Author Topic: Shipping Larger Item From The States? (Read 4106 times)

josh · « **on:** November 08, 2007, 12:07:48 PM »

What would be the best way to ship a transmission from the US to here?

egspot · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2007, 12:40:11 PM »

I would use US Mail parcel service, DHL Ground service or UPS to Washington. I would request they send it to Blaine of Point Roberts, Keep my paperwork and clear it at the border. If they ship to Canada you can add an additional 35-50 bucks for brokerage by either carrier.

surgerypending · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2007, 01:07:40 PM »

Ya, its a good time to buy from the states. Looks like CIP doesn't want to adjust any of their pricing so i'm only gonna buy from them what I need in a hurry or can't get else where. We're at a buck ten last time I checked....even with brokerage fees Canadian pricing should be aleast the same as their US pricing.

amishrabbi · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2007, 01:22:35 PM »

greyhound? altho i dont know if a company would do that

josh · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2007, 01:59:17 PM »

it's from an individual not a company. I try and get most of the things I buy shipped USPS, i've had the best luck not getting nailed by customs.
I didn't know what the size/weight limit was for USPS.
UPS is a joke, I won't deal with them anymore.
I want to order some BAD brakes and he will only ship UPS. So will some other bigger companies that can't take the time to run down to the post office to fill out forms.........understandable.
I've thought about what was suggested before to ship to blaine to one of those places and go down and pick a bunch of stuff up all at once, but what am I gonna get charged if I make a day trip down and come back across the boarder?
I know that 25 year old car is duty free but are the parts for an antique vehicle exempt of the 6.1% too? Then just declare the taxes?

egspot · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2007, 03:15:09 PM »

Quote

it's from an individual not a company. I try and get most of the things I buy shipped USPS, i've had the best luck not getting nailed by customs.
I didn't know what the size/weight limit was for USPS.
UPS is a joke, I won't deal with them anymore.
I want to order some BAD brakes and he will only ship UPS. So will some other bigger companies that can't take the time to run down to the post office to fill out forms.........understandable.
I've thought about what was suggested before to ship to blaine to one of those places and go down and pick a bunch of stuff up all at once, but what am I gonna get charged if I make a day trip down and come back across the boarder?
I know that 25 year old car is duty free but are the parts for an antique vehicle exempt of the 6.1% too? Then just declare the taxes?

My experience has been that when they deliver to Point Roberts at the Letter Carrier c/o my self with my phone number, they will call me and I can even track it. It would not matter who delivers it and I just bring IDs on a Saturdays for my trip. My charges are ussually for GST and PST, there has never been any duties on my parts.

vanBoven · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2007, 03:15:44 PM »

road trip

DEADLYTOYS · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2007, 05:24:08 PM »

I heard of a place close to the border ...Ship Happens...they have a website too . they provide an address and means to get stuff shipped to the border. I've never used them just heard of them ...shiphappenssumas.com

Brassmonkey · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2007, 05:36:18 PM »

Ship happens is at the Sumas border crossing, I've delt with them with no problems many times. It mite be easier to just ship it to your house rather than hop on the ferrie and then drive to the border just to save a little I'm mean at what the dollar is at now why not.

DonO · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2007, 05:40:28 PM »

I use Ship Happens all the time, maybe a dozen times over the last 5 years, never a problem. I agree that UPS is bad and always request USPS, especially if it is to be shipped right to Quesnel. That way I only pay $5 brokerage, not the $50 UPS charges. And I also only pay GST and PST, no duty, except ... last month when I went down to pick up 2 Porsche Turbo mags and tires for my German Looker the Canada border guard couldn't find any customs forms in his cubbyhole, so he said, \"this is your lucky day, have a nice trip!.

josh · « **Reply #10 on:** November 08, 2007, 06:06:58 PM »

well in total i'm looking at 7-8 grand worth of parts, so I don't really wanna gamble having it shipped across the boarder to my house and getting dinged on that dollar amount :wacko:
ship happens is the company I was thinking of, thanks i'll probably do that.

nivag · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2007, 07:12:19 PM »

josh, Call Darby at Point to Point in Point Roberts(by Tsawassen crossing). Super friendly people and that boarder crossing is a joke so super easy/ quick to jump across and pick stuff up. Most items you will just have to pay tax and no duty.

