Custom Fees From USA to Canada?

[stancato9]

I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about custom fees when shipping from USA to Canada. When I bought my Poker 2 from qtan (although he is in china I believe) I got nailed $20 in fees which made it not worth the purchase.

Do you always get charged? Are there ways to avoid it? Thanks.

[jdcarpe]

I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about custom fees when shipping from USA to Canada. When I bought my Poker 2 from qtan (although he is in china I believe) I got nailed $20 in fees which made it not worth the purchase.

Do you always get charged? Are there ways to avoid it? Thanks.

I believe the only way to avoid it is to have the shipper mark the item as "Gift," and assign a low value (<$20) on the customs form. I ususally do this when shipping International. You guys pay enough taxes to the state already, without paying additional VAT/import taxes on personal member-to-member purchases.

Sometimes that is not enough, however, as Customs can open the package and look up the value of an item, if it's clear what it is. So there is no foolproof way to get around the taxes.

[Halverson]

I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about custom fees when shipping from USA to Canada. When I bought my Poker 2 from qtan (although he is in china I believe) I got nailed $20 in fees which made it not worth the purchase.

Do you always get charged? Are there ways to avoid it? Thanks.

It is random I have found. But the best way to avoid it, get them to value it at a lesser amount on the customs form. And the best way to avoid fees is anything that arrives VIA Canada post. With other companies, I always get stupid ****ing "handling" fees, which have nothing to do with custom fees.

[kenmai9]

I'm just wondering if anyone knows anything about custom fees when shipping from USA to Canada. When I bought my Poker 2 from qtan (although he is in china I believe) I got nailed $20 in fees which made it not worth the purchase.

Do you always get charged? Are there ways to avoid it? Thanks.

I believe the only way to avoid it is to have the shipper mark the item as "Gift," and assign a low value (<$20) on the customs form. I ususally do this when shipping International. You guys pay enough taxes to the state already, without paying additional VAT/import taxes on personal member-to-member purchases.

Sometimes that is not enough, however, as Customs can open the package and look up the value of an item, if it's clear what it is. So there is no foolproof way to get around the taxes.

Yeah I do gift and set value at 9.99 for smaller stuff and 24.99 for bigger stuff lol. I hope it helps? Haven't had complaints or issues

[JPG]

I have not much experience, but I have not been charged for custom fees yet. But I think that all the stuff I got used Canada post (like usps then Canada post or something like that).

Must be part luck also in the end.

[stancato9]

I have not much experience, but I have not been charged for custom fees yet. But I think that all the stuff I got used Canada post (like usps then Canada post or something like that).

Must be part luck also in the end.

What was the value of the items you purchased?

Thanks guys, I figured if the seller marks it at a low value that would work. I'm more worried about ordering from sites like originative and mechanicalkeyboards.com. I have some clear switches on the way and I just realized I am probably going to get nailed on customs, again making the purchase not worth it.

I also want to order a keyset from originative after Christmas but customs on something around $100 is probably going to be another $30. Again, making the purchase not worth it.

Canada has it hard!

[JPG]

I have not much experience, but I have not been charged for custom fees yet. But I think that all the stuff I got used Canada post (like usps then Canada post or something like that).

Must be part luck also in the end.

What was the value of the items you purchased?

Thanks guys, I figured if the seller marks it at a low value that would work. I'm more worried about ordering from sites like originative and mechanicalkeyboards.com. I have some clear switches on the way and I just realized I am probably going to get nailed on customs, again making the purchase not worth it.

I also want to order a keyset from originative after Christmas but customs on something around $100 is probably going to be another $30. Again, making the purchase not worth it.

Canada has it hard!

It varied, between 10 to 150$.

[Halverson]

I have not much experience, but I have not been charged for custom fees yet. But I think that all the stuff I got used Canada post (like usps then Canada post or something like that).

Must be part luck also in the end.

What was the value of the items you purchased?

Thanks guys, I figured if the seller marks it at a low value that would work. I'm more worried about ordering from sites like originative and mechanicalkeyboards.com. I have some clear switches on the way and I just realized I am probably going to get nailed on customs, again making the purchase not worth it.

I also want to order a keyset from originative after Christmas but customs on something around $100 is probably going to be another $30. Again, making the purchase not worth it.

Canada has it hard!

If you order from Originative, you can PM Sherryton and probably ask him to ship it in a certain way.

Canada getting packages may be hard, but other than that, mother ****ing Canada FTW!

[stancato9]

Yeah I'll either PM or email him in the future when I am going to buy something. Hopefully I don't get nailed on these clear switches ) Hopefully I can get lucky like some of you have.

