Shipping items internationally can be a risk because many of the times, the receiver never receives it. When this happens, you are out of a product and money because if you are selling a product to a consumer, they paid for the item and they want their money back. In order to protect the item, you should place insurance on it. The consumer can place insurance on the item as well when they purchase it, but to be on the safe side, the seller should do it.
International shipping to Canada can be costly because you want the package to be received in the shortest time possible. That way the receiver has a chance of actually receiving the package. Many of the times, customs take days before they check a package and send it out. When they do send it out, the carrier could dump it on the truck and break it. When this happens, the receiver receives a broken item that has to be sent back for a refund.
The consumer or seller who placed insurance on the item can make a claim with the carrier. The shipping company has information on their Website on how to make a claim. Make sure you keep the package because their may be numbers on the package that have to be entered on the application. Once the application is processed, you will receive a check in the mail.
Items that were never received can be traced by tracking the item with the tracking number you received when you shipped the item. If you still can't locate any information by using the tracking number, contact the shipping company who will complete an investigation to see what they can find. If they can't find anything, they can send you a check for your missing item, if you placed insurance on it.
When it comes to shipping products internationally, it is a good idea to place insurance on it. The shipping clerk will ask you how much insurance you want on it. It doesn't cost much to place insurance on the item. If anything happens to it, you won't feel bad because you will receive some money back.