eBay

worldwandering · ‎03-21-2013

The item was $25, and $25 United States Postal Service - Priority Mail International for a total of $52 something. Should I be on the safe side?

There is no reasoning with the unreasonable.

worldwandering · ‎03-21-2013

I mean, should I expect duties?

There is no reasoning with the unreasonable.

brandeentertainment · ‎03-21-2013

UPS or USPS ..

femmefan1946 · ‎03-21-2013

Depends.

Technically, you owe sales tax and a service fee ($9.95 to Canada Post, $25 or more for a courier) plus any duty that might be assessed on the item price. Nothing on the postage.

However, small low cost items often slip by Canada Post.

If it is coming by courier, expect to pay every possible penny they can squeeze.

productaxi · ‎03-21-2013

It coming by USPS - Priority Mail International as stated from their shipping options. It was nice to have both!

Sent from my Ipod Shuffle

i*m-still-here · ‎03-21-2013

I have NEVER paid duty on an item with a price that low........ out of hundreds of items.

Apparently some cities are more exacting than others are though.

However, you've paid for an upgraded method of shipping so there's a teeny tiny chance.

Must be a heavy or very special item......... that's a lot to pay for an item you bought for $25... :).

productaxi · ‎03-21-2013

It's a small board for a plasma TV. I mentioned the shipping cost to them on their facebook page and they gave me a 15 percent discount and assured me they weren't padding their shipping costs. The thing was free shipping anywhere in the USA or $5 2 day Ground USA! HOSED!

Still beats the $100 dollars the guy wanted locally, and the dealer price of $125 in Toronta.

Sent from my Ipod Shuffle

pierrelebel · ‎03-21-2013

Shipments coming from USPS are transferred to Canada Customs and then Canada Post for delivery.

Different buyers (importers) have different experiences with Customs charges (basically GST/HST) and brokerage fee.

The rules (the law) can be found here:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/duty-droits-eng.html#c1

Basically, if the value exceeds Cdn$20, taxes (GST/HST/PST depending on your province) have to be paid together with a $9.95 brokerage fee charged by Canada Post.

However, many parcels are known to go through Canada Customs without any tax being levied.

Personally, my experience (I am an old man) has been one parcel in two gets taxed while one goes through. Others have different experiences. I do not know if it has to do with their location (city, province).

Count on having to pay the tax and brokerage and, of you do not, smile as you got a freebie!

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎03-30-2013

I haven't been charged any import tax (knock wood) since 2009, and I import something around $10~$50 on a monthly basis. I actually bought something that costed around $160 CAD to celebrate passing my credential exam and I was expecting to get dinged by customs and I didn't... Of course I'm happy about that. Even the times when customs did open my parcels, they don't ding me the import tax either. (Though I'd really appreciate it if they could repackage properly, as sometimes I end up with books with folded covers as a result of customs inspection.)

2011limey1 · ‎03-31-2013

Oh, I hope Customs people don't read this!!:^O I know all the rules - "You don't have to pay duties and taxes if your mail order item is: A gift worth $60 or less; or worth $20. I always order USPS and for some reason never have had to pay duty. One time (when I was a newbie) I ordered a certain watch (MK watches are my only vice!) which I couldn't find in Canada from the States which was the most I've ever paid on ebay - apx. $260.00 and still didn't pay duty. Now I've found a Cdn. seller for watches......just in case. I order some vitamins and beauty products from a fantastic site in the states all the time, SO much cheaper than in my local health food store with only $5.99 shipping! But yes, I'm always thinking if it's over the limit that I might get dinged.;-)