Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?  It is a CD made in the USA so I assume that there are no duties.  Do I go to Zonos first or Canada Post first and do I use snap ship?  Help I'm old and lost. 

Message 1 of 63
latest reply
62 REPLIES 62

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

You need to download the Zonos app to your phone (Android or iOS).

 

Follow the instructions on the app to enter the info for the item. (Double check HTS code, COI, value). Then you checkout and it gives you a code.

 

For a CD, it should be seamless because you do not owe any fees. 

 

Then you take the duties paid code the app gave you and you put it in when prompted on Snapship. You should be okay to drop the label in a regular mailbox if you want since it will already have the code electronically added. 

Message 2 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?


@musicyouneed wrote:

Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?  It is a CD made in the USA so I assume that there are no duties.  Do I go to Zonos first or Canada Post first and do I use snap ship?  Help I'm old and lost. 


According to my local post office, you need to get the code from Zonos before a label can be printed. I presume it works that way with Snap Ship, I know the post office requires this at the counter. I haven't tried it yet, just talked about it with my local PO.

 

I got a US buyer today too, but turns out they want the item shipped to an address in Canada. I'm accommodating because it's a low scam item (otherwise I make them repurchase, which this buyer offered to do if I wasn't comfortable redirecting).

 

I did have one US buyer yesterday and shipped with Stallion... don't know how long it will take to clear the border with Stallion or what they have to do, but it's a US item, so no tariffs. I included a page from Numista to show where the item was minted.

 

After you've shipped a few items the process will get easier. This is just another step making shipping items an annoying process.

 

C.

Message 3 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

What if you don't use online shipping services like Snapship and go to the post office instead?

 

How does that work with Zonos? Also I would need to upload Zonos on my desktop and not the Zonos app....

Message 4 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?


@silverpinups wrote:

What if you don't use online shipping services like Snapship and go to the post office instead?

 

How does that work with Zonos? Also I would need to upload Zonos on my desktop and not the Zonos app....


You get the code with Zonos and bring it in to the post office. I was told there's a QR code on your phone, or an alpha numeric code they can enter (if you're getting it off the computer). The code is case sensitive BTW.

 

I'll be using my laptop to use Zonos as well, I don't use apps on my phone.

 

C.

Message 5 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

You get a QR code and a alphanumerical code. It is shown at checkout, but it is also sent to the e-mail on your account.

 

If you want to see how it works, download the app and do a test run for a duty free item like a CD or DVD. That would show you how the process works without having to pay anything. 

Message 6 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

Well somehow I muddled through Zonos and got a label printed from snapship.  (cost was $4 more than through ebay) and printed off the label.  Where does it show about customs or tariff being considered on the label? 

Message 7 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?


@musicyouneed wrote:

Well somehow I muddled through Zonos and got a label printed from snapship.  (cost was $4 more than through ebay) and printed off the label.  Where does it show about customs or tariff being considered on the label.  


A label can't be printed after Aug 29 without the Zonos code. I haven't seen the Canada Post one, but I'd say if it's not showing then the date would tell Customs that the tariff was paid (and that information is submitted electronically with the tracking info).

 

C.

Message 8 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

I signed up for Zonos but they wanted info on my Bussiness Name which was fine (eBay name: silverpinups) but they wanted Company Name and URL.

 

I put in Https silverpinups.com because it wouldn't let me go past it or skip it.

 

I don't really have a business name anymore as I shutdown my website in 2024. I just want to use Zonos as a regular customer. Now I have a business account?

 

Also do I still need a character key/access code or whatever it's called? I'm not using any online shipping as I like to go to the Post Office.

Message 9 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

"but they wanted Company Name and URL."...

Correct me if I am wrong, but it was my understanding that one has to be a registered business to access and that would render Zonos useless for a non-business individual.

Zonos is a USA company so your Canadian business info is being collected by that USA company.

Message 10 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?


@silverpinups wrote:

I signed up for Zonos but they wanted info on my Bussiness Name which was fine (eBay name: silverpinups) but they wanted Company Name and URL.

 

I put in Https silverpinups.com because it wouldn't let me go past it or skip it.

 

I don't really have a business name anymore as I shutdown my website in 2024. I just want to use Zonos as a regular customer. Now I have a business account?

