c!~~_7.JPG "kalvin@ebay.com"){kind=avatar}
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Do you have questions about the Global Shipping Program? Please post here & I'll do my best to track those answers down for you!
If you have any comments about the program, use this forum instead.
Thanks,
"Just so everyone knows, in Canada you do not pay duty on any item valued at under $60."
Maybe you should have a discussion with the federal government. The law states $20, not $60 (except for imports that you bring personally if you cross the border, then the exemption is $200, but that is a different story)
From the government of Canada website: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/duty-droits-eng.html
This link has already been offered in several posts earlier on this long thread.
Now, that is the law. In practice, several shipments valued at less than $100 may be waived through by Canada Customs without taxes being levied. However, if a Customs inspector decides to charge tax on a $21 shipment... the importer (buyer) has no choice but to pay the tax and the flat $9.95 service charge levied by Canada Post.
On the other hand, when imports come through couriers (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc...) or forwarders (Pitney-Bowes and many others) they are obligated by their bond to charge taxes (and duty if applicable) as per schedule. They have no flexibility. They would lose their rights to clear goods through Canada Customs if they did not obey the law.
eBay has advised American sellers not to use GSP for transactions averaging $50 or less. Unfortunately, looking at most eBay search results, the majority of American sellers do not pay attention and use GSP when not appropriate to do so.
"Ebay is currently losing money"
You may want to check the most recent financial results published by eBay last week. Their profits are still going up despite the many problems they face.
My comment above is NOT an endorsement of GSP. Far from it.
I believe GSP is flawed. From the beginning I have blamed eBay for not educating American sellers properly on the proper use of the program and its consequences on foreign buyers.
eBay has made no effort - and they could if they wanted to - to prevent sellers from listing low priced items where GSP is not appropriate for the buyer.
Yes, there is a need for GSP for some American sellers in some circumstances. However, that is not the way eBay implemented it.
Some improvement has been made by allowing American sellers to exempt some countries (Canada for example) from the program but most sellers are not aware they could do that or why they should.
All sellers can think about is making additional sales - outside their country - without having to worry about Customs paperwork and without risk to their DSRs --- and all that at no cost whatsoever to themselves since all additional costs are paid by the foreign buyers.
"As per the people at the post office it's 60 dollars, not 20."
Please take a good look at the official Government of Canada website:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/duty-droits-eng.html
The exemption is $20.00 (except for "gifts" where it is $60)
For readers who do not wish to click on the Canadian Government website link above, here is what it states:
Under the provisions of the Postal Imports Remission Order, if someone mails you an item worth CAN$20 or less, you don’t have to pay duty or taxes on the item.
If the item is worth more than CAN$20, you must pay the applicable duty, the GST or HST, and any PST on the item’s full value.
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