Proof that Americans are overreacting wrt shipping to Canada.

[zunato]

This is the key issue.

My question is, if you go to an American post office, is it possible to send, say, a single card for less than $9 US.

I live in Canada, so that particular problem doesn't happen to me. As @faceoff77 has said, I have never paid more than $2.95 to send a bubble mailer to the US. You guys in the US shouldn't have to pay so much to send to Canada.

When I send 1-4 base cards I put them in a #000 bubble mailer and use the kiosk at the post office, usually pay around $2.50. Never had one returned. Only drawback is no tracking. Have not had a problem and usually get there faster then the ones that go with a customs form.

[gfel2795]

I am trying to print this label at home and getting an error message:

Unable to print the requested label at this time. The following error occurred.
The value entered on the customs form is invalid. Please check it and try again.

No matter what value I type in I get this message.


I have it labeled :

First Class
Large Envelope

On customs:

Package Information: Documents
Description: Paper
Item Weight: 3 oz.

It is less than 3/4 inch thick and less than 14 inches.

Does anybody know the way around this?

[gfel2795]

I retried the whole process and it worked! $0.50 value was the charm.

[gfel2795]

Like I said, some people go into the post office and get jipped. Savvy collectors ship via "Large Envelope". If you have a printer at home and have Paypal you can ship up North for a few bucks using the method I described in post 9.
I recently shipped 125 cards, carefully packaged so that the 14" padded envelope did not exceed 3/4" thickness - postage was $5.

Thanks Maggot, killer post that really helps clarify!!

Looks like the best bubble mailers for mailing the most cards to Canada under 3/4" thickness and under 15" length and under 12" height are the #4 type.

https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Bubble.../dp/B009MPBBSY


This one is EXCELY 15", not sure it will work:

https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Bubble.../dp/B009MPB9KO

[Maggot]

Glad it's working out! I usually order the generic PE's on Ebay,
Here's 100 #00 (good size for small card shipments) for $15 https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-00-5x10...AAAOSwMNxXaCRU

And 100 #3 (good for the larger shipments) for $25 https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-3-8-5x1...YAAOSwM4xXaBov


I did notice that after the February USPS updates Large Envelope tracking numbers no longer work on the Canada Post website. Also seem to be taking a couple of days longer than before.
Oh well, it still makes trading with Canadians a viable option.

[nerf2003]

I've been using my COMC mailbox when I see a large shipping amount, or unable to ship US to Canada, or Global Shipping Program. If not, I would've lost out on some great cards. And then I send home 1-2 times a year.

Most of it is PC, so I don't worry about value increasing/decreasing.

[doniceage]

Gotta do it from a home printer and drop in a mailbox...post office is no-go.

It can be a go if you get a friendly clerk and they not been trained incorrectly. I have one clerk who will ship packages that look to be under the 3/4inch but if I packed them in 50 counts it gonna be the higher prices. The other three do not even look they just check all at the higher price.

Don

[doniceage]

I've been using my COMC mailbox when I see a large shipping amount, or unable to ship US to Canada, or Global Shipping Program. If not, I would've lost out on some great cards. And then I send home 1-2 times a year.

Most of it is PC, so I don't worry about value increasing/decreasing.

Definitely a viable option for some.

Don

[MR.M's Cards]

@cardsaresofun

[Craig2]

This is why I don't mind paying for my American PO box. Saves so much time and cost.