This Guide Presents Information for eBay Sellers on Canada Post's New Flat Rate Shipping Program and Is Intended to Help Sellers and Not Buyers.

This guide is written as a short presentation of the facts surrounding the new shipping program that eBay launched in May, 2008. It is intended to help sellers find some basic information about the program and is not really meant to help buyers. However, if you are a buyer, particularly a Canadian one, you may stand to benefit from the new program if you buy a number of items from one seller and combine them for shipping. In the latter case, you may wish to read on...

The Announcement

On May 16th, 2008, Canada Post quietly launched a new Flat Rate Box shipping program for items shipped through eBay. "Canadian eBay users ship millions of parcels through Canada Post each year," Canada Post's John Swettenham said in a CBC news release. "That makes the eBay community an extremely important customer base." This program promises to assist both sellers and buyers particularly when items are combined and shipped together.

You may have missed the announcement because it was released so quietly, I did and then I had to search to find the details. This guide is intended as a brief overview of how this program will work.

Benefits

Benefits of using a Flat Rate Box can be a savings in time - less measuring or weighing. Also promised are a potential savings in cost, a simpler shipping process through eBay's online shipping system (if you do not already use it) and the usual benefits of Canada Post's Expedited mail service.

Here's How it Works

You must use a specially designed box from Canada Post that is only available on eBay. While it is 'free', you must pay $1.95 plus tax to have three boxes shipped to you. (That is not much more than the cost of a bubble envelope plus you charge the customer for the cost of the box in the handling charge. The customer reaps the benefit of lower combined shipping costs.) The box measures 28 by 21.5 by 14 centimeters and you can use the box for items weighing up to 5 kilograms.

You pay just one charge for as much as you can put in this special box. Regional rates will be $9.99, national rates $12.99 and USA rates $17.99.

Since all Flat Rate boxes ship with Canada Post's expedited service, they will include the usual benefits of free tracking and delivery confirmation, on-time delivery guarantee within Canada and $100 of insurance for loss or damage. The box is not good for any other class of service. It can ONLY be used for the Flat Rate program with labels created, purchased and printed through eBay's online shipping tool.

Simple Steps

First purchase boxes online through Canada Post's eBay store at eBay item number 280268605006.

Your boxes will arrive flat. You must assemble and seal them using shipping tape.

Next purchase and print the expedited shipping label at eBay's online shipping tool.

Affix the label to the flat rate box and pack it with any number of items, up to 5 kilograms.

Finally, seal using shipping atpe and deliver to any Canada Post location.

More Information

More information is available at Canada Post's Flat Rate Box eBay store. There is a helpful section featuring frequently asked questions and a chart defining the regional and national terms. Of course, you can always turn to the discussion board to find out how this new system is shaping up.