Thanks guys.

[vivalarevolución]

I thought the purpose of NAFTA was to eliminate this sort of thing.

[IPT]

I thought the purpose of NAFTA was to eliminate this sort of thing.

its free trade between businesses for components and what not, not end customer and end products for sale in the country.
For Canada which has GST/HST, they collect when it goes to the end consumer/citizen.

All the free govt program has to be paid for somehow, everyone's gotta pay their share.
Its the same for Europe & China with VAT.

In the US, as a citizen/resident of the USA you get taxed if you're bringing in goods you bought over $800.
Also people who sell stuff and mail to US resident, they get charged tax for over $100.

[taylordcraig]

Customs are about 5% of the shipment value. The only way to avoid it is prepay with a courier and they'll charge you more in fees in most cases.
This is Canada's way of saying "**** you, we don't care about our citizens consumer electronics."

Experience: talking with all sorts of mail employees and recently purchasing a large number of things online. Including headphones, keyboards, household appliances.

Edit: it's best to expect to pay 5% more on your order and calculate if it might be cheaper to get it in town or at a canadian online retailer.

[IPT]

Customs are about 5% of the shipment value. The only way to avoid it is prepay with a courier and they'll charge you more in fees in most cases.
This is Canada's way of saying "**** you, we don't care about our citizens consumer electronics."

Experience: talking with all sorts of mail employees and recently purchasing a large number of things online. Including headphones, keyboards, household appliances.

 btw i mailed a video card to someone in Toronto b4 and i was slapped with FedEx Customs fee of $25.00.
The receiver ended up having to pay $50 dollars in Duty and customs clearance.
go figure.

[taylordcraig]

Customs are about 5% of the shipment value. The only way to avoid it is prepay with a courier and they'll charge you more in fees in most cases.
This is Canada's way of saying "**** you, we don't care about our citizens consumer electronics."

Experience: talking with all sorts of mail employees and recently purchasing a large number of things online. Including headphones, keyboards, household appliances.

 btw i mailed a video card to someone in Toronto b4 and i was slapped with FedEx Customs fee of $25.00.
The receiver ended up having to pay $50 dollars in Duty and customs clearance.
go figure.

Yes. UPS has $50+ options which cover customs, but it'sa lmost never worth it. Best to use USPS whenever possible. You'll still pay customs, it'll just be less.

[IPT]

Customs are about 5% of the shipment value. The only way to avoid it is prepay with a courier and they'll charge you more in fees in most cases.
This is Canada's way of saying "**** you, we don't care about our citizens consumer electronics."

Experience: talking with all sorts of mail employees and recently purchasing a large number of things online. Including headphones, keyboards, household appliances.

 btw i mailed a video card to someone in Toronto b4 and i was slapped with FedEx Customs fee of $25.00.
The receiver ended up having to pay $50 dollars in Duty and customs clearance.
go figure.

Yes. UPS has $50+ options which cover customs, but it'sa lmost never worth it. Best to use USPS whenever possible. You'll still pay customs, it'll just be less.

unfortunately, after that experience which sucked for both of us, i just choose to ship in US only.

[stancato9]

Customs are about 5% of the shipment value. The only way to avoid it is prepay with a courier and they'll charge you more in fees in most cases.
This is Canada's way of saying "**** you, we don't care about our citizens consumer electronics."

Experience: talking with all sorts of mail employees and recently purchasing a large number of things online. Including headphones, keyboards, household appliances.

 btw i mailed a video card to someone in Toronto b4 and i was slapped with FedEx Customs fee of $25.00.
The receiver ended up having to pay $50 dollars in Duty and customs clearance.
go figure.

Yes. UPS has $50+ options which cover customs, but it'sa lmost never worth it. Best to use USPS whenever possible. You'll still pay customs, it'll just be less.

unfortunately, after that experience which sucked for both of us, i just choose to ship in US only.

I've never heard of the seller having to pay customs, that's really odd.

[swill]

I am in canada and buy a lot from the US. I have bought many camera lenses via eBay and I have been dinged many times.

- ALWAYS ask the seller to mark as a gift.  Some sellers will, some wont.  I find that the sellers that won't usually have automated commercial invoice / shipping systems.  Never hurts to ask.
- when possible, avoid using a courier. Their buisiness practices are stacked against you. If the seller even blinks wrong they will find a way to charge you extra fees.
- ask the seller to pack the items well and ship via standard USPS, you will save a fortune.
- ask the seller to under value the item. Again, some will and some won't. Obviously it is at their disgretion.

I do a LOT of business over the boarder and these practices have saved me a retarded amount if money.

