Over the Border Shipping Question!!! Post your Opinion

[Goose97]

Sometimes I have to fill out a form, and sometimes I don't. It's really random, but to answer one of your questions regarding the value of the cards, I never put the real value down. I randomly use $10 or $15, or even $19, and only classify the items as cards.
One thing I have learned from other traders, that if you put a value of $20 or higher on your claim, it then becomes subject to import duty. I'm not too sure on this, but I don't want to take the risk, and help penalize my trading partner down south.
Another thing I learned that if you were to ever use BV on the package, then you better damn well use tracking and insurance, say per chance you put a value of $500, and went as far as calling them Hockey Cards. Very tempting for them to go missing in the mail.

[alpinemedic]

As of July, 09 any packages leaving the US for foreign ports must have a customs declaration. I learned the hard way when they sent my bubble mailer back.

[PsychoPig]

I've looked into this myself after getting varied results from each person at the post office.

Their rule is, if it's paperwork/documents, you don't need to declare it. If it's anything else, you do. SOOOO the long and short of it is that since you're putting it in plastic cases etc, you are supposed to fill out a declaration form.

[Habs1901]

I never used custom forms when sending cards to the US or international traders and never had problems..

I guess the best answer is it depends of the post office and the employee.

[geschrocks33]

I 100% always have to use a Customs Form if it's going anywhere outside the U.S. I put the description as "Card" and value as $10

[maple19]

you must put customs on before post office will accept it if not it will come back to you if a light package or parcel

mike..

[Rangrsuk]

Anything outside of the US requires a custom form. Yes, a card is made out of paper, but it is NOT "paper." Trying to use this little loophole only sets you up for delays and possibly more.

As for the "getting burned" statement, believe me, no one wants to get burned, but most of the things I sell (cards, but some of the other items I sell as well) end up going way up north, so I'd be depriving myself of additional moolah if I didn't offer to ship out side the country. While it is not fool proof, I pack any international (outside USA) item and then take a picture of it clearly showing the customs form attached so that when the postal clerk hands me my receipt, I now have corresponding customs numbers on the receipt as well as photo documentation. It only takes a few extra seconds. Then I try to let that person know as soon as possible so they have a very good idea that I mean business and definitely shipped it. You can track a customs number to at least show it arrived at the appropriate station. Not fool proof, but better than not doing it.

[Habs1901]

you must put customs on before post office will accept it if not it will come back to you if a light package or parcel

mike..

Mike,

I always go to the same post office and they never used custom forms on my envelopes when I ship cards. It will become a light package or parcel if the envelopes doesn't pass in the slots they use.

[zunato]

I always use the declaration form just to be safe. It already takes long enough to go from the US to Canada, so why hold it up even more.

[ComancheKeen]

I send to the US all the time, and I just buy a roll of stamps for the US ($1 a piece as of yesterday) and slap two of them on my bubble mailer and drop them in a mailbox. Never had problems with customs opening them up or major delays of any kind. However when shipping Xpresspost I actually go into the post office and declare the value on the form (sale value).