Just Curious Canada

JimG · 07-15-2007

I ship and receive camera gear from all over the world as do most of us. Some countries are better at it and some worse. But Canada, what is it about Canada which is right next door that it takes 3, 4 and even 5 weeks to get a package from there. Is the Canadian Postal Service run soley by laid-back pot smokin' surfers or does everything shipped to the US get routed thru Eastern Europe? Sorry If I offend anyone but I would sure like to know what the problem is. JimG

FrankS · 07-15-2007

Chances are the culprit is US Customs.

JimG · 07-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankS

Chances are the culprit is US Customs.

Then may I ask Frank why is it only Canada?

Rayt · 07-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankS

Chances are the culprit is US Customs.

I am not so sure. The post office I use here in Hong Kong has a sign up to warn of delays when shipping packages to Canada.

Glenn2 · 07-15-2007

Who knows for sure???? This may be part of the reason.

http://www.mytelus.com/ncp_news/arti...icleID=2721987

sienarot · 07-15-2007

Yeah, what's up with that? The postal service is weird like that. I've received packages from the UK, Russia, Hong Kong, and Australia faster than I've received packages from our closest neighbors to the south. My guess the hold up is largely do to bureaucracy at the border (ie: ringing up the paperwork to tax us). But that's for shipments coming from the US. Sending to the US seems fairly quick in my experience. I've had packages arrived in both California and Florida as quick as 6 business days on regular ground parcel!

jky · 07-15-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sienarot

Yeah, what's up with that? The postal service is weird like that. I've received packages from the UK, Russia, Hong Kong, and Australia faster than I've received packages from our closest neighbors to the south. My guess the hold up is largely do to bureaucracy at the border (ie: ringing up the paperwork to tax us). But that's for shipments coming from the US. Sending to the US seems fairly quick in my experience. I've had packages arrived in both California and Florida as quick as 6 business days on regular ground parcel!

I've had similar experiences regarding shipping (sending/receiving) with the US. I think while we're smoking pot, the Americans are too busy rolling ones they've confiscated

Cheers.

jan normandale · 07-15-2007

I had a friend send my 'toiletries' from Chicago to Toronto because you can't take them on a plane any more. The parcel took 6 weeks...

I sent mail to the US and it is there in 5-7 business days. I get books delivered from the UK they arrive in 5-7 days. I get books delivered or a camera from New England and it's 4-5 weeks... does there seem to be a common thread in this? Maybe "Homeland Security" checks everything going in or out of the US perhaps?

Just a thought.

JimG · 07-15-2007

Hey, maybe it's just me but I swear of the dozen or more times I've had something shipped from Canada it's taken an unrealistically long time to arrive, yet when I ship there I get confirmation the shipment has arrived in a few days. I'm glad to know no one else has this same issue of one way only delays in shipping from Canada.

Nikon Bob · 07-16-2007

I have paid the extra for Express post from Canada post and the packages have arrived in the USA in about 5 days. I was able to track them the whole way through. Regular parcel post is another matter. I have received packages from the USA, using their version of express post, in similar time and had tracking through out.

Bob

jan normandale · 07-16-2007

Jim, I honestly think "Homeland Security" checks every parcel. Letters are fine so the bottleneck is due to the vetting of stuff in and out of the US. This is the common thread. I have received parcels from "overseas" ie the UK in less than 5 business days!

I'd asks your post office if "Homeland Security" looks at US mail. I'd be curious what the answer is. Canada only is interested in collecting GST (ie federal taxes) so the sooner they deliver the sooner they get the cash. I also know since 9/11 the US 'enforcement agencies' of all stripes have had long dialogues with Canadian agencies to 'encourage' cooperation between the two countries on measures of "National Security". This has been disclosed by the Canadians.

I don't think it's going to change either. Even if a new President is elected this stuff is going to continue because the process is now in place. To quote the Trailer Park Boys.... "... that's how she goes boys."

Couriers are a different matter.

Tohoku Ben · 07-16-2007

My guess is that perhaps Canada, with all of our shores and coastline, may be seen as a convenient indirect route for drug and other illegal trade into the US; that + the volume of land-bound trade between the two countries = backlog. Only a guess.

Sean

picturetaker · 07-16-2007

My experience is that new or used items coming in from the States can sit for 3 or 4 weeks in Canadian customs. You can tell by the post date and the date on the customs piece when it arrives. However, typically I receive goods in 1-2 weeks max.

Trius · 07-16-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jan normandale

To quote the Trailer Park Boys.... "... that's how she goes boys."

Oh, another fan! BUBBLES FOR PRESIDENT! He'd be a damn sight better than ...

Trius · 07-16-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tohoku Ben

My guess is that perhaps Canada, with all of our shores and coastline, may be seen as a convenient indirect route for drug and other illegal trade into the US; that + the volume of land-bound trade between the two countries = backlog. Only a guess.

Sean

In the immortal words of Crosby Stills Nash & Young ... "paranoia strikes deep"

jan normandale · 07-16-2007

Earl... you have hidden facets I never knew about. Culture is obviously front and foremost with you. We'll trade fave scenes from the TPB's at the next RFF "beer up" ;- )

Trius · 07-17-2007

Jan, many things are hidden ...