Buying from the US
10-29-2004, 07:42 AM
#1
hey i want to buy a pair of subs and an amp from the states.
but the only thing is that i dont know how much duty i will be charged when it crosses the border.
anyone have any idea to figure out how much the duty will cost me?
but the only thing is that i dont know how much duty i will be charged when it crosses the border.
anyone have any idea to figure out how much the duty will cost me?
10-29-2004, 09:11 AM
#2
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 237
It depends entirely on the customs value that is listed on the commercial invoice. If the supplier lists a low value, you'll only be charged a bit. However, if he lists an extra-high value, you will be over-charged. Happened to me once...
Also depends on how the seller classifies the item. I bought a $300 head unit from ebay, and I only had to pay a $12 import fee because he listed the item as a commercial sample. But there are so many different rules for international shipping that it's impossible to say for sure...
[ October 29, 2004, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: strappingyounglad ]
Also depends on how the seller classifies the item. I bought a $300 head unit from ebay, and I only had to pay a $12 import fee because he listed the item as a commercial sample. But there are so many different rules for international shipping that it's impossible to say for sure...
[ October 29, 2004, 10:13 AM: Message edited by: strappingyounglad ]
10-29-2004, 02:01 PM
#5
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 820
If you ship with UPS they also charge you brokerage.
For 300 USD I was charged 60 in taxes and 55 in brokerage.
I think it's all BS. You can get items shipped to a UPS store over the boarder, pay 5 USD to have them hold it, go pick it up then save yourself the money for brokerage fees.
Or if you are badass you can smuggle it but that is illegal.
Thanks,
Craig G
For 300 USD I was charged 60 in taxes and 55 in brokerage.
I think it's all BS. You can get items shipped to a UPS store over the boarder, pay 5 USD to have them hold it, go pick it up then save yourself the money for brokerage fees.
Or if you are badass you can smuggle it but that is illegal.
Thanks,
Craig G
10-29-2004, 02:29 PM
#6
If it is used, just have the sender package the item really well and declare it for a low value. $40 CDN is the threshold for taxation in the majority of cases. Therefore having an item declared at $40 or below will avoid paying any taxes, or brokerage for that matter. Customs can not prove anything as to how much you actually paid for it. It is like how buying a car used to be. The seller would sign a receipt for half the actual amount paid to save the buyer $ in taxes. (Unfortunately the government figured this out and now uses the greater of book value or amount paid)
However, it is ESSENTIAL that the item is packaged VERY well as it can only be insured for the value it is declared.
Buying new is more of a risk, as it is possible that the package will be inspected. New items usually come with a receipt, so you would have to have the sender email you an invoice. Customs agents also have access to price lists and MSRPs for some products. They may assess the item based on these lists if they suspect fraud, as well as add on a penalty. However, for the most part government employees are lazy and inefficient and basically inspection = more work lol They only really inspect very large orders. Can you imagine how long it would take for packages to clear customs if every package was inspected? The government just likes to make you think you will get caught. Therefore, in all liklihood, packages won't be inspected unless highly suspicious, or if they are large orders with low declared values. I have yet to have a package inspected myself. [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
BTW, don't get the sender to list the item as a gift, as I'm sure packages sent as gifts at times other than XMAS are somewhat suspicious, and may warrant inspection. There is really no benefit in having the package classified as a gift anyway. All it does is make the untaxable amount $50 instead of $40 as far as I know.
All in all, buying from the US can save you a lot of $ right now if you use this method, as the exchange rate is the highest it has been in years.
However, it is ESSENTIAL that the item is packaged VERY well as it can only be insured for the value it is declared.
Buying new is more of a risk, as it is possible that the package will be inspected. New items usually come with a receipt, so you would have to have the sender email you an invoice. Customs agents also have access to price lists and MSRPs for some products. They may assess the item based on these lists if they suspect fraud, as well as add on a penalty. However, for the most part government employees are lazy and inefficient and basically inspection = more work
lol They only really inspect very large orders. Can you imagine how long it would take for packages to clear customs if every package was inspected? The government just likes to make you think you will get caught. Therefore, in all liklihood, packages won't be inspected unless highly suspicious, or if they are large orders with low declared values. I have yet to have a package inspected myself. [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] BTW, don't get the sender to list the item as a gift, as I'm sure packages sent as gifts at times other than XMAS are somewhat suspicious, and may warrant inspection. There is really no benefit in having the package classified as a gift anyway. All it does is make the untaxable amount $50 instead of $40 as far as I know.
All in all, buying from the US can save you a lot of $ right now if you use this method, as the exchange rate is the highest it has been in years.
10-29-2004, 03:54 PM
#7
Originally posted by MegaHurtz:
I recommend having it shipped to a UPS Customer Center in the US and then driving across and picking it up if you are in a convenient enough location to do so.
It will save you the customs delay and possibly some brokerage and other fees, but you will still have to pay duty which shouldn't matter because you have to do it no matter what route you choose to go.
I recommend having it shipped to a UPS Customer Center in the US and then driving across and picking it up if you are in a convenient enough location to do so.
It will save you the customs delay and possibly some brokerage and other fees, but you will still have to pay duty which shouldn't matter because you have to do it no matter what route you choose to go.
[ October 29, 2004, 04:57 PM: Message edited by: Kool ]
10-29-2004, 04:00 PM
#8
Gotta realize there are three parts to importing:
1. Duty - probably the cheapest part and getting cheaper all the time. Depends on which country the goods were made.
2. Taxes - GST, PST, or HST. Depends on which prov. you live in. You pay it using shipping, or if you declare it yourself at the border. Unless they wave you thru.
3. Brokerage fees. This is where you can save what the shipping companies charge you to do the Customs work by bringing it across the border yourself. This is were you can save some bucks.
I just paid ups forty some odd dollars brokerage for a new amp delivered to my door. But I did get it in four days. That was quick.
I found if they can ship usps its cheaper, but takes longer.
1. Duty - probably the cheapest part and getting cheaper all the time. Depends on which country the goods were made.
2. Taxes - GST, PST, or HST. Depends on which prov. you live in. You pay it using shipping, or if you declare it yourself at the border. Unless they wave you thru.
3. Brokerage fees. This is where you can save what the shipping companies charge you to do the Customs work by bringing it across the border yourself. This is were you can save some bucks.
I just paid ups forty some odd dollars brokerage for a new amp delivered to my door. But I did get it in four days. That was quick.
I found if they can ship usps its cheaper, but takes longer.
10-29-2004, 05:22 PM
#10
Originally posted by JohnVroom:
For US to Canada I prefer USPS over UPS
According to NAFTA if made in North America: no duty
Canadian taxes are a killer, ... if you buy in the US why would you pay Canadian taxes?
For US to Canada I prefer USPS over UPS
According to NAFTA if made in North America: no duty
Canadian taxes are a killer, ... if you buy in the US why would you pay Canadian taxes?
lolIt is a protectionist policy, as well as being obvious tax revenue. If items weren't taxed at all when coming over the border, then Canadians would do all their shopping in the US, and Canadian business would suffer.
The same thing applies to US citizens buying from Canada I believe. The difference is that your untaxable amount is $200 US, as opposed to $40 CDN in our case.
