eBay

chicweb · ‎08-27-2025

I'm doing it, guys. Taking the risk for the good of humanity (ok, maybe I'm over-exagerating, but hey.... I'll give it a shot).

I will let you know how it goes.

First it's a Magazine made in USA.

- 4902.90 = In USMCA. Should not be tariffed.

- Made in USA = Clearly stated in Magazine and in COO.

- Used UPS United States. Sent EDI by eBay Labels (No need of any paperworks attached)

- Valued at less than 2500$ US. (See below)

- I have contacted the buyer telling them there might have fees collected at the reception. (brokeage /tariff fees?). They accepted and understood.

I will update this thread to tell you how it goes. Will go bring it to the UPS store tomorrow to make sure it is going to pass the border after the 29 of August. It's a test, and I don't care paying any fees if there's a problem. I want to see how it goes.

As per the 2500$ USD, here is the explanation

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/USMCA/FAQs

Are there exceptions to USMCA’s certification of origin requirement?
A certification of origin is not required for: (1) a non-commercial importation of a good, or (2) a commercial importation for which the value of the originating goods does not exceed US $2,500, provided the importation does not form part of a series of importations that may be considered to have been undertaken or arranged for purposes of evading United States laws, regulations, or procedures governing claims for preferential treatment. Note that even if the value of non-originating goods is less than US $2,500, a written statement certifying that the goods originate may still be required. Further, if CBP determines that an importation is part of a series of importations carried out or planned for purposes of evading compliance with preference requirements, the importer may be required to submit a certification of origin.

wilsonharborsales · ‎08-28-2025

I have used UPS and FedEx many times for cross-border shipments. You will not be aware of the charges, fees, brokerage costs, fines etc until a few weeks after delivery when the bill comes in the mail.

chicweb · ‎08-28-2025

Yes, I will update the thread too when those fees come. I will check if it corresponds to the amount I paid for the label or if they added more.

biglittleape · ‎08-28-2025

FedEx does the sneaky mailed invoice, they are getting better now, sometimes I get notification on the tracking page to pay prior to delivery. If you open a website account with them they can charge your cc automatically based on the delivery address. They are not as good as UPS in this area still.

UPS always has the payment link on the tracking, they even send text messages and automated phone calls regarding charges to be paid. I don't remember ever having received an unexpected invoice from them in the mail. They ask for payment at the door if you don't pay ahead of time.

byto253 · ‎08-28-2025

Hmmm, something about trusting UPS or Fedex with my credit card number in their files give me qualms.

ilikehockeyjerseys · ‎08-28-2025

Try HTS code 8523.49.4000 (movies) or 8523.49.3000 (music CDs). Media appears to be duty free on both Chit Chats and Zonos (Canada Post). I have not tested this for vinyl or video games. It doesn't seem to matter if the COI is Canada, USA, Mexico, or even Japan.

But it appears that you don't need to use an informational materials HTS code to get the exemption.

It should be noted that despite being duty free, both have additional processing fees ($2 for Chit Chats, $4 for Zonos). With the margins on media being very slim, this might be a consideration for some sellers.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎08-28-2025

@chicweb wrote:
It's OK. I'm ready for it 🙂

And, as a bonus, if there's any problems (customer refuse the fees), I will even document what happened, what I did, if I contact eBay about questions for refunds in this scenario, everything.

So, let's wait and see.

If you can, could you give us a breakdown on the fees, all the fees, nothing but the fees so help you @chicweb . Interested to gleen if it will be a break even experiment. Best of luck. Hopefully not too long of a wait for UPS to forward ALL the charges!!

chicweb · ‎08-28-2025

Item is now in the hands of the UPS Gods.

I'll do some prayers and maybe sacrifices to help during the wait period.

Next update: When it goes through the border. Should be sometime next week, because it's a drop spot, next monday is a national holiday and I don't know when the driver will pick it up.

vintage_america · ‎08-28-2025

The UPS tracking number should show if there is an amount owing to recipient within 3 days of shipment at the latest. Sometimes sooner. Click on the actual UPS link though. Not just the tracking info on eBay. It breaks down the charges by category as well.

dos-days · ‎08-28-2025

Good luck!

I just updated my rate tables and shipping policy to include a $10 handling fee for the aggravation of navigating all this and filling in required paperwork, and I set the base fee for the first 100g to $35 via FedEx. I also stated in my shipping policy page that no US sales are final until a shipping quote has been provided and accepted. That should put the brakes on sales until the dust settles a bit, and reduce my exposure to backcharges etc.

Now I just have to worry about shipping a $100 car audio piece that was made in Thailand. Gaaah! Purchase was made before the policy changes, so the shipping rate is going to change too. I am tempted to encourage the buyer to cancel her purchase rather than tempt fate.

I'm looking forward to seeing some positive news on this thread soon, though. US buyers made up close to 1/2 of my sales!

kh-calisto · ‎08-28-2025

No action required.

chicweb · ‎08-29-2025

Arrived today in PLATTSBURGH, NY.

Driver was quick, they got it the same day of the drop off, yesterday.

Next step: When the customer receives it.

mrdutch1001 · ‎08-29-2025

UPS>it has been reported by sellers on my other selling site that a CUSMA processing fee may be applicable, with the UPS Fee of $21.25 USD per line item on the customs invoice...hopefully someone can verify that...

chicweb · ‎08-29-2025

Weird since less than 2500$ USD, no certificate of origin should be needed at all for CUSMA compliance.

