Many Canadians find themselves trying to purchase something online only to find out that the company will only ship the item to a US shipping address. This can be incredibly frustrating and deters many from moving forward with the purchase. Those who are determined to purchase the item often look at renting a US P.O. box to have their item sent to. The problem is, this is costly, especially if you only want to order a few items a year. The second frustration is all the paperwork you need to fill out to get a US P.O. box.
There is another solution that is not only much less expensive, but also way more convenient for Canadians and that is using a US KinekPoint. There are two types of KinekPoints:
1) US border KinekPoints (located directly on the US border to act as a US shipping address for Canadians)
2) “Regular” KinekPoints (located all over the United States for use when you are on vacation or on a business trip)
What’s a KinekPoint? Good question. KinekPoints are businesses that have become authorized parcel pick-up locations for Kinek users. You can sign-up (for free!) with Kinek to use their locations, they have nearly 1,000 throughout the United States. The only time you pay anything is when you stop-by to pick up your package. The pick up fee is usually $5 for average sized packages, but can be more if the package is quite large or heavy. The best part? As soon as your package arrives, we’ll notify you by text message and email!
Want to learn more? Head on over to:
http://shiptotheborder.com/finding-your-us-shipping-address
I wonder if make sense (save Money) use this service to buy a cell phone? If so. let me know how to do it and how much i might save?
best regards
federico
Hi Federico! It all depends on which cell-phone you are interested in and what US retailer you want to order from. Many times you can save 30% or more when you buy electronics from US retailers and ship it to a US border KinekPoint.
Let us know if you have any other questions!
I am wondering if there is a service that accepts UPS parcels and than would forward them using USPS to a canadian address… Atleast USPS doesnt charge brokerage, or customs half the time.
Please advise
I have the exact question that Katie has. Do you ship to other addresses? Some companies provide a forwarding service, which is way more convenient.
We currently don’t have a forwarding service in place but it’s something that we will definitely look at for future considerations. Thanks for the feedback!
Hello Jeremy !!
I am wondering how much could it cost if I pick up a Laptop form a US border KinekPoints near Montreal ?
How much about one two or three books ? (more or less)
Regards !
Enrique.-
Hi Enrique,
Sorry for the late response!
We have a couple locations at the Champlain border. You can expect to pay roughly $5 for an item that is less than 10 lbs. Each location has their own pricing by weight which is viewable when you are signed up for the service at http://www.kinek.com.
Many US companies now require that the credit card billing address and the ship-to address match. How do you help resolve this?
You know what would be a great service? Provide a US address which you do now. And also provide a pickup location in the closest Canadian city, such as Ottawa. Then your business carries (brokers) the item from the US border to the Canadian city, on a periodic basis, say once a week as you fill up your truck and leaves them in Ottawa to be picked up. The main issue I have with buying in the US, is paying for shipping once to get to the border, then once again to go only a stone’s throw from the border…it esentially doubles the shipping cost so the next best thing is to drive to the border myself, except then I use my time and it costs fuel, innefficient for one item…but if someone was to collect say, 100 items together and split the cost it would work much better.
Hi I want to buy a laptop from Amazon.com the ASUS-G74SX-DH71 but I need it shipped to South Africa, can you assist with that? And will I pay duties etc on it?
Please advise.
Hi Michael,
We are currently only set up in North America, so we unfortunately would not be able to help out with that. Nice laptop though!
If I get something shipped to one of these KinekPoints to pick up myself. Will I be charged duty on it to bring it back into Canada?
Hi Jon,
You will be asked to declare the item and you will pay the sales tax. 99.9% of the time you are not charged duty when bringing items back across yourself. You save on international shipping, brokerage, and most likely duty.
Hi,
Just wondering whether the pickup location can receive large box such as fishing rod (approx 3′) and is there any surcharge for that?
Thanks.
Hi Eddy,
All of the locations could accept a fishing rod as we go by weight instead of size.
Does the pick up location accept frozen items? Would they have a refridgeration area to store perishibles until I could pick up?
Hi Sian,
Our KinekPoints do not offer frozen storage, sorry.
I have a couple questions first being how secure are these locations and is there any insurence if items are lost or broken ect. Also some store won’t ship to P.O. boxes would that rule also aply to this?
