Is usps still accepting to ship basses? Anyone using GlobalPost?

[jfh2424]

Good day! If you could share your experience, it would be so helpful…

I wonder if you could help me. I’m in the process of buying a used G&L from a great TBer in Mississippi. I asked him to use USPS as this is the cheapest way when it comes to shipping to Canada. The other carriers charge an exorbitant amount just to fill in the customs papers. He is telling me that ISPS won’t ship a parcel the size of a regular bass any more. Have others had this experience also? Have you shipped basses into Canada through USPS recently?

I’m also wondering if you’ve used globalpost recently to ship into Canada recently and how it went?

Thx so much!

John

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

I don't know about the USPS policy, but I suggest that if the bass has a bolt-on neck, the sender could remove the neck so it could be packed in a smaller package, and it would be less likely to be damaged in handling as well.

I have no experience with this service but I have read here on TB about a shipper called Pirate Ship. It may be worth looking into them as well.

 

[2saddleslab]

I don't know about the USPS policy, but I suggest that if the bass has a bolt-on neck, the sender could remove the neck so it could be packed in a smaller package, and it would be less likely to be damaged in handling as well.

I have no experience with this service but I have read here on TB about a shipper called Pirate Ship. It may be worth looking into them as well.

Pirate Ship has been great.

 

[MIMike]

The limiting factor would be the overall dimensions of the package. It cannot exceed 130” total in length plus girth.
To measure girth, take the measurement all the way around the smaller dimension of the box, then add to that the total length (longest side of the box). If it’s over 130”, then it’s too large for USPS to process it. If it’s 130” or under, it will still get hit with some oversized fees because of the size and shape, but should be able to ship to Canada.
You can calculate things on your own by visiting USPS.Com and look for the details under Ground Advantage

 

[Low Main]

I've had good experiences with parcels crossing the border that featured a good linkup and handover between Canada Post and USPS, but that was mainly with shipments coming from Canada to the US. I can't remember if things get difficult with parcels going the other way.

USPS staffers have a 70 pound limit in the weight of the parcels they're required to handle, so it may not be possible to ship a Peavey T-40 or a broad neck Warwick 6 string.

If you're in the US, the best way I know of to test the cross border postal shipping process is to order another Broughton pedal. Emphasis on "another".
Then you can say it's just for research purposes.

 

[pyrat56host]

We ship via USPS all the time. Thus far, no issues and cosiderably more affordable than other available options.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I calculated a price to ship from Maryland to Toronto using a Uline bass box as the dimensions. $135-$190 for Priority or Priority Express plus insurance and then you have to worry about tariffs (I think I can mention those in this context).

 

[NorthTexasBass]

Ditto on Pirate Ship. You can ship thru USPS or UPS much cheaper than going directly through the actual shipper.

 

[InhumanResource]

I don't know about the USPS policy, but I suggest that if the bass has a bolt-on neck, the sender could remove the neck so it could be packed in a smaller package, and it would be less likely to be damaged in handling as well.

I have no experience with this service but I have read here on TB about a shipper called Pirate Ship. It may be worth looking into them as well.

Pirate ship is awesome. I use it for basses and recently for some really heavy photography equipment that I expected to be 100+ usd to ship just one component, the whole deal ended I being like fifty bucks. Absolutely recommend them.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I refuse to ship anything via USPS. They are a crapshoot at getting to its destination in any reasonable amount of time. I sold some rack ears to another TBer just outside of Portland Oregon. They got to Portland from here in Indiana in about 4 days, they sat in Portland for another 3 days, they then were shipped to New Jersey, then back to San Francisco and finally back to Portland. A total of almost 2 weeks. I only use Pirateship. They use USPS and UPS. From now on I pay the difference in the cost and use UPS.

 

[Rayjay]

Go into the Post Office and they'll say no, maybe then after explaining and begging will they reluctantly charge you exorbitant prices to ship and tell you it's over this dimension and over that weight....

Buy and print a label on PirateShip and drop it off at the post office and they'll just take it and say thanks.