how do i know if I'll have to pay customs duties on an item I buy?

Since the Global Shipping thing is not available in Canada, how do i know if I'll have to pay customs duties on an item I buy (say from China, India, etc.)?

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how do i know if I'll have to pay customs duties on an item I buy?

Canadians are liable for taxes (GST/HST) and any applicable duties on items worth $20.00 and over that are imported by mail or courier.  When handled by Canada Post, there is a $9.95 charge for their work in collecting the fees.  When delivered by other carriers, the fee will be considerably higher.  Other carriers (couriers like DHL, Fedex, UPS, etc) are required to assess these fees on each and every package they clear into Canada.  When items come by post, it is hit and miss - mostly miss until the value is over $100 (and often higher) or unless the package is large.

 

When buying from China, India, etc, be aware there are higher numbers of fraudulent sellers in these and several other countries than you are used to in Canada.  You are protected by eBay and PayPal, and you should familiarize yourself with all the rules before buying.  Pay particular attention to the time limits for filing a claim, and the requirement to return goods not as described by a method that confirms delivery - these types of shipping services are expensive, most of the time costing more than the unsatisfactory item you received.  This often leads to buyers abandoning their protection and absorbing the loss.  eBay cannot force the seller to forward you money for the return if it is going out of Canada.  Most experienced buyers read the feedback carefully, and don't buy anything on which they are not prepared to absorb a loss.

 

Items entirely manufactured in countries that have Free Trade Agreements with Canada are exempt from duties, but not taxes.

 

Here is a link to the CBSA Duties & Taxes Estimator:

 

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html

 

The following links may be useful, the 2nd & 3rd more for the USA, the 4th one has a universal calculator.  I don't know how accurate it is.

 

http://www.freeshipping.ca/blog/the-ins-and-outs-of-shopping-online-in-canada/

 

https://www.crossbordershopping.ca/calculators/canadian-duty-calculator

 

http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/clearing-customs/canadian-duties/#.VyD32D_...

 

Return to the Boards any time with questions.

 

Good luck, and happy (trouble-free) shopping!

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how do i know if I'll have to pay customs duties on an item I buy?

Assume you will pay SALES TAX and a $9.95 Canada Post service fee on any import you pay $20CDN (about $15USD) for. Duty is usually less than either of these.

 

But most small or inexpensive items are not assessed, because the public servants at CBSA are smart enough to realize that collecting the import fees on low value items costs the taxpayer more than can be collected.

 

The bigger problem with buying from overseas is that, if the item is not as described, you will have to pay to return it for a refund. Since return postage with Confirmation of Delivery will cost you over $40, decide whether or not you will be satisfied with tossing out the unwanted item.

 

And if the item is not delivered within 30 days of payment, be ready to open an Item Not Received Dispute and get refunded. Never accept an offer of a replacement. It won't arrive either.

 

All that being said, most transactions, go smoothly and there are millions of transactions every day on eBay.

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how do i know if I'll have to pay customs duties on an item I buy?

Canadians are liable for taxes (GST/HST) and any applicable duties on items worth $20.00 and over that are imported by mail or courier.  When handled by Canada Post, there is a $9.95 charge for their work in collecting the fees.  When delivered by other carriers, the fee will be considerably higher.  Other carriers (couriers like DHL, Fedex, UPS, etc) are required to assess these fees on each and every package they clear into Canada.  When items come by post, it is hit and miss - mostly miss until the value is over $100 (and often higher) or unless the package is large.

 

When buying from China, India, etc, be aware there are higher numbers of fraudulent sellers in these and several other countries than you are used to in Canada.  You are protected by eBay and PayPal, and you should familiarize yourself with all the rules before buying.  Pay particular attention to the time limits for filing a claim, and the requirement to return goods not as described by a method that confirms delivery - these types of shipping services are expensive, most of the time costing more than the unsatisfactory item you received.  This often leads to buyers abandoning their protection and absorbing the loss.  eBay cannot force the seller to forward you money for the return if it is going out of Canada.  Most experienced buyers read the feedback carefully, and don't buy anything on which they are not prepared to absorb a loss.

 

Items entirely manufactured in countries that have Free Trade Agreements with Canada are exempt from duties, but not taxes.

 

Here is a link to the CBSA Duties & Taxes Estimator:

 

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html

 

The following links may be useful, the 2nd & 3rd more for the USA, the 4th one has a universal calculator.  I don't know how accurate it is.

 

http://www.freeshipping.ca/blog/the-ins-and-outs-of-shopping-online-in-canada/

 

https://www.crossbordershopping.ca/calculators/canadian-duty-calculator

 

http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/clearing-customs/canadian-duties/#.VyD32D_...

 

Return to the Boards any time with questions.

 

Good luck, and happy (trouble-free) shopping!

Message 2 of 5
latest reply

how do i know if I'll have to pay customs duties on an item I buy?

Assume you will pay SALES TAX and a $9.95 Canada Post service fee on any import you pay $20CDN (about $15USD) for. Duty is usually less than either of these.

 

But most small or inexpensive items are not assessed, because the public servants at CBSA are smart enough to realize that collecting the import fees on low value items costs the taxpayer more than can be collected.

 

The bigger problem with buying from overseas is that, if the item is not as described, you will have to pay to return it for a refund. Since return postage with Confirmation of Delivery will cost you over $40, decide whether or not you will be satisfied with tossing out the unwanted item.

 

And if the item is not delivered within 30 days of payment, be ready to open an Item Not Received Dispute and get refunded. Never accept an offer of a replacement. It won't arrive either.

 

All that being said, most transactions, go smoothly and there are millions of transactions every day on eBay.

Message 3 of 5
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how do i know if I'll have to pay customs duties on an item I buy?

Thanks you very much for the detailed answer and the proper links to customs. You saved me lots of time.
Message 4 of 5
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how do i know if I'll have to pay customs duties on an item I buy?

Thanks you very much for that info. It is clearer now!
Message 5 of 5
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