Hi Paige,
Not to worry, all of our KinekPoints are trusted businesses. Since we have a network of over 1,000 locations you are not taking the risk of shipping to a mom and pop shop. You now have the credibility of Kinek ensuring that your packages are dealt with safely. We currently provide up to $2,500 insurance on items while they are at the KinekPoint for up to the 30 day limit. It is by far the safest option to ship to the border.
All of our border addresses are full shipping addresses, so do not worry about PO box limitations.
some online companies do not ship to a P.O. box no. is kinek points consider as a P.O. box?Sometimes theres is not enough space to place the kinek id number in the shipping address,what should I do? thank you
Hi Desi,
No, KinekPoints are not PO boxes, they are full shipping addresses. If you cannot fit the Kinek# on address line 1 or line 2 you can append the number to your last name. We do require the Kinek# on the address label to be able to notify you when the package arrives. For all of you reading this who have no signed up for the Kinek service, your Kinek# is a 7 digit # that you receive when you sign up that is embedded in the address.
Hey There,
Love to try Kinek, Problem is I work from 9-5 as well. Are there extended hours In detroit for those of us who need to come out on a saturday morning to pick up a package?
Thanks,
Greg
For how long will they keep your package. i.e imagine I travel only a 2-3 times a year. Will there be additional charges for “storage”?
Hi John,
We have a standard 30 days to pick up packages. Most locations will charge extended storage fee’s if the item(s) is left after 30 days.
Hi,
i’ve a short question. I’m a German citizen, who stays about 3 month in the US. Is it also permitted to me to use your service or is it only allowed to Canadian/US citizen? I want to order some stuff on amazon.com and need a mailing address.
Greetings
Christian
Hi Christian,
Unfortunately, at the moment it can only be used for US/Canadian citizen with a valid photo ID. We hope to expand on this in the future. We sincerely apologize!
Do you mean US/Canada citizens or US/Canada residents?
I am a Canada resident and European citizen. I have Canada driving license. I assume I can still use your service and use my Canada driving license as ID.
Hi Lex,
Yes, if you have a Canadian drivers licence you can use our service.
Hello,
I am wondering if you could keep the boxes for a period of time?
If yes how long please?
Thanks!
Hi Lucas,
Our network standard is 30 days.
I’m rebuilding an old vehicle and some of the parts I would order from USA are heavy .
What would say a 30 pound part cost to pick up there in Buffalo.
Thanks
Hi Joseph,
We have a couple locations in Buffalo, but 30 lbs wouldn’t be considered heavy, as we do have locations that accept large furniture on pallets. A 30 lb package would be around $5 depending on which location you send the item to. You can see the full pricing on each locations profile when you are signed up for the service.
When using paypal to purchase items it requires that the address not be a post office box and a verified address. I believe having a verified address requires the mailing address to be the same as the mailing address for the credit card used.
Do you have any insight into this. I believe you ned a verified addresses to have insurance with Paypal.
Hi Jim,
I’m not 100% sure on this, so I would suggest contacting PayPal directly to see what they mean by verified address. I know that our users have paid via PayPal before and used our locations to ship to. Only 1 of our 1200+ locations is a PO Box address so you are shipping to a full shipping address.
I am interested in using kinect as a reshipper. i.e. I order a package, you send it to me to my canadian home adress. Do you have a schedule fee for that service ?
Thanks
Hi Khoa,
Kinek does not provide package forwarding services. You must go down to your border location and pick them up.
I would like to order a bumper from US, i know you accept pallet in some place but i would like to know if you accept oversized item on pallet.
Hi Alex,
Some locations do but it usually comes with additional costs. I would suggest contact Kinek at support@kinek.zendesk.com or signing up for a free account and then calling the KinekPoint directly.
My sister lives on the other side of boarder in Surrey BC. She wants to order couple of chairs (accent furniture) Do you know approx how much it would cost her?
Our Blaine, WA location charges $5 per package under 100 lbs.
I am in Canada and want to purchase from Amazon.com However they specifically state “Your billing address must match the address that appears on your monthly credit card or bank statement.”
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=ox_shipaddress_general_help?ie=UTF8&nodeId=3285251&pop-up=1
I am hesitant to use Kinkek for this reason
You simply enter your Canadian billing address and use your new US shipping address as the “shipping address”.
