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Author Topic:  Shipping a Steel from Alabama to Britsh Columbia, Canada
Chris Reesor

 

From:
British Columbia, Canada
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2012 12:10 am    
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Looks like I've got a deal on my dream guitar.
Now I need to make shipping arrangements.
Both UPS and FedEx service Kamloops, where I live.
I'm hoping someone here has some experience to share. Brokerage costs, freight costs, reliability, and so on.
Also I wonder if USPS parcel service could be a viable option, if this guitar meets the 70# weight limit.
Thanks, all, in advance, for your help.

Chris
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Keith Davidson


From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2012 3:24 am    
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Chris, I bought my steel from Herby Wallace (Mullen) and had it shipped by USPS which brings it to Canada Post.

Not to be confused with UPS which is a totally different shipping method. Either would work for you.

Is the steel you are purchasing made in the USA or Canada? If so, you WILL NOT have to pay any duty (NAFTA).

Pretty sure you'll have to pay provincial sales tax though.

Have the shipper clearly mark MADE IN THE USA on the package.

If it's not made in the USA or Canada you will have to pay duty.
Hope this helps,

Keith
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Keith Davidson


From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2012 3:27 am    
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Oh and plaster it will FRAGILE stickers as well.

I had mine shipped to me in 5 days but it cost more to do that.

I think my shipping came to $150 (approx).
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Quentin Hickey

 

From:
Nova Scotia, Canada
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2012 3:47 am    
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Hi Chris, if at all possible go through USPS. UPS will charge you from the customs clearance on top of the initial delivery bill and it is no cheap. I had a small shipped wby UPS and by the time it got to my regional dispatch office they charged me another fee and ended up being double what they orginally quoted the shipper. I will never go with UPS again.

Last edited by Quentin Hickey on 14 Feb 2012 6:29 pm; edited 2 times in total
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John Ely

 

From:
Minneapolis Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2012 5:33 am    
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Here are some previous posts about packing and shipping guitars.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=199176&highlight=shipping+steel+guitar+fedex+ups

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Shipping%20Steels/Shipping%20Steels.html

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=213888

Good luck,
John
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George Macdonald

 

From:
Vancouver Island BC Canada
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2012 6:43 am     shipping
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Chris, Try to avoid using UPS As others have said. they will charge a hefty brokerage fee. If you can have it shipped by the US post office, there will be no brokerage fee. The post office will however collect the HST when it is delivered or when you pick it up. Another option would be to have it delivered to a post office "store" in Wshington where you could go accross and pick it up. You would still pay the HST at the border. If you are interested in doing this, contact Don Benoit in Okanagan Falls for details. [email me for his phone#]
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Sandro Rocco


From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2012 6:54 am    
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Ship USPS. UPS and Fedex will bend you over for "brokerage fees" that they hide and call border chargers. I bought a bass for 800 bucks and they tried to get me to pay 300 dollars on top of the shipping to leave the item. Your best bet is USPS to Canada Post. Avoid/Boycott UPS and Fedex when it comes to international shipping.
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Chris Reesor

 

From:
British Columbia, Canada
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2012 8:41 am     USA to Canada Shipping
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Thanks so much to all who have replied.
This is a fabulous place to be when you need to know something fast!
It looks like I'll probably go with USPS and point the vendor @ this thread for packing tips.

Cheers,
Chris
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Billy Carr

 

From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2012 8:47 am     psg
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Surprise, surprise! That's what I got when I shipped a guitar to Canada last year. Girl at the Fed-Ex. place told me the price after the paperwork was completed. I had already received payment for the psg from the buyer, so I had to go ahead and ship it. Almost 200.00 plus the buyer had to pay a tax on it when it got there. I don't ship to Canada anymore.
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Tony Glassman


From:
The Great Northwest
Post  Posted 14 Feb 2012 9:55 am    
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TIPS

- double box

- use plenty of padding (peanuts, bubble wrap, foam etc.)

- put wood blocks between the front of the case and the front of the guitar/pedal rack divider.

-wrap w/ exposed handle. The USPS workers are always grateful, as this makes lifting (rather than tossing) easier for them.
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