Good luck.

[stancato9]

I am in canada and buy a lot from the US. I have bought many camera lenses via eBay and I have been dinged many times.

- ALWAYS ask the seller to mark as a gift.  Some sellers will, some wont.  I find that the sellers that won't usually have automated commercial invoice / shipping systems.  Never hurts to ask.
- when possible, avoid using a courier. Their buisiness practices are stacked against you. If the seller even blinks wrong they will find a way to charge you extra fees.
- ask the seller to pack the items well and ship via standard USPS, you will save a fortune.
- ask the seller to under value the item. Again, some will and some won't. Obviously it is at their disgretion.

I do a LOT of business over the boarder and these practices have saved me a retarded amount if money.

Good luck.

Excellent points. What do you mean by packing well and shipping through standard USPS? Is that a method that has no tracking?

[vivalarevolución]

I thought the purpose of NAFTA was to eliminate this sort of thing.

its free trade between businesses for components and what not, not end customer and end products for sale in the country.
For Canada which has GST/HST, they collect when it goes to the end consumer/citizen.

All the free govt program has to be paid for somehow, everyone's gotta pay their share.
Its the same for Europe & China with VAT.

In the US, as a citizen/resident of the USA you get taxed if you're bringing in goods you bought over $800.
Also people who sell stuff and mail to US resident, they get charged tax for over $100.

Sounds like a perfect example of corporate cronyism that screws over the small man.

[jinxedx84]

I purchase alot of things in the USA and i live in a border town in Canada. What i do is have it shipped to a place called "ship happens".  And when i go down and do some shopping, i just pick it up. My wife and I spend any where from 300 - 500 in a day trip (been doing this for years) and we "never" pay duty. We bring back alcohol even. Buy stuff on amazon and what not is usually free within the CONUS and is like 10 days faster than having it sent directly to my house. Maybe im just lucky im 20 mins from a border crossing

[stancato9]

I purchase alot of things in the USA and i live in a border town in Canada. What i do is have it shipped to a place called "ship happens".  And when i go down and do some shopping, i just pick it up. My wife and I spend any where from 300 - 500 in a day trip (been doing this for years) and we "never" pay duty. We bring back alcohol even. Buy stuff on amazon and what not is usually free within the CONUS and is like 10 days faster than having it sent directly to my house. Maybe im just lucky im 20 mins from a border crossing

Yeah, that's a really nice option that you have. If I was that close I would do that as well.

[vivalarevolución]

I purchase alot of things in the USA and i live in a border town in Canada. What i do is have it shipped to a place called "ship happens".  And when i go down and do some shopping, i just pick it up. My wife and I spend any where from 300 - 500 in a day trip (been doing this for years) and we "never" pay duty. We bring back alcohol even. Buy stuff on amazon and what not is usually free within the CONUS and is like 10 days faster than having it sent directly to my house. Maybe im just lucky im 20 mins from a border crossing

My roommate grew up in a New York border town right on the border with Quebec, and the town had a good hustle with one of those shipping services and selling stuff that Canadians could get cheaper in the US.  Wonderful.

[taylordcraig]

I am in canada and buy a lot from the US. I have bought many camera lenses via eBay and I have been dinged many times.

- ALWAYS ask the seller to mark as a gift.  Some sellers will, some wont.  I find that the sellers that won't usually have automated commercial invoice / shipping systems.  Never hurts to ask.
- when possible, avoid using a courier. Their buisiness practices are stacked against you. If the seller even blinks wrong they will find a way to charge you extra fees.
- ask the seller to pack the items well and ship via standard USPS, you will save a fortune.
- ask the seller to under value the item. Again, some will and some won't. Obviously it is at their disgretion.

I do a LOT of business over the boarder and these practices have saved me a retarded amount if money.

Good luck.

Excellent points. What do you mean by packing well and shipping through standard USPS? Is that a method that has no tracking?

Idk about this, tracking is always a good option and won't incur any more fees.
But USPS IS the way to go shipping across border.

[Kabuks]

The only time I've ever be hit with custom fees is when I buy things from business like mechanicalkeyboards.com and elitekeyboards which makes sense cause customs is just collecting taxes because you aren't taxed at purchase. On all other mail I've never had any customs charges and I've had alot of mail even some with high marked values.

[IPT]

I thought the purpose of NAFTA was to eliminate this sort of thing.

its free trade between businesses for components and what not, not end customer and end products for sale in the country.
For Canada which has GST/HST, they collect when it goes to the end consumer/citizen.

All the free govt program has to be paid for somehow, everyone's gotta pay their share.
Its the same for Europe & China with VAT.