Here is my question, I’m the one that requires items to be shipped most of the time, but I’ve never go near the border or have been in the US however my husband is a truck driver so he would be the one picking the packages up if I get the account with Kinek should I sign him up or put my info in
And one more, a bit obvious but I want to make sure, lot’s of companies ask if I’m shipping t home or business, in this case I’ll be checking off “business” is that correct?
Yes, you can state you are shipping to a business. It sometimes can give you a lower shipping rate. Your husband can pick up your packages. Simply provide him with a copy of your photo ID and the receipts/invoices for the items.
Can you also ship letter mail there too? letters, magazines etc etc? or is it packages only?
Thanks
Packages only.
Is it possible to ship a set of 4 car tires to one of kinek point?
It sure is! Pricing varies by KinekPoint but typically you’re looking at roughly $5 per tire.
It sure is! Pricing varies by KinekPoint but typically you’re looking at roughly $5 per tire.
Hi I was just wondering what the cost would be to ship a ski package (boots, skis,etc.)?
Thanks
Hi Alan,
Each location has their own per package fee listed on their Kinek profile. Simply sign up and check out a locations pricing that you’re interested in. http://www.kinek.com/sign-up
Hello,
Do you offer forwarding to Canadian addresses, yet?
Kinek does not forward, sorry.
Good day Jeremy,
Are family members able to use one account but still able to use their own credit cards?
Thanks!
Luc
Hi Luc,
Each member of a family must create their own account at this time. Hopefully in the future this can change.
I live in Penticton BC and I was looking at two of your loccations Applewood Video and Letterlock ( i think that was the name) which location is easier accessible, and do you have a monthly membership option to offset the per-cost of each package picked up?
Hi Heather,
Kinek does not currently provide a monthly membership option. That may be something to look at in the future. As of right now its a per package fee. Each of those locations are accessible but the Letterlock location does accept large shipments whereas Appleway Video does not.
Hi,
Is there a way to know which KinectPoints are 45′ tractor-trailer friendly? Like truck stops. My friend is a long distance truck driver and could pick up my package(s) if I provide him a drop point that is easy to access with his truck along his usual routes.
Simon
Hi Simon,
Each location is different so once you sign up and select a location you can call them to check. If they receive pallet shipments they most likely have room since large couriers would need to go in to drop the pallets off.
How much do you think it will cost to pick up if i have a 30lbs worth of packages sent to that location?
Hi Jesse,
Each location has their own per package fee. You’re most likely looking at $5-7.
I checked for a local place close to me and it says PO box, can I still ship there? It is just south of Alberta.
Hi Steve,
Yes, you can ship to any of the Kinek locations.
Hi,
I need to order a few items, altogether less than 1 pound, but from different sellers. So, would I be charged storage fee for each item individually or all of them together?
Hi there, Each location has a per package fee, so yes, you would be charged for each item.
I live in Vancouver BC and I cross at Blain Washington is there a Kinect in that area.
Yes, Kinek has a location in Blaine, WA. It’s called Edge Logistics. when you’re signing up, just select them! http://www.kinek.com/sign-up
hello
can i get my Green Card by this Kinek service? i live outside US now but will be there to get my GC and it would be posting to a US address by NVC or KCC or maybe anyother federal/state bureau. is it safe to use Kinek?
regards,
Kaveh,
You cannot use Kinek for a green card. You must have a current U.S. address for green card.
Looking to have about 8 26ers of whiskey sent to marine city. Can you give me an approximate cost for pickup?
Hi Billy,
For any items with alcohol I suggest contacting your KinekPoint you want to ship to directly. Some do not accept alcohol shipments.
what do you define as a package? is a thin cardbox envelope to deliver photos considered as a package?
thanks
Yes, a padded envelope would be considered a package. We don’t accept letters or regular mail at KinekPoints.
Do I need to actually cross the border from Canada to the USA in order to pick up my shipment?
Or can I stay on the Canadian side…I only ask this as I do not have a passport or my enhanced drivers license to do so
Thank You
Border locations are in the U.S. so you need a passport to cross the border.
Do you have a location at the Sumas Border Crossing just south of Abbotsford, BC?
