Paying customs fees on an item being returned - can I get a refund for those fees?

[dinomitesales]

Hypothetical scenario:

Say I sell an item to someone in the US (i.e. shipping from Canada to the US), and they want to return it for whatever reason. Let's say this is a fairly expensive object - $200 CAD. The buyer mails it back to me, but it gets stopped at Canadian customs and has customs/duty fees applied to it. In order to retrieve my item from my local post office, I need to pay these customs fees.

Is there any way to get a refund for these customs fees from CBSA? This is an item that originated in Canada and is simply returning to Canada. I want to say that "yes, I am eligible for a refund of these fees", but after googling certain keywords I can't seem to find a specific answer to my question. For some reason I seem to recall a form that could be filled out and sent in to request a refund for fees applied to return merchandise. But I also may just be totally out to lunch.

[pierrelebel]

Welcome to my world! 

[sylviebee]

I am not recommending that you do this, but you also have the option of sending it back to customs for reassessment.

I once received a return which was clearly marked "return" but they had charged import fees.

It was a used purse but the buyer only stated that it was a purse so I had also been charged duty in addition to taxes and handling fees.

I  had to provide paperwork which proved that I had sold it to the buyer and also that it wasn't a new purse.

Eventually the package was delivered with no added fees but it took way too long.

[pjcdn2005]

Unless an item is classified as an antique I'm sure that used items can be charged duty so the word used wouldn't have helped.

I would just pay the fees and then put in a customs claim.  I would rather have the item in hand when I refund the buyer rather than refund while the item was being assessed again.  

[momcqueen]

That's right, used merchandise is not duty-free. (Or so I was told at the border by CCRA about a year ago.)

Is an antique duty-free?

[reallynicestamps]

And used, new or antique, there still would be sales tax .

[dinomitesales]

Yes, sending it back for a reassessment is an option, but it can take quite a long time.

Canada Post recommends the best course of action is to just pay the customs fees, then file for a refund with CBSA if you feel you were incorrectly charged duty. That way you have the item in your possession and can enjoy it while waiting for your refund.

[pjcdn2005]

I'm not certan of the  exact rules but I believe that antiqued over 100 yrs old are duty free.  

[femmefan1946]

Seems to be 100 years-- although some 'cultural property' cannot be imported at all.

This is from Pitney Bowes, if you are willing to trust them...

http://www.dutycalculator.com/dc/185895232/antiques-collectibles/antiques-over-100-years-old/antique...