 

Also do I still need a character key/access code or whatever it's called? I'm not using any online shipping as I like to go to the Post Office.


If you're referring to the standard Zonos account with the Dashboard (and not the Prepay app), I just entered my name for "business name" and the link to my eBay store as my business URL. Worked fine. This was not a necessary step though if you intended to just buy postage at the post office - all you need for that is a Zonos Prepay account. They are two different things: Zonos account and Zonos Prepay account.

 

If all you want to do is buy postage at the post office then you need to either download the Zonos Prepay app on your phone, or use the web version of the app at app.zonosprepay.com - create an account there (it doesn't ask for any business information) and you can process the transaction to get the Declaration ID to give to the post office clerk.

Message 11 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?


@musicyouneed wrote:

Well somehow I muddled through Zonos and got a label printed from snapship.  (cost was $4 more than through ebay) and printed off the label.  Where does it show about customs or tariff being considered on the label? 


There is nothing physically printed on the label regarding the tariff being prepaid. The fact that you were able to print the label is confirmation enough that the required information is there. When the barcode is scanned at customs, they will be able to see the details you provided to Zonos; it's stored electronically as data within the barcode.

Message 12 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

Are you putting the COO and HS Code on the package, in addition to the label?   

Message 13 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

Yes this is what I write on the back.  I have been doing that even before Aug 29/25

 

IMG_8598.jpg

Message 14 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

@silverpinups wrote:

I signed up for Zonos but they wanted info on my Bussiness Name which was fine (eBay name: silverpinups) but they wanted Company Name and URL.

 

I put in Https silverpinups.com because it wouldn't let me go past it or skip it.

 

I don't really have a business name anymore as I shutdown my website in 2024. I just want to use Zonos as a regular customer. Now I have a business account?

 

Also do I still need a character key/access code or whatever it's called? I'm not using any online shipping as I like to go to the Post Office.

If you're referring to the standard Zonos account with the Dashboard (and not the Prepay app), I just entered my name for "business name" and the link to my eBay store as my business URL. Worked fine. This was not a necessary step though if you intended to just buy postage at the post office - all you need for that is a Zonos Prepay account. They are two different things: Zonos account and Zonos Prepay account.

 

If all you want to do is buy postage at the post office then you need to either download the Zonos Prepay app on your phone, or use the web version of the app at app.zonosprepay.com - create an account there (it doesn't ask for any business information) and you can process the transaction to get the Declaration ID to give to the post office clerk.

 

Major thank you that was so easy.... This is exactly what I need.  I tried it on a Vintage Hollywood Photograph @ 100.00 and there was no duty or tariff.

Message 15 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?


@byto253 wrote:

Are you putting the COO and HS Code on the package, in addition to the label?   


This is not a requirement, no.

That information is already printed on the shipping label, and is part of the AED (Advanced Electronic Data) stored in the barcode of the package. I'm not sure what putting it on the package (separate from the label) would accomplish; most packages clear customs without anyone even physically looking at the package. It's all done electronically unless something gets flagged and they want to take a closer look at the package.

Message 16 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?


@byto253 wrote:

Are you putting the COO and HS Code on the package, in addition to the label?   


I forgot to do so on a shipment last week and it still cleared customs and was delivered to the buyer.

Message 17 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

I just did my first USA label with zonos, and it went pretty smoothly. It was a Audio CD Set so I guess no tarriffs or duties?

Zonos gave me the the Declaration ID and I entered it into Snap Ship and everything was fine, printed the label.

 

However at the bottom of the Zonos reciept page it says this: 

Duties have not been paid
Continue to your local postal counter for further instructions.
 
Does that mean there could still be duties?
Message 18 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

"However at the bottom of the Zonos reciept page it says this: 

Duties have not been paid
Continue to your local postal counter for further instructions.
 
Does that mean there could still be duties?"
 
I saw that too and was wondering.  Now I do know that CD's made in the US there is no tariff so I am not worried.  Plus I wrote the info on the back of the package.
Message 19 of 63
latest reply

Re: Well I just got my first USA buyer now what?

I was wondering as the post said that the COO and Country did not show up on the label generated after doing Zonos.   As you indicate, it should not make a difference. 

Message 20 of 63
latest reply