We sure do! It’s called Letterlock Kinek. You can sign up at http://www.kinek.com/sign-up.
Can i order computer hardware from amazon and use kinek to receive it, also how much would it cost if it is possible?
Hi Daniel,
Yes you sure can. Each location has a per package fee listed on their profile. You can sign up at http://www.kinek.com/sign-up. Typically around $5 per package.
So I read the comment where someone asked about getting charged duty when returning to Canada after picking up a package and you said that 99.9% of the time we will pay sales tax, now when would we pay that? At the border or with our order like any other purchase?
ALSO if I’m coming from Toronto which location would be my best bet to have it shipped to BUFFALO, NY (peace bridge) or NIAGARA FALLS NEW YORK?
Hi Chelsey,
You pay the HST at the border when you’re crossing back into Canada. You don’t pay brokerage or duty since you’re bringing it across.
All the locations in Buffalo/Niagara Falls/Lewiston/Tonawanda are great locations. You simply chose which one best fits your needs.
Some businesses only accept payment from a credit card with a U.S. Billing address. Any idea how to work around that? I live in Canada.
Hi Rita,
I suggest asking the retailer you’re purchasing from what your options are. Sometimes merchants offer PAyPal as a payment option. If you do a “guest” checkout then you can enter a Canadian billing address. Make sure you do no create or login to an existing PayPal account, it must be a guest checkout.
I am a Canadian and I ordered a package from China from AliExpress.com using my Kinek address (in Canada the fees for just opening the package make it cost ineffective). I realized later that there may be custom fee on delivery. Can Kinek pick-up my package and I will pay them upon delivery, can they leave it in the local post office and I would go and pick it there, or would the package be returned to China? Is there any other option how to receive the package that is already in transit? Thank you for your reply.
Hi Ivo,
Packages that have any duty/COD charges are rejected as Kinek does not pay for these fee’s. The customer must ensure that all possible duty/COD fee’s are paid upfront with the retailer at time of purchase.
who is the receiver in my parcel if i buy a goods which should be delivered from amazon.com to Edge Logistics? me or kinek number,or Edge Logistics? if it’s the later, how about my goods’ return or repair?
You simply enter the address exactly as shown in your account. You are responsible for returns.
Have read all posts and Google cannot answer this question. Why am I not paying duties when I cross the Canadian border with my package? What is the loophole that makes the items exempt 99.9% of the time from paying duties?
You should also get rid of using the term drop box, as Google thinks drop boxes are a way to share internet files. Just a thought.
Hi Charles,
There’s no loophole. You pay HST at the border just as if you bought the item in your province. You don’t have to pay Brokerage fee’s and import duties since you’re bringing the item across yourself. This is a standard and is in no way illegal or using any loopholes. It’s the same for everyone.
How long will you hold packages for? Like if I order but don’t pick it up for a couple of months is that okay?
Hi Lori,
Currently, the standard in the Kinek network is 30 days unless otherwise specified on your KinekPoints profile.
Hello, what size packages would you be able to accomodate? Would furniture (ie. several dining chairs) be acceptable and what sort of fee could I expect around 150 lbs total?
Each location has their own limits. Many locations can handle large items of 150 lbs or more.
i tried reading your q&a to see if my question would be answered, but i gave up after reading a good amount. I will be using your services for sure, just would like to know how far is your closest location? I live in toronto, so i believe the niagara falls border (rainbow bridge) is the nearest one to me. please advise! thank you!!!! oh! and store hours of that location please and thank you!
There’s many locations in that area right at the border. Just sign up at http://www.kinek.com/sign-up and pick the location that suits your needs.
Hi, this sounds fab! The only problem is I live pretty far from the boarder. Is there any services provided that can allow for my package to be shipped off from the kinekpoint to my house? Obviously with some sort of fee? If there is such thing, how much would that cost? Let me know please.
Thanks,
S
Currently, Kinek does not provide forwarding services. Hopefully in the future!
Hey, I was just wondering how much the pickup fee would be for something as big and heavy as a crib?
Thanks!
Hi Ashley,
Each location has a per package fee. They typically start around $5 per package and go up by weight. Once you sign up and select a location you can view their pricing.
http://www.kinek.com/sign-up