Import fees when buying from Canada

[baronn 111]

Does anyone have any knowledge of export duties or fees from Canada? Looking to buy some gear from there and need to know if there's gonna be a fee on this stuff. Thanks

[adamUK 3]

Don't you just put the gear in the trunk of your car and drive it over the border like everyone else

There's some good calculator here which actually has skydiving gear on it: http://www.dutycalculator.com/

Adam.

[staginthesky 0]

I bought my used container from somebody in Canada. A little later I got a bill from UPS with the import duties.

[adamUK 3]

You probably got a hefty 'handling fee' from UPS as well... As I did once. Never again

[TaylorC 0]

When shipping it just put a value of 0 dollars and it being a gift. No duties that way. Just need to be careful cause you will have no insurance on it that way though.

[Chris-Ottawa 0]

1) Don't ship by courier (UPS, FED-EX etc...) , use Canada Post. Only "some" packages get taxes due to the sheer volume. Couriers will catch every one, and they have a massive "fee" to "handle" your package through their automated system.
2) There is generally no duty on the gear, you pay taxes on the claimed amount. Less claimed = less taxes.
3) "Warranty" repair only charges taxes on the "repairs" not the full amount. This is great to ensure the full product is insured, but minimal taxes.
4) Drive it across if you're near by.
5) Anything under $60 is not taxable if claimed as gift. But, no insurance...
6) LOTS of Canadians head south at various times of the year. If they bring it across and ship it from with the states, that would cut the border out of the equation.


Of course, this is all tax evasion and punishable by law so...YMMV.

"When once you have tasted flight..."

[riggerrob 598]

adamUK

You probably got a hefty 'handling fee' from UPS as well... As I did once. Never again

.................................................................................

UPS is a customs brokerage house mascarading as a courier company. One time they charged me a $45 "brokerage fee" after they concluded that the goods were manufactured in North America and no customs duties were due.
Hah!
Hah!

[ryoder 1,546]

I've never heard of issues when shipping from Canada to US, but have heard horror stories of shipping in the opposite direction, and my local USP Store warned me to never use UPS to ship to Canada!

Here is a link about the issue: http://trueler.com/2010/09/13/ups-brokerage-fees-total-scam-fraud-cheating-avoid-it/

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[gowlerk 2,093]

The US government does not tax it's people for articles valued at less than $2000 shipped from Canada. However, there is paperwork to do and UPS will charge you through the nose to do it. If you ship by mail the shipper fills out a declaration of value and origin.

If the value is more, like a complete rig, it depends where it was made. Since they commonly are made in the USA there would still be no duty. If it's European or South African, or NZ there may be duty and you should consult a broker.

I ship items to customers in the US often. None have had to pay tax or duty so far as I know.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[baronn 111]

So if I understand you correctly, sending thru the regular mail avoids these fees. Is that sent thru the US mail or Canadian? Thanks

[gowlerk 2,093]

International shipments use the postal services of both countries. I was talking about shipping from Canada to the USA.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[hokierower 0]

PM Sent