As a LBer who has lived (and shipped ) from both sides of the border..here is our slant on the mailing issue...

TO MAIL TO CANADA - Airmail is best. Try to keep the weight and size under the package/parcel weight minimums. (saves US a bundle when we mail back to the USA).

You CANNOT use Priority Post to Canada. Domestic use only.

You MAY use Global Priority, but it's not worth it to here, as mail arrives just as quick (usually WITHIN 7 DAYS). Dont let the posties fool you into paying for services you neither want nor need.

You cannot use postal outlets to mail parcels to Canada. You have to use the main POs. Letters can be sent from outlets (although not all outlet clerks know this...)

By the way, there is also no delivery confirmation to Canada (unless you pay horrendous amounts extra).

Finally. remember that Canada is on the same continent as the USA, and things often get here quicker than they would CA to AZ (I know this from experience).

Soooo, bottom line is...use Airmail where possible. Parcel Post for all others. Avoid needless and expensive "extras". BTW, the prettier the package, the more excited my kids get :)

Cheers, Jiggs

"(saves US a bundle when we mail back to the USA)"

I though I might save some money mailing PLBs to Canadian addresses, and started up an all-Canadian address PLB ring. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the postage to mail to and address a mere three hour drive away (and no border to cross) costs more than sending to the midwestern States...

Go figure.

Trailfeathers

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When shipping international PACKAGES, you have to have a USPS Customs form (two types; depends on the weight) on the box. Envelopes can be mailed from anywhere, assuming proper postage is attached

This is basically true. Having received many PLB's from the States now I can tell you:

*Envelopes can be mailed from anywhere but of course you need to know the postage amount for the weight and you have choices whether you ship ground, air, global and the price varies for each.

*Global is the only one that uses it's own envelope but you can still stick the fancy one inside.

*You will either use no customs slip at all (if it weighs next to nothing) but 99% of postals even the light ones have the simple green one on them. Once you have filled out 1 you can do it in your sleep.

Other than a customs form, slightly more postage, and a bit more time, there is no difference in mailing to Canada than the US.

If any one wants or needs extra info, or ever has any questions about sending postals to Canada please AQ mail me, I receive a package or more almost everyday.

Red Soup

I do that, have all my customs forms filled out at home and I tell you, the US ones are much nicer to fill out. I have to put my address and the sendee's address on them as well as the declaration. However, because my address is on this form the post office doesn't care that the other return address is US so it works well for me.
Red Soup

Yes! lots of tape is good although I have used "Goo Be Gone" with great results when it is one of those shiny envelopes.

Red Soup

Yes, I too put them as a gift and I put $1.00 value for each PLB in the envelope (so if I send a HH I put $2.00)

Red Soup

Yes Moonbunny's were very light so she did not need the slips. I used them going back as i don't know the rules on this end but they were lovely to mail back at $1.78 each. That girl can make a light postal!!!!

Red Soup

I agree with everything Jiggs says except the Global Priority. That will get it to Canada in a week almost for sure but everything else is about a week and a half to two weeks. Which doesn't mean you need to use Global, it's not that much longer. GLOBAL DOES GIVE YOU A TRACKING # because Webfoot gives these to me when she ships. I don't know if they track inside Canada, but they definatley let you know what happens to the package in the US, still unless this PLB is so special you will die without it or it has tones of cash in it (A girl can dream!) you don't really need that service. It is three weeks if you don't ship air. It's fine with me if you ship it ground to save money but you aren't aloud to start panicking for three weeks ok? Seriously though, air is the way to go and THIS ******Try to keep the weight and size under the package/parcel weight minimums****** THIS IS WONDERFUL! I can ship it back air for under $5 if you do this. Otherwise, if it has to go as a parcel, I have to mail by ground, I can't do $10 for air. Still I wouldn't fret too much, make your package, pay what works for you. It's the knowing about the waiting times that will take the stress off.

Red Soup

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I find completing the forms in advance can save some time when I ship packages

Might have made the lady behind the counter less poopy too! lol If I didn't need to go to the post office, I wouldn't have bothered her, really it's true.

Thanks for all the help and advice. I grabbed the form online for next time.

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also told though to mark "CANADA" and "USA" boldly on the ship-to and return address

They debated today about whether or not to put a form on the package today, finally decided to do it, but never said anything about the bold markings.

I must admit I almost never put Canada or US on any of my packages. I wouldn't worry about it. all the postal people ever look at is the zip/postal code. Until it gets to to the local post office for delivery they don't seem to care about any other part of the address.

Red Soup

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I must admit I almost never put Canada or US on any of my packages. I wouldn't worry about it. all the postal people ever look at is the zip/postal code. Until it gets to to the local post office for delivery they don't seem to care about any other part of the address.

Thanks. The envelope cost more than than the contents. I sent a Fairy Kiss.
http://tinyurl.com/392j25

They cost very little and only a few minutes to create. My first postal is Red Soup's Kid Carvers II, so I haven't had/gotten to mail stamps yet.

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I must admit I almost never put Canada or US on any of my packages. I wouldn't worry about it. all the postal people ever look at is the zip/postal code. Until it gets to to the local post office for delivery they don't seem to care about any other part of the address.

My postal clerks will put USA on the return if I forget and Canda is on the address so they don't worry about it. As far as the price I put $1.00 because my clerks told me that if I did not put anything it would get kicked back. I don't know for sure that is just what they have told me and it has worked so far.

Mystic Dreamer

Even though these folks all work for USPS /Canada Post, there's still lots of room for improvement. My local postal outlet puts NCV for "No cash value" on the customs declaration, This was used by my local Postal outlet in California as well. Of the 100+ PLBs I've sent/received none have ever been returned or held up for inspection with this (or any other) marking. The only one that was held up, the sender marked it as Merchandise instead of gift and put a $100 value on it (!).

Jiggs

My PO worker told me they've had packages returned that weren't appropriately marked "Canada". But then she didn't seem to think too highly of the canadian postal service. (sorry! I'm sure it's nothing personal! ;-)

MB

That's ok, I think it goes both ways. lol
Red Soup

you wouldn't be referring to a CERTAIN letterbox, hmmmm....?

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you wouldn't be referring to a CERTAIN letterbox, hmmmm....?

I am assuming your talking to me and the answer has to be no because I'm not getting the reference. You could tell me thought and I might slap my head and say "oh, right!" That's been known to happen on occasion!

But I think it is probably required in the job description for the Canadian and US postal services to look down upon each other. (Just a little bit :). Truthfully, I find they are of about equal quality which is probably why they can make fun of each other. It's just sad to pick on someone who is truly inferior but fun when you know they are actually your equal.


Red Soup

I thought i was supposed to receive a postal "valentine"? but as of today, nobody loves me : (.
; ) hope I'm not mistaken.....