So how does the post office work anyway ?

[nsd]

First, I know you're going to say "call your local PO and ask". Well, actually, I did that. Even tried it in person. Sadly the people there barely speak any English, so they didn't really unerstand my question (even after rephrasing it three times).
So ... I'm supposed to receive a package from HK. How does it get to my place ? Does it get sent to my local PO, then the driver goes out for delivery, OR does it just get delivered to my house first, and if nobody's home then it goes to the local PO.
Any ideas ? Thanks.

[fishlips20]

>:(

Go download the Discovery channel program, I believe its called "How it's made" or "How it works"... they had a segment on it....

On an unrelated note, I am never getting back the precious seconds of my life I've wasted reading this post.

[Hairball]

Do you receive mail directly at your house usually?

If it's being mailed using regular postal service from Hong Kong, it should come to your house (or street mailbox for a bunch of houses in new areas), unless there is tax or duty to be charged, in which they will give you a card, and you have to go to a post office to pick it up and pay the taxes required.

Otherwise it's pretty straightforward.

[ji2o0k]

>:(

Go download the TLC program "How does it work"... they had a segment on it.

On an unrelated note, I am never getting back the precious seconds of my life I've wasted reading this post.

hhehe, no one to blame but yourself man.........curiousity killed the cat......

[nsd]

>:(

Go download the Discovery channel program, I believe its called "How it's made" or "How it works"... they had a segment on it....

On an unrelated note, I am never getting back the precious seconds of my life I've wasted reading this post.
This is the offtopic section, and tha was a legitimate question. What was your problem again ?
Hairball usually the mailman is a jerk. Sometimes I find that little note (saying nobody was home, though most of the time when the mail comes sombody is around), sometimes I don't. And no, I don't have to pay any duties/tax for it.

[fishlips20]

This is the offtopic section, and tha was a legitimate question. What was your problem again ?
Hairball usually the mailman is a jerk. Sometimes I find that little note (saying nobody was home, though most of the time when the mail comes sombody is around), sometimes I don't. And no, I don't have to pay any duties/tax for it.

A legit question would have all relevant details attached. Your post is a specific question about a specific situation, without all of the details. Its tough to help someone who isn't painting a clear picture... hence the "waste of time" comment.


On that note, let's get productive.

You need to figure out:
- is the package personal (i.e. a letter) or a gift or a commercial product... this will impact the duties that you will be forced to pay
- have you considered the lag at the boarder? they do inspect parcels and may hold them for a few days
- chances are, if they delivered it to your house, you would know about it either by a sticker of hanging note... if that flew away, they can always cross reference your parcel with your address.
- was this an e-bay purchase? you may have been hosed.

I hope this helps you out.
I've tried to cover a bunch of scenarios for you.

[nsd]

Thanks, but you might have misread my question. I just asked about the standard procedure of things. Why does it matter where I bought whatever's inside ? What does inspecting parcels at border have to do with this ? I left out all the irrelevant things. If I had to pay duties I obviously wouldn't post this here, as I'd have to go down to the PO to pay them :lol:.
Reasonable enough ?

[KrispyFive]

It would go through the HK postal service (which is damn quick, I find it's quicker to get something from HK by mail than it is from Vancouver), then it goes through customs and gets passed on to Canada Post. It then goes through the sortation plant in Mississauga and on the truck out for delivery. Then if you're not home, or if they don't feel like bothering with attempting to ring the door bell or buzzer they'll leave a note for you to pick it up at the post office.

[nsd]

Ahh that's what I needed to know :). Thank you so much!

[atforum]

http://www.e-village.jp/earth-c/html/9904apr/gif/nz1hkse02.jpg
http://i20.ebayimg.com/03/i/02/4c/00/92_10.JPG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/General_Post_Office1.jpg/800px-General_Post_Office1.jpg
http://www.chinaphilatelicassn.org/image1/stamp/s-1.JPG
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39198000/jpg/_39198013_mensorting203.jpg
http://www.trumpetguild.org/news/images03/086dhl2c_06.jpg
http://www.policepatchcentral.com/Customs%20Police%20Canada%20(2).jpg
http://www.hardrock.org/pub-pics/Travel/2004-03-28/tn/dsc00953.med.jpg

[atforum]

http://www.canadapost.ca/business/corporate/about/newsroom/photo_centre/images/063_rgb.jpg
http://www.canadapost.ca/business/corporate/about/newsroom/photo_centre/images/step_van2.jpg
http://www.canadapost.ca/business/corporate/about/newsroom/photo_centre/images/Letter_Carrier002.jpg
http://www.neverclever.com/snaps/ead/2000/ead2bday9.jpg

end of story

[atforum]

>:(

on an unrelated note, I am never getting back the precious seconds of my life I've wasted reading this post.

so why are you here?? Why dont u just go to futureshop, bestbuy etc and search for the deals yourself?? :confused: When you are not ready to help dont get others help :)

[squall458]

hahhaha nice job atforum

[nsd]

That was pretty funny :D.