In the US, as a citizen/resident of the USA you get taxed if you're bringing in goods you bought over $800.
Also people who sell stuff and mail to US resident, they get charged tax for over $100.

Sounds like a perfect example of corporate cronyism that screws over the small man.

meh you want the benefits of healthcare and what not, everyone has to pay their fair share lol

[taylordcraig]

There are very few benefits to Canadian healthcare. Also, it's only free if you make less than 10,500CND a year.
I've been screwed so many times by our great medical system. They won't let you just die, though, I guess.

[ijprest]

I buy a lot of stuff from the US (and elsewhere).

Due to NAFTA, most stuff is duty-free, so you will generally only have to pay GST/PST/HST (so I pay 13% in Ontario)... but the courier/postal-service is free to charge you other handling fees.

As others have mentioned, your best bet is to *always* use USPS->Canada Post.

• Canada Post will seldom charge you any customs for packages under $100 in value (less than 1 time in 20, in my experience), and will often let stuff < $200 go through... though it's somewhat random; the couriers will almost always charge you.
• Canada Post charges a flat $10 fee (when it actually decides to collect customs); UPS and FedEx charge $30 (more for high-value packages) for "brokerage"; DHL GlobalMail charges $10-12, but it's collected COD, so you can't pay with a credit card, and it's a lot more hassle because the mail-clerk has to remit it as a money-order.
• Plus, Canada Post has convenient retail locations to pick up your packages... the couriers usually make you drive out to some industrial park in the middle of nowhere.

If you absolutely *have* to use UPS, *don't* use the cheapest service ("UPS Standard to Canada")... because brokerage is not included, and you *will* get a $30 charge when it arrives.  Much better to pay an extra $10 up front to go to the next tier of service where brokerage is included (you'll still have to pay GST/PST/HST, though).

Any of the services that *pre-charge* taxes/customs (e.g., Amazon.com) are usually OK... you know you won't get dinged on delivery (though you still have to drive out to the industrial park if it's delivered by a courier). 

Services like UPS Mail Innovations (where UPS delivers it to the border, then Canada Post handles the actual delivery) are generally OK too... DHL GlobalMail being the exception (see above).

Your best bet for avoiding charges completely is to have it declared as a gift, or with a low value.  But that's probably/technically illegal, so I never ask.  Some nice retailers do it anyway.

[swill]

I am in canada and buy a lot from the US. I have bought many camera lenses via eBay and I have been dinged many times.

- ALWAYS ask the seller to mark as a gift.  Some sellers will, some wont.  I find that the sellers that won't usually have automated commercial invoice / shipping systems.  Never hurts to ask.
- when possible, avoid using a courier. Their buisiness practices are stacked against you. If the seller even blinks wrong they will find a way to charge you extra fees.
- ask the seller to pack the items well and ship via standard USPS, you will save a fortune.
- ask the seller to under value the item. Again, some will and some won't. Obviously it is at their disgretion.

I do a LOT of business over the boarder and these practices have saved me a retarded amount if money.

Good luck.

Excellent points. What do you mean by packing well and shipping through standard USPS? Is that a method that has no tracking?

USPS is United States Postal Service.  It is basically just regular mail.  I have never had a problem with regular mail not arriving to me in Canada.  International may be totally different, but US to Canada, you can go cheap on shipping and still get the package in a reasonable time.

[swill]

I am in canada and buy a lot from the US. I have bought many camera lenses via eBay and I have been dinged many times.

- ALWAYS ask the seller to mark as a gift.  Some sellers will, some wont.  I find that the sellers that won't usually have automated commercial invoice / shipping systems.  Never hurts to ask.
- when possible, avoid using a courier. Their buisiness practices are stacked against you. If the seller even blinks wrong they will find a way to charge you extra fees.
- ask the seller to pack the items well and ship via standard USPS, you will save a fortune.
- ask the seller to under value the item. Again, some will and some won't. Obviously it is at their disgretion.

I do a LOT of business over the boarder and these practices have saved me a retarded amount if money.

Good luck.

Excellent points. What do you mean by packing well and shipping through standard USPS? Is that a method that has no tracking?

Idk about this, tracking is always a good option and won't incur any more fees.
But USPS IS the way to go shipping across border.

If tracking is free, absolutely get tracking.  In canada, it costs about twice as much to add tracking.  I don't know how much it is to add tracking to USPS, but if it is free that would be a great option.  Not sure it is required as long as the buyer is patient and there is trust between the seller and buyer (which I see on here often).  Hell I have sold stuff on credit that and I don't have a clue what I am going to get for it, but I trust the person I sold it too...