SHIPPING CHARGES

Shipping charges are based on the amount Canada Post charges to ship your package.  Current rates are based on the September 11, 2023 Canada Post tarriff.  Canada Post has a fuel surcharge that is also factored into the shipping charges as well. This fuel surcharge changes each week - so actual rates may go up and down week to week.  I do not change rates unless the fuel surcharge goes up or down significantly.  My rates are rounded off to the nearest dollar instead of the exact rate. Note that the website creates the shipping charges based on a number of factors and sometimes, the rate may be considerable higher than the actual rate.  I will adjust shipping charges downward if the rate is significantly different than the actual rate ( more than $2 difference). If the actual rate is higher than the website charges - you will not be charged any additional amount. 

Most of the time, we drop shipments at the post office the next business day after order is processed, though the odd time we are unable to make it to the post office until the second day.  Since I am close to the main Canada Post sorting plant near Toronto, packages usually get on their way fairly quickly with most US and International packages leaving the country the following day.

We use both new and used boxes for shipments containing larger items and small decal/small part orders are shipped in padded envelopes for protection.

If you have special requirements or want more information on specific shipping for items you are interested in - please contact us as we are flexible in options and can give you a better idea on the actual cost.

ORDERS WITHIN CANADA:

Orders containing decal and/or small detail parts are shipped in a padded envelope for protection and they are shipped regular lettermail if they can meet the 2cm thickness requlation by Canada Post.

MINIMUM shipping charges for small decal/parts order that can ship via lettermail is $2.00 and does not include tracking. Tracking IS available if you like - at extra cost - select - CANADA POST WITH TRACKING ( CANADA POST IMAGE WITH BAR CODE ) option on checkout. Tracking does not mean faster service, but at least lets you know where your package is.  Average delivery time can range from a couple days within Ontario to a couple of weeks for the rest of Canada.   Priority services are available if you wish - Xpresspost and Priority mail services are available at much higher costs and in most cases - are not worth the extra cost unless you need your package  very quickly.

Canadian orders for items like bulk pack of Kadee couplers or Kadee trucks have to be shipped at the parcel rate as the Kadee packaging is too thick as per Canada Post regulations ( maximum thickness of package is 2cm for lettermail rate ). However, many of these items can be removed from their packages and placed in plastic bags and shipped as lettermail in a padded envelope. If your order does not contain any large items that absolutely requires a box and you wish to save on the postage by having me remove the items from their original packages, please proceed to checkout with the parcel rate - send me an email indicating that you wish to have the items removed from their packages to save on postage. If I am able to remove the items from their packages to save postage, I will refund the difference in shipping if paid via Paypal ( or charge your credit card the reduced amount - NOTE: If you plan on using Interac eTransfer - then wait until I advise of the revised total before sending the transfer ). This primarily applies to Kadee products that are packaged in their clear blister pack and covers items such as bulk pack of HO couplers, some HO freight car parts, O scale 7xx series couplers and HO scale trucks. Ordering multiple items that this applies to may result in the shipping charge being set higher than it actually costs as well. Shipping charge may be reduced after your order has been processed if this is the case.

ORDERS TO USA:

Orders containing decal and/or small detail parts are shipped in a padded envelope for protection and shipped via Tracked Packet - USA. 

Minimum shipping charge for USA is $9.75.   Due to the small business discount I receive from Canada Post at this time, all packages to the US will have tracking - regardless of whether you select tracking or not.  If you do select tracking - then you will receive a tracking number from Canada Post ( this means that we provide your email address to Canada Post ).   If you do not select tracking - you will not receive a tracking number, however, you can check your order online or ask me for it later if you like.  Tracking does not mean faster service, but at least let you know where your package is.  Also, once I drop off your package at the post office - I would suggest you use the USPS tracking for your package instead of the Canada Post tracking sent in the email for your package - it is MUCH better at keeping you up to date of your package's progress.

Most shipments to the USA take 5 to 15 days.  Packages do require customs clearance into the US and may add a day or so to the total delivery time.

ALL OTHERS COUNTRIES:

Orders containing decal and/or small detail parts are shipped in a padded envelope for protection and shipped via Small Packet Air. 

Minimum shipping charge is $12.00 ( actual minimum rate depends on country package is going to ) and does not include tracking.  Tracking IS available to some countries - at extra cost - select - CANADA POST WITH TRACKING ( CANADA POST IMAGE WITH BAR CODE ) option on checkout IF it is available to your country.  If there is not option for tracking on the website, it means Canada Post does not offer this service to your country.

Packages to some countries that are over 2kg in weight can only ship via Xpresspost ( includes tracking) and only regular airmail with no option for tracking for countries that are not served via Xpresspost.  You can only select regular airmail or tracking services via the website.  Though I do not recommend it, if you wish to have your package sent via surface mail - please contact us prior to placing your order.  Canada Post shows that surface mail to most countries takes 4 to 12 weeks.

Most shipments outside North America take about 5 fo 20 days via airmail, though this does vary depending on the country and items can be held up in customs for days and even weeks before being released.