How the Canada Post Strike Impacts U.S. Resellers

How the Canada Post Strike Impacts U.S. Resellers

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The ongoing Canada Post strike, initiated on November 15, 2024, by approximately 55,000 Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) members, has significantly disrupted mail and parcel services across Canada. This labor action has created substantial challenges for U.S.-based resellers, particularly those operating on platforms like eBay, who rely on cross-border shipping to Canadian customers.

Impact on U.S. resellers

The strike has led to a complete halt in Canada Post’s operations, resulting in delays and suspensions of mail and parcel deliveries nationwide. Consequently, U.S. resellers face significant hurdles in fulfilling orders to Canadian customers. The United States Postal Service (USPS) responded by temporarily suspending international mail acceptance to Canada as of November 29, 2024, due to Canada Post’s inability to process or deliver international mail during the strike.

This suspension affects various services, including Priority Mail Express International® and First-Class Mail International®.

USPS

eBay’s response

eBay has proactively addressed these challenges by implementing measures to support sellers during this period. The platform has extended delivery windows to allow sellers to fulfill shipments once the strike concludes. Additionally, eBay has assured that its international shipping services do not rely solely on Canada Post for last-mile delivery. As a result, estimated delivery windows for items shipped from the U.S. to Canada via eBay International Shipping remain unaffected by the strike

eBay Canada

Alternative shipping solutions

To mitigate the impact of the strike, U.S. resellers are encouraged to explore alternative shipping carriers that operate independently of Canada Post. Private carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL Express continue to offer cross-border shipping services to Canada. Platforms like Easyship provide multi-carrier shipping solutions, enabling businesses to compare rates and delivery services from major Canadian couriers, ensuring continuity in order fulfillment.

Easyship

Recommendations for U.S. resellers

  1. Communicate with Customers: Maintain transparent communication with Canadian customers regarding potential delays and alternative shipping options.
  2. Update Shipping Policies: Your eBay listings should reflect current shipping capabilities, specifying which carriers are being used during the Canada Post strike.
  3. Utilize Alternative Carriers: Partner with private carriers that are not affected by the strike to ensure timely order delivery.
  4. Monitor eBay Updates: Stay informed about eBay’s policies and support measures related to the Canada Post strike to manage seller performance metrics effectively.

By implementing these strategies, U.S. resellers can navigate the challenges posed by the Canada Post strike, maintaining customer satisfaction and sustaining their business operations during this disruptive period.

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