Sending USPS to Canada

[Smitty37]

I have heard that Canada has changed their postal delivery system and don't do door to door everyday delivery any more.

I have a couple of questions.

1. Is that true.

2. If it is true is there any delivery speed advantage by sending parcels USPS Priority Mail International over USPS First Class International Parcel Service?

It seems that for packages less than 3 pounds there is a pretty good sized price advantage to first class. I do have to update my shipping to Canada due to chages in the UAPS shipping to Canada which is now zoned.

 

[anthonyd]

Hi Smitty,

It is true. Canada Post is slowly phasing out home delivery. We have community mail boxes that are usually within a block of one's home. As far as speed advantage is concerned it all depends on customs. I have had packages come within days while others have taken over a month to arrive with torn packaging and contents missing.

Tony

 

[1080Wayne]

Canada Post is in the process of phasing it out in some cities , going to outdoor community mailboxes , so people will have to walk a block or two to get their mail . Small parcels would probably go in those boxes . A card directing which post office to go to to pick up larger parcels would be left .

Some might argue that the program trades physically fit employed letter carriers for unemployed letter carriers plus a smidgin of improved physical fitness for the greater population as a whole . Canada Post says it just saves money .

Living in a rural area , I just laugh at city dwellers complaints . I drive 5 miles one way to get my Mon , Wed , Fri deliveries to those same boxes that are being installed in the cities . If I get a notice of a large parcel , I drive a further 15 miles into town to the post office , then 20 miles to get back home .

The USPS will have to take a similar approach pretty soon , from what I have read of their financial state . May we both live long enough to see it ! (I enjoy reading your posts . )

 

[lorbay]

They never had door to door in rural areas and smaller towns. They have what they caller super mail boxes in a specific area and you have your own key and go get it. If the parcel is too large they leave a notice in there and you have to got to P/ O and pick it up. Not sure on USPS advantages for shipping priority over 1st class international. But in Canada all parcels go air now.
Here is a quote I got yesterday for shipping of 2 kg to US. Xpresspost USA 5 days Guaranteed $44.50. Expedited USA 5 days $29.50. Both have tracking and $100.00 ins
They are now talking about no home delivery in cities. So you can see our mail system is going down the toilet as they are doing away with more jobs but keep raising the prices. They could make a ton of money if they would go to flat rate shipping like you have. I love USPS.
Lin

 

[Rick_G]

For speed it likely doesn't make much difference which way you go. The biggest holdup seems to be customs although I have found if I keep my orders under $100 they tend to not bother. Do not ship by courier though. They charge a fee for clearing customs which on a low value order can be more than the item is worth.

 

[builtbybill]

Hi Smitty,

It is true. Canada Post is slowly phasing out home delivery. We have community mail boxes that are usually within a block of one's home. As far as speed advantage is concerned it all depends on customs. I have had packages come within days while others have taken over a month to arrive with torn packaging and contents missing.

Tony

Our postal service is not much better. Just bought a brand new house, came with a brand new mailbox, after a week of not getting mail we went to the post office and they said we were not supposed to have a mailbox. Next day our mailbox was gone and construction was started for a kiosk at the end of our street. Not what we had hoped for with a new house, but at least they will deliver large packages right to our door.

 

[magpens]

"To your door" delivery is still the practice in most of Canada.

There is not much difference if any between USPS Priority and First Class in terms of when I receive .... maybe a day or two.

 

[maxwell_smart007]

Odd how each area differs...

I live in a big town/small city, and I still get door-to-door...but Canada post is planning on phasing it out (but we do have an Election coming up, so who knows!)

It's still door-to-door at the moment, with new areas getting supermailboxes.

No difference in Priority vs First Class for me, except cost...

 

[Smitty37]

Thank you all for your replies...this will help me structure my shipping to Canada.

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Smitty, I have always had a flat rate shipping to Canada, here and overseas and have found that no matter which way I ship, International first class (up to I think is three pounds) or International Priority to Canada, they seem to arrive at the same time. I have for the last two years only shipped International first class and refund the customer any savings.

 

[Smitty37]

Smitty, I have always had a flat rate shipping to Canada, here and overseas and have found that no matter which way I ship, International first class (up to I think is three pounds) or International Priority to Canada, they seem to arrive at the same time. I have for the last two years only shipped International first class and refund the customer any savings.

Thanks Roy. I have flat rate shipping set up as well but based on SFRB international. I might be changing that. Where I get a problem is when I offer free shipping in the USA my store software won't let me just offer a discount to Canada or other international.

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Smitty, I have always had a flat rate shipping to Canada, here and overseas and have found that no matter which way I ship, International first class (up to I think is three pounds) or International Priority to Canada, they seem to arrive at the same time. I have for the last two years only shipped International first class and refund the customer any savings.

Thanks Roy. I have flat rate shipping set up as well but based on SFRB international. I might be changing that. Where I get a problem is when I offer free shipping in the USA my store software won't let me just offer a discount to Canada or other international.

Could you not just use a discount code equal to local flat rate shipping , that way every one gets the same discount?

 

[Lucky2]

Postal service to my area hasn't changed much, they still deliver mail to the mailbox I have at the end of my driveway. And, if I have a parcel that is to large for the mailbox, they deliver it to the door. I like shippers who use USPS, and I don't use shippers that use UPS or any other courier, simply because they cost to much. As for a difference in the two ways you listed, there is none for the receiver unless one type costs more.
Len

 

[Smitty37]

Smitty, I have always had a flat rate shipping to Canada, here and overseas and have found that no matter which way I ship, International first class (up to I think is three pounds) or International Priority to Canada, they seem to arrive at the same time. I have for the last two years only shipped International first class and refund the customer any savings.

Thanks Roy. I have flat rate shipping set up as well but based on SFRB international. I might be changing that. Where I get a problem is when I offer free shipping in the USA my store software won't let me just offer a discount to Canada or other international.

Could you not just use a discount code equal to local flat rate shipping , that way every one gets the same discount?

Maybe but my store handles discount codes a little funny and I don't particularily like to use them but it is food for thought.

 

[Smitty37]

Postal service to my area hasn't changed much, they still deliver mail to the mailbox I have at the end of my driveway. And, if I have a parcel that is to large for the mailbox, they deliver it to the door. I like shippers who use USPS, and I don't use shippers that use UPS or any other courier, simply because they cost to much. As for a difference in the two ways you listed, there is none for the receiver unless one type costs more.
Len

Up to a certain weight, 4 pounds I think, Priority mail does cost more. Over 4 pounds I don't think First Class Parcel can be used. Also there is a limit on the dollar value on first class.