Yeah I also got it on one of my buying id's.
I like the part about "sign the letter if you agree" with nothing mentioned about how to proceed if you don't agree! How about some contact information for Ms Stairs?
Now let me explain why I am not going to sign this letter.
I certainly understand that nobody enjoys paying duties or taxes when they purchase goods, it doesn't matter if these goods are imported, made in Canada from imported materials or wholly made in Canada (where no import duty would be involved).
That said, goods imported by Canadian businesses to be sold in Canada are subject to import duties (if applicable) from Dollar one, I do not see any justification for allowing one group of importers (consumers) to be exempt from import duties while even the smallest business importer is subject to import duties. If this was to be enacted fairly the exemption amount should be equal for both casual consumer imports and commercial imports. I'm not sure eBay is calling for an increase in exemptions for ALL importers, it would seem their concerns are strictly related to imports by individuals.
On the subject of GST/HST, this is a domestic tax which is broadly applied to goods and services regardless if the purchaser is an individual or a business, regardless if the goods are of domestic or imported origin. I see no justification to exempt certain goods not because the goods themselves should be exempt such as is the case with food, financial services and a few other very limited situations but rather because they were imported by an end user. Not only is this unfair to domestic retailers, putting them at a competitive disadvantage, it reduces government revenues and that reduction will have to be made up by ALL Canadian regardless if they take advantage of this exemption or not.
One aspect of this topic that I might be able to support is that the Federal Government should set a free import limit which is at a level where the cost of collection (for government AND importers) of taxes on imported goods does not exceed the amount of taxes collected. No doubt this is an amount higher than the current CA$20 level especially if one considers the very high minimum "user fee" imposed by Canada Post to collect these taxes on behalf of the CBSA. To be fair I would only support this if the limit at whatever level it was set was applied in a consistent manner. The current situation where front line officers of the CBSA use their own discretion as to which shipments are taxed and which are not is unfair. It leads to many cases where a shipment of modest value is taxed while the next shipment of much greater value is allowed to pass untaxed. The current situation in that regard is like allowing Canadian businesses to randomly exempt customers from GST/HST at the cash register.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing it would clearly be a good move politically (at a small scale) if the current government increased the de minimis threshold. Look for an announcement about 6 months prior to the next election, no point in wasting brownie points with almost 3 years to go!
@i.am.vivian wrote:It's their beloved GSP they want to make more acceptable and entice more Canadian buyers to use eBay for online shopping.
Well actually if the free limit was raised GSP would work pretty good for many more things. It's not the actual shipping portion of the charges (unless it's a very light item) what actually irks Canadian buyers is that they have to pay the taxes, there is no 50/50 (or whatever) odds it will be let through free.
I have to add, It certainly makes sense for eBay to lobby for this, Ms Stairs is charged with increasing transactions made on eBay by Canadians, for that number it's not relevant if those sales comes from Canadian sellers or International sellers.
It sure won't help Chinese sellers because they only ship items declared at $10 or less 
@i.am.vivian wrote:
That's right, so I looked it up. When I see the differences they are now using to get the signatures they want, (I guess the earlier version did not yield the flurry of enthusiasm they expected) it convinces me all the more that it is shifty, self-seeking, and not likely to be good for Canada.
http://community.ebay.ca/t5/Seller-Central/eBay-letter-for-reducing-import-charges/m-p/360408
I never read the earlier letter, I like this part "make it difficult for eBay users to buy and sell internationally".
How do de minimis limits affect Canadian users ability to SELL internationally? Wouldn't it be better to ask US sellers to support their efforts?
You're just trying to increase your revenue.
Imagine that, a for profit company trying to make a profit...shame on them!
@sylviebee wrote:
I'd also like to point out that the US currently has a de minims of about $800 but in time that might be lowered. I know I'm not the only one watching The Trump Circus, but if he's successful that show might trickle down to our level. I mean really: How does having an $800 limit benefit the American economy?
The only way, I would think, would be if the US, like Canada, found it cost more to process the paperwork and do the collecting than what they ever collected. Maybe they found that $800 seemed to be the magic number, above which it would be justifiable but below that, too expensive to do. It's why I wonder if Canada will change our limit to about $100, if they are using that amount "unofficially" anyway. I don't know and haven't heard if Canada is looking seriously at making a change or if it just eBay hollering to get Canada to change it to benefit eBay.
@sylviebee wrote:I find the way that eBay is trying to barge into this political question offensive and threatening. No doubt they'll get the signatures they're after because buyers will simply see that it's a way to pay less for something (anything) and they'll jump right on it.
The petition either shows how out of touch eBay is with what goes on at our level and/or eBay is looking out for eBay without no regard for "us". Of course that makes sense, but when they try to change our laws it feels intrusive and not quite right because eBay has a lot of power.
recped posted above: ""The current situation where front line officers of the CBSA use their own discretion as to which shipments are taxed and which are not is unfair. It leads to many cases where a shipment of modest value is taxed while the next shipment of much greater value is allowed to pass untaxed. The current situation in that regard is like allowing Canadian businesses to randomly exempt customers from GST/HST at the cash register."""
That practice of randomly collecting taxes makes it impossible to respond to this issue intelligently.
Also, mj and others have pointed out that eBay is simply trying to get a boost for for the GSP and that's right on.
However, that also misses the point and shows how out of touch eBay is with the real world. About a year ago the GSP simply stopped collecting import taxes.
I've done the math over and over and GSP charges simply do not add up.
I've been using the GSP regularly now because when sellers ship for free, the cost of shipping is usually within a dollar of two of First Class International shipping costs.
Not quite sure why more aren't questionning what's up with that?
I'd also like to point out that the US currently has a de minims of about $800 but in time that might be lowered. I know I'm not the only one watching The Trump Circus, but if he's successful that show might trickle down to our level. I mean really: How does having an $800 limit benefit the American economy?
I've not seen any evidence of that whatsoever. Could you give me an example of a listing where the shipping and "import charges" appear to be lower than they should?
Featured Posts