I will see what happen with this experiment. If I get billed in a month (when eBay takes the final amount for the label), I will also let people know.

Until then, we might have other shipping options available. (Canada Post + Zonos on Ebay, eIS). Will see.

artofadornment · ‎08-30-2025

Just shipped some of my handmade imitation jewelry (HS 7117.19, valued about $30 CAD) to the USA today with UPS via Worldwide Expedited service. I used NetParcel as I always do, which creates a Commercial Invoice and submits it electronically by default, so no worries there. I was able to select to have my NetParcel account be billed for any duty fees if any are charged (DDP). However they don't provide a Certificate of Origin, nor a way to upload one, so I attached my own to the outside of the parcel - even though for a shipment valued at less than $2500, one should not be needed. The employee at the UPS Store said that this should be fine, when I dropped off the parcel.

I'm using that service specifically because effective yesterday, UPS is now supposedly charging $10 on "Standard US" (the cheapest one), and will be charging $2.50 for all Express services in Sept. This is in addition to any other fees they may be charging.

According to NetParcel, there is a $21.50 fee for "customs processing", but it's not clear how and where it may apply. I couldn't find rererence to this anywhere at UPS. Will update if I do.

Regardless, I think I may be removing an UPS options. Their structure is so sneaky about fees that I can't in good conscience keep giving them my business. So far Purolator has been great - had an order delivered (exact same product) yesterday, and no word yet of any duty charges. Also no hidden fees yet, but again I will update here if anything happens. I also attached a COO to the outside of the parcel, just in case.

chicweb · ‎08-31-2025

Are you using Purolator to ship to the States ? I'm curious about their fees. I don't know enough about them, yet.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎08-31-2025

@chicweb wrote:
Are you using Purolator to ship to the States ? I'm curious about their fees. I don't know enough about them, yet.

@chicweb

Purolator does not have a flat customs clearance fee for shipments to the USA; the cost is a combination of duties and taxes levied by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the product itself, plus potential brokerage fees charged by Purolator to handle the import process.

(Old system where buyer paid above. Now you will have to pay in advance on behalf of your buyer.)

Customs Clearance & Brokerage for Export Shipments

Shippers in Canada will enjoy preferred customs clearance charges when they elect to pay the customs clearance charges for Purolator Express® U.S. and Purolator Express® Ground U.S. shipments to the U.S. that are cleared by Purolator’s default broker.

Assigning a Customs Broker for U.S. Shipments

When shipping to the U.S. with the Purolator Ground® U.S. service, you have the option of selecting your own customs broker. The customs broker must be a licensed U.S. customs broker and be able to clear Purolator shipments moving through our delivery network. If a customs broker is not assigned on the commercial invoice or bill of lading, we will assign an approved customs broker on your behalf according to the Purolator Terms and Conditions of Service.

Note: Customers are not able to select an alternate customs broker for Purolator Express® U.S. and Purolator Express® International shipments as all customs clearance will be performed by Purolator’s designated broker.

It just suggests in several places to confirm if or how much customs clearance will be on US shipments to contact them in advance of sending. From past personal experience Purolator ground methods to the USA were usually more expensive in comparison to UPS or even Fedex Ground. New concern would be how much extra would it be for the customs clearance charges?)

artofadornment · ‎09-02-2025

@chicweb - as @lotzofuniquegoodies shared, Purolator's rates for customs clearance are not flat, and so difficult to assume. But their service rates are generally comparable to UPS. I've been using NetParcel to get discounted rates for both, and they're extremely reasonable, averaging ~$16.50 CAD for Purolator USA Ground (lower 48 only, I think) on a small parcel about 27x20x2cm from Winnipeg. UPS compares at ~$13 CAD for USA Standard (definitely lower 48 only)... but no word yet if the new flat $10 fee on UPS Standard shipments is going to be applied after-the-fact on NetParcel monthly invoices. I'm thinking it might be, because every other 3rd-party shipper service that provides UPS rates has USA Standard starting ~$23 CAD. I might risk doing a shipment that way just to be sure.

Since the 24th, 2 of my 3 Purolator parcels (containing USMCA-compliant products only) shipped via NetParcel have already been delivered in the USA, and so far no mention of customs fees. Mind you, I have no idea what Netparcel's billing cycle is, it could be weeks before I see if any charges are owing. But there technically shouldn't be any, since I also attached a Certificate of Origin to the outside of the parcel (not required for value under $2500 but I did it anyway). My UPS Expedited (also USMCA-ok) only got picked up today, so I'll know by Thurs if it's delivered without incident. As for duty charges, it might take longer before I find out.

@mrdutch1001 - Adding to my previous comment in this thread: the $21.25 fee is in USD per line-item on the Commercial Invoice for CUSMA packages, charged by NetParcel for shipments via UPS that come from the USA to Canada. This fee applies regardless of the item value or service level. I've messaged them to further clarify if it's a fee they charge on shipments travelling the other way as well, but it doesn't sound like it is.

mrdutch1001 · ‎09-02-2025

During the CP postal disruption there several months back, I did use Purolator(NetParcel via PayPal) for shipments to the USA...it was more expensive than CP Tracked Packet, but was doable and worked well...

BUT, now I am not shipping to the USA period! I am not pre-paying Trump Tariffs and I am not risking getting billed later for any additional costs, fees,etc...

vintagenorth · ‎09-02-2025

@artofadornment

Even though I probably don't require one for my items, where does one find a Certificate of Origin? Is it only for brand new items that you have purchased new from the manufacturer? Thanks.