what's allowed. Then use the description to lend itself to whats allowed.

 

[Jeevansluck]

Not sure how this works going from Canada --> USA, but Paypal/Ebay's customs clearing fees are pretty damn high, going from USA to Canada.

+1 to preferring USD for convenience. Makes purchases in USD much easier and saves on conversion fees (that are also high).

I'd stick to Canada Post for Canada to USA. USA to Canada maybe is okay.

I've had 100% success ratio with Canada Post and packages into USA, and it'd be hard to convince me to change. Just my .02 cents

 

[hdgeno]

I’ve shipped hundreds of packages to the USA over the years, seamless link with USPS from Canada Post and tracking works well. Would not recommend any other shipping method. I’ll usually use expedited shipping, get a form at the post office and fill it out (very easy). It’s a little more expensive as a method but not much.

The only way I get stuff shipped here is USPS/Canada Post. Never had a lost parcel yet in too many transactions to count lol

 

[moose]

Oh yeah. Canada Post 'business' account. Haha, anyone can get one. There is no charge. Everyone should have one.

 

[Jeevansluck]

Oh yeah. Canada Post 'business' account. Haha, anyone can get one. There is no charge. Everyone should have one.

Helps save money too and it builds up some kind of credit for free shipping or something thereabouts.

They sent me 4 cards. Lmao! I use one as an emergency ice scraper for my car. So they have other uses..

 

[FordPickup92]

These instructions? https://smallbusiness.chron.com/can-print-international-label-using-paypal-74521.html

Nah that's a pain in the butt. I'll find the link for you

 

[FordPickup92]

Not sure how this works going from Canada --> USA, but Paypal/Ebay's customs clearing fees are pretty damn high, going from USA to Canada.

+1 to preferring USD for convenience. Makes purchases in USD much easier and saves on conversion fees (that are also high).

Dont think theres a fee applied, just the cost of the label

 

[LotsOfChips]

There may not be duty on chips, but if the value is more than a certain amount, taxes may apply. Inbound into Canada anything over $200 MAY be taxed at 5% plus whatever the provincial tax rate is. Going the other way is probably different, as there is no federal sales tax.

Avoid fedex/ups at all costs, as they also add a $70 brokerage fee, regardless of the shipment value.

And if you don’t want to use PPFF because he’s a new seller, be prepared to pay the extra cost to him. Or take a chance, and give him the opportunity to build up some positive feedback.

 

[Jeevansluck]

There may not be duty on chips, but if the value is more than a certain amount, taxes may apply. Inbound into Canada anything over $200 MAY be taxed at 5% plus whatever the provincial tax rate is.

Just don't declare the value. What's the point?

I've imported over 3000 chips. 7 MFRBs full, not $.01 of tax.

Just my $.02

 

[moose]

Just don't declare the value. What's the point?

I've imported over 3000 chips. 7 MFRBs full, not $.01 of tax.

Just my $.02

This is the point.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/requests-to-falsify-customs-forms.49725/

 

[LotsOfChips]

This is the point.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/requests-to-falsify-customs-forms.49725/

Also if you insure it for full value and then state on the declaration form a lower value, you may have some ‘splaining to do.

If you’re going to tell a story, tell the same story every time!

 

[CdnBeerLover]

There may not be duty on chips, but if the value is more than a certain amount, taxes may apply. Inbound into Canada anything over $200 MAY be taxed at 5% plus whatever the provincial tax rate is. Going the other way is probably different, as there is no federal sales tax.

Avoid fedex/ups at all costs, as they also add a $70 brokerage fee, regardless of the shipment value.

And if you don’t want to use PPFF because he’s a new seller, be prepared to pay the extra cost to him. Or take a chance, and give him the opportunity to build up some positive feedback.

According to CBSA, the limit is $20, or $60 if marked as a gift. I'm curious where the $200 limit comes from.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/dtytx-drttx-eng.html

 

[LotsOfChips]

According to CBSA, the limit is $20, or $60 if marked as a gift. I'm curious where the $200 limit comes from.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/dtytx-drttx-eng.html

That seems to be the magic number when driving across, although if they are busy they will often let larger amounts through.

For mail, I recently received a package at $160 with no tax applied. Again I think that $200 is their working amount, despite the regulation. Too much paperwork to charge every parcel.

For couriers (fedex/ups) that file the brokerage documents, the $20 amount applies, based on my experience.

 

[allforcharity]

It comes down to the paperwork. For a $200 package that has non-duty goods (which pretty much includes anything made in Canada, USA, or Mexico), they might charge $25 in tax. They'd rather wait for those who are declaring several hundred dollars or more otherwise their processing lines get backed up like crazy.

 

[LotsOfChips]

And those are American Dollars, so the real limit seems to be in a excess of $250 CDN