Possible issues with running a keycap GB out of Canada?

[eyeless]

Couldn't find a better area on gh to post this but if there is I apologize

Currently close to starting a group buy for a new DSA set (Link at bottom of post ). I am going through Signature Plastics, but I'm currently worried at the fact that when I ordered keycaps through PMK, I got hit with provincial tax and a 10$ handling fee.I live in Vancouver, and rarely get charged any sort of duty fee or taxes when ordering from the US. These fees are so unpredictable from my past experience that I'm scared to even run the GB if I could risk losing money because of the fact that I got ****ed by idiotic fees.

TL:DR: Do you get charged massive taxes and handling fees for running a group buy in Canada and ordering your supply from an american company?

The IC for the set I am creating, DSA Forested Nights: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=91410.0
also on r/mechanicalkeyboards here: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/6y2vo1/ic_dsa_or_sa_forested_nights/?st=j76oiexr&sh=b7ba05ff

[Auk]

If you can't reliably account for all costs then your not ready to run the group buy. Things can go wrong with the best planning, so for you to even contemplate risking the tax is very strong incentive to dissuade buyers from participating.

You're not established in the community either, so if the set is gaining enough interest you could consider finding a trusted seller with experience running GBs to partner with you and make the set a reality.

[xondat]

Google it? If you can't find the information yourself then I don't think you should run a group buy where you're potentially dealing with tens of thousands of dollars.

[eyeless]

Google it? If you can't find the information yourself then I don't think you should run a group buy where you're potentially dealing with tens of thousands of dollars.

I have been looking into it and researching it but haven't found the information I am looking for, that's why I made this post. Going to call CBSA so I can find out if they are able to provide me with an estimate of what will be charged. It varies so much by item/items in Canada that the info online is so unreliable, and I'm not taking the risk of leaving buyers dead in the water. All I was asking is if anybody else has had experience with the topic so I can ensure buyer security.

[eyeless]

If you can't reliably account for all costs then your not ready to run the group buy. Things can go wrong with the best planning, so for you to even contemplate risking the tax is very strong incentive to dissuade buyers from participating.

You're not established in the community either, so if the set is gaining enough interest you could consider finding a trusted seller with experience running GBs to partner with you and make the set a reality.

I can't reliably account for all costs. yet. The group buy hasn't started yet or is even close to starting. I'm not contemplating risking the tax, I am actively searching for what the exact charges will be from the CBSA since they are so random in what they charge and when. I'm aware that buyers are going to be extremely hesitant to participate in someones first gb, but we all have to start somewhere, and we all learn along the way. I'm just trying to make something I'm interested in and proud of a reality.

[nmur]

just a thought,

i've never curated a GB, but if i were to start doing so, i'd probably opt for my first GB to be something small, low-risk, and easy. like stickers, tshirts, prints, singular novelty key through PMK, etc, so i could get a feel of the entire process in terms of time/money/effort investment, as well as being able to conduct communication between manufacturer(s) and GB participants. there's a buttload of things that can go wrong with a full keyset GB. quality issues, delays, layout decisions, packing and shipping, missing keys, not to mention each order can be >$100. even experienced GB runners still have to deal with unforeseen issues that can write off the entire GB

[voodoo6k]

Sorry for bumping this thread, but I have the same question.

Did you ever get an answer about taxes? Are keycaps considered commercial goods?

[eyeless]

Sorry for bumping this thread, but I have the same question.

Did you ever get an answer about taxes? Are keycaps considered commercial goods?

Sorry for the late reply, It's a long story but in the end I never could find a conclusive answer. I eventually got tipped off that zFrontier was willing to work with people who were designing their first keysets and was going to have my set manufactured by Keyreative and distributed by zFrontier, taking something like a 15% cut of sales from what I remember. In the end I had personal issues come up that lead to me deciding not to ever finish the GB and sort of dip from the MK community for awhile and I haven't spoken with zFrontier since. If I were you I'd just find someone else willing to handle sales and shipping as it makes your life much easier. Smaller profit margin but it really does save a ton of time.

[tp4tissue]

All Group-Buy Initializers should be Interviewed thoroughly..

[voodoo6k]

Sorry for the late reply, It's a long story but in the end I never could find a conclusive answer. I eventually got tipped off that zFrontier was willing to work with people who were designing their first keysets and was going to have my set manufactured by Keyreative and distributed by zFrontier, taking something like a 15% cut of sales from what I remember. In the end I had personal issues come up that lead to me deciding not to ever finish the GB and sort of dip from the MK community for awhile and I haven't spoken with zFrontier since. If I were you I'd just find someone else willing to handle sales and shipping as it makes your life much easier. Smaller profit margin but it really does save a ton of time.

Thanks for your response.

FYI, I contacted the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and what you need for customs duties exemption is a Certificate of Origin (eg. NAFTA). Otherwise, duties are around 6%, but I think you can still get a drawback (not 100% sure) if the manufacturer doesn't want to get involved and provide a certificate of origin.

On top of that, there's the GST/HST, which is around 5%. For this, there are programs such as the Exporters of Processing Services Program (EOPS) or the Export Distribution Centre Program (EDCP). I think a group buy falls under EOPS (for kits sold outside of Canada).

[voodoo6k]

All Group-Buy Initializers should be Interviewed thoroughly..

Getting together with your local community members seems like a good option as well.