Yesterday, the two quilts I was sending to Canada were shipped out and surprisingly it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but here is a word of advice if you are sending your quilts to Canada.
1- Do NOT ship in a priority mail package, it really costs alot! I shipped mine in the smallest box I could find that they would fit in.
Cost? Under $20 to ship to British Columbia from Washington state. **Funny, there was a time, when I could have just driven them to BC**
2- Have your package weighed at the post office prior to filling out the customs form. Oh yes, there is a customs form to complete and if your package weighs 4 pounds or less use, the smaller form.
**I didn't know that, so I completed the larger one and had to completely rewrite it.**
REMEMBER, press hard, there are 3 or 4 copies!
3- Have a sense of humor about you and try to go during a not to busy time of the day. I went around 10:00 in the morning, when I got there no one was there. Completed my form, got in line with several other packages and people coming behind me were cranky due to the time it took for USPS employee to complete the Canada package. I just smiled! When I walked out, I did thank those who waited patiently in line!
4- No need to put extra insurance on it, USPS covers up to $50.
5- When mailing to Canada or any other country, I prefer a sturdy cardboard box over a padded envelope.
Thanks for the words of advice, Jean! I may link to this post for others trying to do the same.
ReplyDeleteVery helpful advice! I've done a lot of shipping to Canada and you nailed it!
ReplyDeleteI would disagree about the insurance. If you've made a quilt, it's valued at over $50. A number of years ago I sent 10 quilts to a reserve in northern Manitoba. It was the first time I put insurance on the parcel. Thank goodness I did because the post office burnt down with my quilts not having burnt with them. It was very nice to get that check from the insurance. Although it sure didn't replace all my time and material, it did help in purchasing new material to make more quilts.
ReplyDelete