Greetings:

The purpose of this info is to make some points clear to shippers of items from The USA into Canada, which some of you may not be aware of.


oldtrout 

PARCEL POST TO CANADA


This is just a little insight on shipments to Canada via USPS. See below re UPS.

The amounts allowed on items sent to Canada are a lot lower than items going to the USA. 

On items coming into Canada, Duty and taxes have to be paid on items that are in excess of: 

>>>>>>>Commercial shipments Can$20.00 or US$13.55 

>>>>>>>Gifts Can$60.00 or US$ 40.66 

Please note: The Customs people convert the value into CDN$, this means that if we buy an item for US$10.00 the value placed on it by Canada Customs is CDN$14.75, so please, whether you are sending the parcel as a gift or commercial do not add the cost of shipping to the value.

ALL items shipped must have the USPS form # 2976 attached to it. 

See:  https://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/#

Most shippers will mark the form "Gift" and shown an amount of less than US$40.00, this saves us money. The government has enough already. :)

Of course do not include an invoice in the shipment. Duh!

Some shippers even include a note or card wishing "Uncle Bob" or "Aunt Mae" a Happy Birthday.

The very first item I bought on eBay came from CA and the lady enclosed a beautiful home made birthday card, which I still have. :)

I have NEVER had a parcel opened by the Canada Customs that was marked "Gift", and I have been told by a friend that is a Custom Officer that when they do open a parcel unles the item is obviously worth a great deal more than the $US40.00 it goes through, without question. Items such as a hard drive are no problem as the price can vary so much and the Custom Officers doesn't have time to question the actual value.

On the other hand if a diamond ring was to be sent with a tag attached stating "This ring has a geniune 1 ct. Diamond", then of course the officer would question that.

I rest my case!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WHY NOT TO USE UPS & FedEX

No matter what the $  value of the item is UPS & FedEX charge the recipient in Canada very large "handling" and "brokerage" fees. These charges are added on even if the item qualifies to enter Canada duty free.

Just how much these charges can be? Well I have seen an article that was bought that cost $US 19.98, that was a gift and as such no duty was payable for that amount, and the charges by UPS were CDN$52.17 which had to be paid before delivery.

This is why Canadians do not want shipments being sent by UPS & FedEX. I am sure you can see the reasoning for this.

As with shipments by USPS:

Please note: The Customs people convert the value into CDN$, this means that if we buy an item for US$10.00 the value placed on it by Canada Customs is CDN$14.75, so please, whether you are sending the parcel as a gift or commercial do not add the cost of shipping to the value.