Transborder Interlibrary Loan:
Shipping Interlibrary Loan Materials from the U.S. to Canada
The following is the text of a fact sheet prepared by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) with assistance from the National Library of Canada (Revised July 1999).
Background
Interlibrary borrowing and lending arrangements between libraries in the United States and Canada have flourished for many years. Many libraries, especially those closest to the border, participate in "cross border" ILL on a regular basis. Electronic ordering systems have increased the amount of cross-border ILL traffic.
However, ILL shipments between the two countries has been problematic. Anecdotal evidence suggests that most problems occur with customs. For Canadian libraries, GST, custom clearance fees, and postal handling fees have been levied on interlibrary loan materials. These fees vary in amount but have been known to exceed $100 to borrow 21 reels of microfilm. U.S. libraries have also been charged custom clearance fees.
This fact sheet will guide U.S. libraries on the most effective methods of shipping and returning materials to Canadian libraries. This fact sheet applies primarily to returnable material. U.S. lending libraries may find that it is more cost-effective to send photocopies and other non-returnable materials via fax or Ariel. This fact sheet does not apply to other foreign countries, as different shipping regulations apply to materials sent to Mexico or other foreign countries.
I. Using the U.S. Postal Service to Send Materials to Canadian Libraries
Rate Classification:
Send via "Books and Sheet Music" rate.
Do not use "Printed Matter" as that rate includes all printed matter other than books, sheet music, and publisher's periodicals.
Package Markings:
Mark packages of returnables (books, microform, AV material):
ATTENTION REVENUE CANADA:
Tariff/Tarif 9993.00.00
GST/TPS Code: 51
International Loans Between Libraries (International Act of 1978)
No Commercial Value: Any Value Stated is for Insurance Purposes Only
Canadian tariff 98.12 permits books to be imported from foreign libraries for a specified period of time (generally 60 days) without payment of duty and is intended to cover the lending of foreign materials to Canadian libraries.
Weight Limit Of Packages:
- Maximum weight: 4 pounds
- For heavier packages:
- Separate material into multiple packages, each weighing less than 4 lbs.
- Send via a commercial carrier.
Costs:
Charges are based on weight.
Surface:Airmail:
1 lb.$1.37 $4.09
2 lbs.$1.85 $5.60
3 lbs.$4.00 $7.44
4 lbs.$4.64 $9.28
each add'l lb. -- $0.92
Insurance:
To insure the contents, the package must be sent "parcel post." Parcel post is the only class of international mail that can be insured. Charges for air parcel post to Canada:
1-2 lbs. $12.61 [minimum weight is 1 lb.]
3 lbs. $13.28
4 lbs. $15.11; each additional lb. is $0.80
II. Using the U.S. Postal Service to Return Materials Borrowed from Canadian Libraries
Rate Classification:
- Return via "Books and Sheet Music" rate.
- Do not use "Printed Matter" as that rate includes all printed matter other than books, sheet music, and publisher's periodicals.
Package Markings:
- Mark packages being returned to the lending library:
ATTENTION REVENUE CANADA:
Tariff/Tarif 9813.00.00 OR 9814.00.00
GST/TPS Code: 66
Property of <<the name of the lending library>>; material returned on interlibrary loan
- Canadian Tariff 98.13/14 permits Canadian goods that have been exported from Canada to be returned under specific conditions. These conditions include the return of ILL materials.
Weight Limit Of Packages:
- Maximum weight: 4 pounds
- For heavier packages:
- Separate material into multiple packages, each weighing less than 4 lbs.
- Send via a commercial carrier.
Costs:
Charges are based on weight.
Surface: Airmail:
1 lb.$2.70$4.09
2 lbs.$4.30$5.60
3 lbs.$5.58$7.44
4 lbs. $6.86$9.28
each add'l lb. --$0.92
Insurance:
To insure the contents, the package must be sent "parcel post." Parcel post is the only class of international mail that can be insured. Charges for air parcel post to Canada:
1-2 lbs. $12.61
3 lbs.$13.28
4 lbs.$15.11
each additional lb. $0.80
III. Sending or Returning Packages via Commercial
Delivery/Courier Companies
When selecting a courier company, it is important to choose one that delivers to the city in which the requesting/lending library is located. The courier company should not be permitted to leave the material at the closest border crossing, which may in fact be in a different province. The fees paid to the courier company should include the prepayment of any customs brokerage fees. If such fees are not paid, the receipt of the material will be delayed and the receiving/lending library will be billed for the brokerage fees.
Notes
This fact sheet may be reproduced freely as long as proper attribution is made.
For additional information on United States Postal Service rates, consult "International Postal Rates and Fees", Publication 51, revised as of May 30, 1999. «http://www.uspsglobal.com/info/welcome.htm»
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