NBS BIF #11 sign-up thread.

There are some of us who have expressed interest in being a sender to the Great White North for the last few rounds. I'm pretty sure this round will be no different. But how would it work with customs? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

I’ve never had an issue myself with numerous trades cross-border. The received wisdom is that sending boxes from Canada to the US has pretty limited risk. I always send via Canada Post, as a gift, and declare that I’m sending collectable glassware. I usually declare about a $30 value. I ship Canada Post because, while still pricey, it is cheaper than the private companies. It means the box arrives via USPS on the other end. I’ve lost count of the number of boxes I’ve sent this way, often with bourbon included, and not had an issue, even when there has been a customs delay.

The risk, I’m told, is greater the other way, though I’ve yet to have a problem (I suppose I need to knock on wood here). From what I have gathered from trade partners, sending FedEx or UPS is cheaper than USPS. It also allows for online payment on my end of duty fees while the box is in transit. I always do this as soon as I receive a message that the box is en route. I seem to remember my sender in round 9 saying it was only a little more expensive than a domestic shipment.

I should add that while I have sent many boxes south, I do have a friend in Buffalo who will often receive boxes on my behalf. I tend to ‘use’ him when I’m receiving ‘bigger’ bottles that I’d rather not lose. Unfortunately, he is only living in Buffalo a few days a month right now. All this to say, I’ve received fewer boxes at my own address than I’ve sent.

I can look into a box across the border. I have some beer friends up here who have them. My ability to get across to pick things up is fairly limited though, and a box might need to sit for a few weeks depending on my schedule.

I’m going to tag @Jimmy_Kneecaps here. He was my sender last time and may have some advice to share on what he did.

One thing I will insist on though, is that if a box sent my way does get seized at the border, I will take the loss. Conversely, in the event that something happens to my box, I will resend.

If someone wants to give it a go, I’m in!

 

Hmmmmmmm.....
I really want to but it's always a hard decision what with dealing with shipping crap and customs and timing. I'll think on it today and let you know if I can swing it.

 

Dammit, your experiences match mine and your experience is maybe nudging me. My main issue is that paying duties here can be pricey and the overall stress of it all. When you send to the states where does it clear customs? Mine in Montreal always goes through JFK and it takes a million years it seems like.

 

Mine tend to go through Chicago for anything heading central, far south or west. I think a box I sent to Mass. went through Boston(?) but really don’t remember. I have found that most times, the 5 business days in transit is on the money. When sending to bigger cities, (LA, San Diego, Chicago) it is usually a day faster. Rarely, it is longer.

Duties are killer, but I have an unsubstantiated feeling that paying them while en route lowers the chances of a customs search. Just a ‘feeling’ really.

With duties, I just tell myself I’m paying shipping both ways, as it tends to be about the same as I pay to send a box off. The costs of the hobby I tell myself!!

I also break my box into two separate shipments. (Three last time). It adds to the shipping costs, but makes me worry less about a customs issue and the need to send a big box again if something were to happen. I’m really happy that a couple of my favourite breweries have moved to cans, and in one case does mainly 12 ounce cans!

The problem with a mailbox across the border for me is, beyond the difficulty of dropping everything and making the 2.5 hour drive, the duty is guaranteed unless you stay two nights, and without a list with searchable prices for a the beer in the box, a potential many hours stay at the border while the guards try to figure out how much you owe.

I’ve given up on the Canadian BIF which has deteriorated over time. So, I tell myself, doing this one once every year or two is worth the cost. It is also way more fun with the thread involvement and the likelihood of far more exotic beers. It also forces me to participate on Sundays, which I enjoy quite a bit.

 

My thoughts exactly on all counts! I only did one Canada BIF recently and I was really bummed out by it. The one NBSIF I did was stressful and my target was a little pissy about the shipping but I get why and overall the participation is leagues better. I was a little miffed at some non-participants and their non-participation but there's no comparison to how much better it is. I got some downright garbage in the Canada one lol

 

I was initially nervous about sending over the border but as far as I know there were no problems. UPS was about half the price of usps, but I was sending larger boxes. May be worth looking into flat rate boxes but I honestly don’t know how that works with international shipping.

@Coronaeus was awesome about paying the duties as well. I’d send to you again gladly Peter!

 

Can I ask about the shipping issue that caused distress to your target? You can send a PM if you prefer. Just curious. Mine went fine last time. I won’t tag the user because I think he is taking a break from drinking. I think he was happy with the boxes and the beers. He rated most of them really highly.

CANBIF used to be great 5 years ago. The guys who ran it were excellent and participation was fantastic, including in the forums. The guy who runs it now refuses to set minimum standards for what is to be shipped, doesn’t seem to vet new participants at all, and says nothing regarding thread participation. I’ve made gentle hints to add these things several times, but to no avail. I gave up about three years back now.

I don’t doubt you received some garbage. Old beer has been a problem for the past couple years, including from the organizer. He lives near where I work, and sends beer from what is without question the worst brewery in Canada. Without question.

We don’t have hyped breweries up here but have many very good ones and it isn’t hard to fill several boxes with great beer. I’m guessing anyone in this BIF would be ecstatic about the Peche variants that will be coming out soon, and any NEIPA lover will be pleasantly surprised by a couple Messorem cans, not to mention a whole host of other stuff that is unavailable across the border.

Apologies to the NBS BIF for the tangent here.

 

We may be talking about the same target here. He was mad because I didn't use FedEx even though he didn't specify he wanted that, and that it took a day longer than I thought it would based on tracking. My annoyance was compounded by the fact that although he is (was?) quite prolific in his participation he didn't seem to be too into the hints part of the hints and hauls thread. Once he got it he was very happy with it and with the beers I sent. To the point that he went back and edited the bitchiness out of his PM's to me lol

 

Doing some R&D drinking for this BIF at a brewery that's at the opposite (east) end of downtown Spokane than the one I normally freqent.
This is Black Label's Aussie Sipa IPA, a triple IPA that started out life as an attempt at an imperial pilsener that went so bad so fast, in terms of unintended strength and hop flavor that they actually pitched yeast a 2nd time, using an ale yeast. The result is this utterly impossible to replicate beer, which earned it's name from a couple random Australians, in town for a conference that randomly wandered in, tried it, and said "It's a sippa, mate!"

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this round of Rookie BIF!! Count me in!! PM incoming.

 

I'd love to, I so want to, because it's so much fun, I just don't think it's in my budget to do a BIF at this time.

 

We understand. But sure would love having you back in.

 

I won't be able to swing this round either and for the same reason cited above. I am flattered that people remembered to call me out, though, and I hope you will do so next round too, as I should be good to go for it. Have fun!

 

We understand. But you will be sorely missed. 2nd but, you are always eagerly welcomed.

 

Hmm. Im not working right now but I hate to miss this again. Give me a minute