Shipping paint to Canada

[Greg L.]

I'm at witts end with this one and need advice. It seems that no one will ship paint from the US into Canada because it is dangerous goods...actually FED-EX will for a $90.00 fee for four spray cans....anyways. Does anyone know how to get this stuff across the border? I know it can be done but I just don't know how, short of driving down and getting it myself but I live three hour from the border never mind from Quanta where I would like to get the paint from. Any thoughts?

[Oliver G.]

Re: Shipping paint to Canada

HI Greg,

You cannot ship the paint via AIR - otherwise it comes under the Hazmat rules - thus making the expense ridiculous.

Specify ground shipping - and it should not pose a problem.

[Marc R.]

Re: Shipping paint to Canada

Uh...I don't think so. I don't think UPS will ship it at all.

[Greg L.]

Re: Shipping paint to Canada

Thanks Oliver. I've talked to UPS, Canada Post, USPS, DHL and they all say that it can't be done. I didn't specify ground but assumed that if they wanted the bussines that they could have suggested that route. Maybe I should call back and specify ground. This is just plain crazy because paint cans are shipped from the States to Canada every day so it shouldn't be this difficult.

[Oliver G.]

Re: Shipping paint to Canada

Please do recontact them - and specify GROUND.

This past January the USA laws for Hazmat were modified. Prior to January, the shipper had the responsibility of verifying Hazmat and notifying the Feds for the violation.

After January, the receiver is now obligated to notify the Feds, as well as the shipper. $25,000 for each offense - so in your case - that's $100,000 for four cans of paint in an airplane without Hazmat docs.

[Grant M.]

Re: Shipping paint to Canada

Greg,

Are you trying to purchase only a few (ie: less than a dozen or so)cans from a Corvette supplier (like Ecklers/Corvette Central)? in that case, you're probably up against the regulatory walls; but if you're looking to purchase something you might use a lot of, like a semi-flat paint for chassis parts, etc, you MAY ne able to get the paint manufacturer to ship it to you or a local distributor. I did this a few years ago when I wanted Mar-Hyde's semi-gloss black "guide" coat paint for some parts. I called the company direct (in Cleveland, as I recall), told them what I wanted and they agreed to ship a case (12 cans) to one of their local distributors (in Toronto), from which I picked it up. I con't recall paying any exhorbitant amount for either the paint or the shipping; but it was more expensive than just buying something off the shelf.

One way I get a lot of stuff from down south without hassle is to combine it with a shopping trip and have the iten(s) shipped to the hotel where I'll be staying. I got new door panels from Ecklers this way (sent to a Holiday Inn) and other dealers will generally ship pre-paid orders wherever you want. I would suggest calling the hotel in advance to let them know you expect a package (business travellers often have samples, etc sent to them at hotels), and have the shipper mark on the address that you're a "guest" at the hotel.

Good luck!

grant

[Greg L.]

Re: Shipping paint to Canada

Thanks Grant but I'm not sure if shipping it to a US address will even work. I had a post a while back about the problems with shipping parkerizing solutions to Canada so in the end I decided to ship it to a friends in San Fran and I would pick it up in April. That will still work but it looks as though the paint will be a bigger issue because I can't bright it on my flight. It's looking like the real problem will be getting someone to bring it across the border...probably easier to run drugs or guns by the looks of it! Geez, all I want is some paint for my resto project.

[Wayne M.]

Canada disallows RED paint *NM*

[Patrick H.]

Re: Shipping paint to Canada

Ship it to a friend on the US side and then go bring it back on your "return" trip. How far from the border can you be?

I've had paint shipped from Quanta (Maryland to Mich) without a problem, in cans, quarts and other, and they come ground shipping.

Patrick

[William O.]

Re: Canada disallows RED paint

If the paint is that inportant, I would will-call the paint at the closest point in the US, when I am in Montreal I ship to Burlinton, VT and drive.

Good luck.

[Pat #25912]

Greg...what colour do you want?

I live in Southern Ontario and I think I have a couple spray cans of Quanta orange that haven't been used. Pat G.

[David N.]

Re: Shipping paint to Canada

Greg, You have e-mail. David Nims member #19639

[Mike M.]

Re: Shipping paint to Canada

Greg, I live in Niagara Falls, Canada. Just across the boarder in the US they have places that receive parcels for Canadians. I had everything shipped there when I was rebuilding my vette. Then would cross pick it up and bring it back. That saved me all the extra charges that UPS and FedX bend us over for. They would hold my parts for a long time until I was ready to pick them up. Depending where you are there may be a service like this across the boarder from you. They charged $5.00 a parcel. I had a box there and paid by the year. the only problem I had was some companys will only ship to the billing address on the credit card. For them I had to get a approved ship to address with my credit card company. Mike

[Greg L.]

Re: Shipping paint to Canada

Thanks guys for all of the generious suggestions and offers to help. It just goes to show what kind of generious and thoughtfull people use this board and are willing to go out of their way to help a fellow Corvette owner with an issue like this.
By luck I found out that a friend of a friend is transporting a 56 Ford Convert up here in a few weeks so he told me to send it to him and he will bring it for me. Now I'm trying to get all of my "difficult" orders like specialty paints and phosphating kits sent to him before the car leaves and I miss the boat...no pun intended... Thanks again everyone, I really appreciated your offers.