The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Anyone have experience shipping watches to Canada from US. Looks like USPS won't insure for over $675. Other couriers recommended with proper insurance amounts?

Thanks.

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

As a recipient I've never really been too concerned about which carrier, but I can say that I have had issues with all of them over the years. USPS is about the best (becomes Canada Post in Canada), but looks like that isn't going to work for you.

You might have trouble finding any carrier who will insure over $1,000 for an International package. If the value was $1,500 or below I'd do USPS, but the closer I get to 2k (and above) it's Fedex for sure whether I can get insurance or not. (I send next day delivery) The tracking updates on a regular basis and gives the expected arrival time, something I don't see on my current UPS package. (coming to Canada from the US) Like USPS hands off to Canada Post, the same thing happens with UPS coming here, and a few years ago my SA was shown out for delivery and it ended up riding the truck all day and getting checked back in the facility with the tracking saying he tried to deliver it but no one was home... which was total BS. Fedex on the other hand has always been excellent for me whether I was sending or receiving a watch. Always on time except for once when my Bentley was stuck in customs for an extra day. (which can be expected) It probably took them that long to add up the bill!

Thanks for detailed info. As you say, and what I am further finding is the insurance limit can be an issue. This is a problem for shipping valuable watches, and your advice on FedEx makes sense (the less time in transit, less of a chance of loss or screw-up). Sounds like there is still some risk involved though. I recently backed off a deal to sell a watch to Canada because I needed $2500 insurance and couldn't get it. I felt bad for the buyer but I did not feel comfortable at the time and didn't understand all the insurance issues. I wonder if people just take the risk (although it may be small) and ship international without the full insurance coverage

Thanks again for helping to clarify.

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

I've had several transactions from the US, I have always requested USPS Express Post and never had an issue. The tracking is very detailed compared to Priority Post and it's very fast.

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Don

I think the vast majority of private sales are done with little to no insurance. The companies don't make it any easier either because Fedex tells me one thing on the phone, and the small local distribution center, another. The 1-800 number said not only would they not insure a watch, they didn't even want to ship it. Yet, they have a special form to fill out for watches, and when I went up the road to ship it the person who processed the order asked if I wanted more than $500 insurance because I could get $1,000. I said ok, let's do the $1,000. (even the grand was not close)

PS: A while back I brokered a deal for a $15,000 medal that had to go from NY to Montreal and the buyer who is definitely no stranger to International deals had it sent Fedex next day with no insurance. So it appears the small risk is just not worth the hassle trying to cover the item in many cases.

Writing that made me think back about 10 years ago when a guy from the UK sent me $1,000 in cash in the mail! A little box filled with American $20s.

I forgot that one guy I bought from told me that he insures his packages via his own insurance company. I'm not sure if he has a business or if it's through his personal insurance company. He shipped a Hamilton watch and valued it $20.00, it was shipped via Fed Ex. Worked out well for me, I only paid $19.00 tax and brokerage fees.

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Don

When they don't declare the correct value I tend to not believe anything they have told me regarding insurance.

Other than being against the law, this is a bad idea and you could have really been put on the spot. When I bought my Bentley I received a call from customs asking me what the value of the watch was. Had this happened to you, what would you have said? Luckily in my case it was declared in full, and my answer to the question was the correct amount, so it was smooth sailing.

Yep.

Technically if you are unaware that the seller did it then you have no liability, but if you knew / asked for a lower value to be declared then you commit the offence just as much as if you had filled it out yourself - and we all know what the CRA will assume.

Fedex for sure. Their tracking updates are instantaneous.

Even USPS Express can takes hours, sometimes a full day, to update tracking. And the international members here who bought straps for me can attest I could have gotten them there by kayak and mule faster than USPS Priority. USPS is closing down major sorting centers even as we speak. It makes me rather uncomfortable when thousands are involved.

I've shipped watches by Fedex to Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong. But I make it very clear in an exchange email agreement, that the risk of loss or damage is on the buyer and my responsibility and any liability ends upon tendering the watch to Fedex and emailing the tracking number - period. I have found that most international buyers don't have any issues with that and it covers me. Because of the insurance problems, I see shipping international as my problem and my potential loss as I would have to refund the seller most of the purchase price and have little to no recourse against the shipper. So for me, the buyer agrees as above, or no deal.

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SHARKMAN

I actually had no idea he was declaring the watch at a lower value, he just said after the fact that he does it all the time and insures it through his insurance company. Trust me, the last thing I would want is to have CBSA on my butt.

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Don

Here's what you get with UPS....

No confirmed delivery date until at least day two or three. Then tracking said delivery by the end of today, but last update was near 20 hours ago that shows "late truck" and now there is no delivery date. Call the Canadian carrier who handles UPS on this side and they said I had to call UPS... so called UPS and they said they can't do anything because it's at the Canadian facility. So EXACTLY LIKE LAST TIME I waited around all day to receive the watch, no delivery and leaves me guessing when it will arrive, and like before I'll be on the phone tonight trying to get an answer. Earlier today I happen to come across a message board with people from my area saying the exact same thing, so this ain't no fluke.

SO FEDEX FOR SURE! (I had no choice with this one, unfortunately)

Sorry to hear the troubles but great feedback, thanks!

This is the kind of stuff that worries me. But it is clear through all the posts that proper insurance cannot be obtained, so if the buyer wants to assume the risk (documented thru email, etc.) then deals can be made. At least now I understand more clearly the issues, and FedEx sounds like the way to go.

Thanks for comments everyone!

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Chrono Jetstream
Montbrilliant 1903
Aerospace E79362

Obviously it's not coming today, and now has been 23 hours without a tracking update. I'm not concerned about it going missing because it's covered from the seller, but had it been on me I wouldn't be happy the way it's going. They certainly have me guessing if they will deliver tomorrow, and if so at what time. It's very clear you pay the bill but it's totally 100% on their time and they do it when they're ready, and you're left wondering what's up.

Domestic, I use UPS all the time because there is a UPS Store nearby and they pack them terrifically. Only once had a problem - sold a Milla Miglia to a guy in LA. Shipped next day. Watch went to Ontario, Ca, then sat for a day, then off to the UPS Hub in Louisville, KY, caught a blizzard and sat for 2 days, then back to Ontario, and then delivered the next day in LA. Got that?

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SHARKMAN