Bruce · « **Reply #12 on:** November 08, 2007, 07:46:19 PM »

Josh, I will second Gavin's recommendation. They are about 10-15 min from the ferry terminal and shipping to Pt Roberts is the same as to Blaine.

josh · « **Reply #13 on:** November 08, 2007, 08:20:27 PM »

very good to know, thanks guys

Dan · « **Reply #14 on:** November 09, 2007, 05:10:10 AM »

I purchased a mold from Indiana,I used Fed-ex freight,they were hundred's cheaper than most carriers,have A&A customs broker's handle the cross border stuff ,And you can pick -up your parts in Burnaby or they will ship too your address on the island,Dan

robinson · « **Reply #15 on:** November 10, 2007, 07:52:47 AM »

all customs wants is money i came across last night and only payed gst on 1800 bucks worth of parts. i have a mailing address in blaine, i can pick stuff any day for you and hold it for you give me a pm if need be

josh · « **Reply #16 on:** November 10, 2007, 09:03:25 AM »

wicked thanks for the offer, I may take you up on that

Bruce · « **Reply #17 on:** November 10, 2007, 12:30:44 PM »

Quote

... only payed gst on 1800 bucks worth of parts.

What about PST?

wrascal · « **Reply #18 on:** November 10, 2007, 05:45:41 PM »

Something you should watch if you ever (shudder) have to use UPS. They have a maximum size package, over that and it gets really expensive fast. I had a couple of fiberglass parts made up and sent up from the US. As it was 2 inches too long, it could not go by weight (only about 5 lbs) and instead of costing $45, it was almost $200 instead. OWCH!

Russ

Island bugs · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2007, 11:16:58 PM »

Josh
There's ONE great way to ship to the island. Seawings Express. You arrange to use their Blaine address which opens you up to most US shippers. they pick it up in Blaine and bring it to their bonded warehouse at the Victoria airport. They call you, you pick up the papers and go to the airport, clear the goods yourself and they release them to you. A nominal freight fee and NO BROKERAGE !! They are good people and you'll never ship any other way again. I think they may do the same service to Vancouver??
Wayne
http://www.ibegin.com/canada/british-colum...air-pl-104.html

josh · « **Reply #20 on:** November 13, 2007, 02:32:29 PM »

wayne that sounds like the best option yet, eliminates the $170+ ferry ride

i'll definately be phoning them, thanks

Bruce · « **Reply #21 on:** November 25, 2007, 10:44:06 PM »

Wayne, a few days after you posted that tip, a buddy of mine in Vic asked me the best way to ship into Canada. He was initially going to use UPS, but instead I passed on your recommendation to use Seawings. Here's his reply today:

Just thought I'd drop a line to say that the tires
arrived in Victoria 7 days after I placed my order.
The fees from Seawings were less than the incremental
shipping from UPS would have been.

Seawings called to say the order was in, I went to
their office, got the paperwork, went next door to the
airport customs office and paid PST, GST and duty,
then back to Seawings for the tires. Quick and
painless.

Thanks for the tip - I'll be using them again.

Island bugs · « **Reply #22 on:** November 26, 2007, 11:32:58 PM »

Bruce
Great to hear that! They have certainly pleased a lot of people here. It's not cheap or easy for us to just run across the border from the Island.
wayne

72vwtype2 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 04, 2008, 01:55:20 PM »

I have located a month (Jan) correct 36hp case for my 1958 bug in California. It appears from the advice and comments from this great thread. That using USPS and Ship Happens (or Point to Point) is a fairly relaible and cheap method of getting delivery. I don't think weight or size should be an issue, since I am only buying the case halves.

Does anyone forsee any problems?

Any better methods?

Thanks.

Bruce · « **Reply #24 on:** January 04, 2008, 11:46:58 PM »

My preference when shipping within the US to Pt Roberts is UPS. They have tracking the post office can't match. I use Point to Point in Pt Roberts. You need to register with this co to receive packages. You could email your info ahead of time (I can supply you with an email addy). Name, address, phone number and email is all they want.

If you want to use the post office to send items to any of the private mail box locations in Pt Roberts or Blaine, you first have to go down to that co and register with them. The USPS initiated a new rule that the receiving co must have a photocopy of your driver's licence on file before they will deliver items in your name to the private mail co.