Customs/USMCA Document upload and electronic Transfer??

[wv]

Is there an option to upload and transfer customs/USMCA documents in Ship Station?

[FE]

Following...

With the new adjustments. This is a key thing that should be added. I've been applying papers to my shipments. Looks like week 1 - Lots of issues with shipping into the US. I was not prepared, but looks like all the systems were not as well. Anyone else having issues with shipping into the US? 

[CaraAdmin]

Hello @wv!

Thank you for your post in the community and for bringing up this issue of not having access to the USMAC document through ShipStation. 

UPS does have a sample USMCA Certification of Origin form you can use, but it needs to be created and printed outside of ShipStation. Since carriers don’t pass these forms into ShipStation, you’ll want to include them with your shipments according to your carrier’s guidelines.

Our product team is working on a larger duties and taxes project that could eventually help identify shipment origin and automatically include this information in commercial invoices—potentially showing $0 for qualifying shipments. We’re also improving customs processes, including updates specific to U.S. customs.

We know the community has requested the ability to upload customs documents (like USMCA certificates), but there isn’t a set timeline yet. We truly appreciate your feedback and patience as we continue working toward these improvements.

I appreciate your persistence on this, and as soon as I hear an update, I will be happy to update the community!

Happy Shipping!

-Cara

[mymagichealer]

I haven't found a solution yet. Fedex is telling me to add 3 lines in the commercial invoice but Shipstation does not have this feature, especially for FICP.

[BarryThomson]

I was told the same by UPS; I ended up buying Avery labels (the 30 per sheet style) and printing these which I then add to each copy of the commercial invoice (3 per order).  A royal pain but with no ShipStation solution that has been requested for years what other option is there.  Starting to question if ShipStation is a viable system for Canadian sellers any more if it doesn't provide the essential docs for shipping to the US.  Time once again to look for an alternative.

[FE]

I agree. I have been thinking ShipStation is not a great option anymore. What I have found, is that UPS and Customs are not even checking Documents on the side of the boxes. They want electronically sent documents. With ShipStation not having the option for added the crucial document USMCA - your parcels are going to be processed differently and you'll be paying massive duties. Especially with UPS, they are having issues processing. I added a USMCA and they never checked it. Because you need a formal entry to ship into the US. You should look at either having your client clear their own import, or set up a US broker to clear your shipments. We just finished this process, and we'll be using a broker to clear our parcels. You'll then need to send electronic documents. The problem I have with ShipStation now - in this process - is that you can't add a declaration in the UPS shipment to have your parcel cleared by your broker. It will automatically go to UPS - so you have to call into UPS  US Brokerage for each package and ask them to forward to your broker. It's a pain in the butt to save on shipping. There has to be a better way - if anyone else has discovered a solution or another shipping site - please share.  

[wv]

Thanks for the insight - for using a separate US broker: there is no way to setup on your UPS account to always use an outside broker?  We've been having serious issues with UPS either incorrectly clearing or not clearing at all and having a bunch of RTS.  A lot of this has to do with document delivery as you stated.  We're currently looking for other shipment fulfillment platforms that deal with this better than Shipstation. 

[mymagichealer]

Hi everyone,

We’re a CUSMA-compliant shipper and currently ship exclusively with FedEx.

We’ve found a solution for FedEx shipments that may also work with other carriers, and FedEx has been sharing this workaround with their customers that use ShipStation.

Path: Printing Setup → Label – Document Options → Label Messages

• Message #1 (appears on the electronic Commercial Invoice, under Special Instructions, and on the shipping label):
  USMCA ON FILE ABCDEF#

• Message #2 (appears on the shipping label):
  ALL GOODS MADE IN CANADA

Note: Each message field has a 26-character limit.

We ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) under CUSMA and work directly with FedEx on any customs-clearance issues. If a charge does occur, it is treated as an error and resolved with FedEx so customers are not billed.

Hope it works for you as well!

[whiteturtle]

Hi there,

It's great news that FEDEX has this workaround. So if I understood you correctly, the 2 messages are enough to declare CUSMA compliance, and you don't need to attach any physical CUSMA certificate to your packages?

You mention that you work directly with FEDEX on any customs-clearance issues. Do you need to open an account with them?

Thank you!!