Anyone have any experience with this? It seems easier than other international shipping but haven’t actually heard any firsthand experiences. I usually use usps and don’t really see specific info regarding details.
You’re best bet is for them to have a “box” on the US side, and have them drive down every so often. I know of at least one Canadian that does this. Obviously this is not practical for many individuals. If not, shipping charges are exorbitant. I don’t recall if they are quite Europe crazy, but I think it is still like $50 if sending USPS (large box) across the border. That may be the medium price, though. Can’t recall.
As @Beer_Economicus says, the best bet is to find someone that has a US mailbox or a friend living near the border on the US side. That said, lots gets done cross border. I do it often. From my experience, the best bet on your side is to go with UPS or FedEx. If you print the UPS label online and use the code:easy, I’ve heard it brings the shipping charge down to about what you’d pay for a similar domestic box. The risks are a little higher with customs. Beer coming into Canada is more likely to get seized than the other way around. I’ve been doing it for years, many multiple boxes and have been lucky so far. So, I’d say risks are a little higher, but cost isn’t too much different with codes and such.
Yes. I’ve used different contents descriptors over time. Usually some variation on ‘collectable’ or ‘housewares.’ I know some declare ‘yeast samples’ or ‘gourmet oils and vinegars.’ I usually leave the value low ($30-40). It is more important for boxes Coming in to Canada to have a lower value like that declared. Otherwise the receiver gets saddled with a large handling fee ($40-50).
@bret27 I traded with an individual in Ontario this year. I ultimately agreed to do it, because he was pretty much just across the border from NY, so not that far, and it was for lambic, and not a bad deal at all. The trader was amazing - truly polite, generous, and great to work with. The trade itself was a nightmare. Maybe not a nightmare, but his box was delayed for weeks, with no update from USPS whatsoever, so it got to a point we both feared it was lost/confiscated. It eventually updated, and arrived a day later. His box was under $40 to ship. My box (the one I shipped) arrived quite quickly, with zero issues, however, it cost me $100 in shipping. Probably $175 altogether. I could have bought the bottle locally, at a markup for $70. This was USPS. So ultimately, my experience all worked out, but there were delays, uncertainty, and it was terribly expensive. While the trader was fantastic, and I hold nothing against him whatsoever, it basically turned me off from international trading. If you do consider an international trade, I'd bear in mind that it gets costly fast. If you can pack small, do it, and weigh your options and consider if the trade-in-question is really woth the potential worries, hazards, pitfalls, legal ramifications, and cost of shipping.
