Shipping To and From Canada

[illilli]

Since we have quite a few Canadian BOTLs and we will be shipping back and forth from time to time. What is the best thing to put on the Customs form when shipping a gift of cigars? Is there a price limit where you can just put "Cigars" and mark it as gifts? OR, is there some other term that everyone uses for shipping.

Also, what about requirements for shipping to the US? Do you have to do anything special with regards to the customs for items shipping to the US from Canada, since ISOMs are sold in Canada and not in the US?

Also, what is the best shipping method? Is the Airmail (5-7 Business days) the best to use? (It was cheaper than U.S. First Class). What other options are available?

[Newfie]

Personally, when it comes to you gentlemen shipping TO Canada, my Canadian brothers have had very few problems that I've heard of, so I'd say keep doing what you've been doing. I know it takes several days but I'm OK waiting for something coming to me. I just wouldn't put "cigars" on the papers, we may never get it, and we'll never put that word on yours.

I just get antsy when I send a M/O or an expedited package ($11.75 for the small one I sent to you) to the States and it takes 7-9 friggin' days to get there!!!

From now on, if I'm sending something to an American BOTL, I'll use Purolator, FedEx or UPS. I can see the guys every day standing 15 ft from my desk doing drop-offs or deliveries. If I took the time to check, it may even be cheaper with better service.

God damned Government services.

[drew_goring]

In my experience sending/recieving cigars from the states, I have a few guidlines I like to follow:

US to Canada:

-Either send it USPS Air (4ish dollars and less than 2 weeks)
or
-USPS Global Priority (under a week, 8-10 dollars) I prefer this method when I have a large order of sticks. If it is only a couple sticks, it is a little expensive.
-on the declaration form, mark it as a gift and get creative with the description. I have had success with 'wedding videos', 'candles', or even 'opus, anejo, padron'. If you don't want to outright lie on the form you can just scribble 'humidor accessories' on it and they won't clue in. Make sure to declare it as something around 10 dollars so we don't have to pay tax on it.

Canada to US:

-The only cost-effective option is Canada Post Airmail. It will cost 10-? dollars depending on the size of the package. The smaller you can get it the better. Weight doesn't matter too much when all you are sending is sticks.
-Same as the American declaration form. Gift, low value and get creative on the description.


I like to pack the crap out of the boxes, so that it gives them one less reason to open it. I usually completely cover the box in packing tape and then put that box into a bubble mailer.

So far I have had 100% success rate using the described method. I have yet to have a package intercepted at the border and have so far paid $0 in duties.

The most important thing is to never declare it as tobacco, or cigars. They will either take it at the border, or let it through and assess us 100-300% tax on it. Since it would not have the proper tobacco importation paperwork with it, they will automatically asses it the maximum tax, which varies from province to province but is generally about 8 dollars per stick.