How much is brokerage and customs fees for imports from the UK to Canada?

[bettypuss]

Has anyone had experience with Canada customs fees and brokerage fees when importing into Canada from the UK?

[toby_le_pue]

It depends on what it is and where it is made and how much you paid and also how it is shipped.

Basically anything over $20,00 canadian is subject to HST or GST and Taxes depending on which province you live in.

[femmefan1946 · Accepted solution]

Most UK shippers realize that Royal Mail/Canada Post is the most efficient shipping method, so you won't run into the horrorshow that is UPS /courier shipping.

If the item is above $20 in addition to the sales tax, you will pay the postie $10 service fee.

Duty on your item can be researched at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/help-aide/faq1-eng.html#_s8

[bettypuss]

Thanks, Femmefan! That's exactly what I wanted to know.  🙂

[allquint81]

duties and taxes depends on the value of your imported goods. Duty depends on the type of product, what its made of, and what its intended use is. While tax is simply your provincial sales tax blended with federal(PST/HST). If you are a company however, only the federal portion (GST) will apply. 

Brokerage fees are generally charged on a sliding scale by your customs broker (or most likely in your case, by the brokerage arm of your courier company) but there are a few flat fee brokers (try saying that 3 times fast) out there like clearit ( www.clearit.ca ) who offer much more realistic service fees and can generally save you good money even on a UPS or FedEx package.

A good broker will also provide you with import permits (if required) for a small fee (~$15.00) and can be sure you are taking advantage of all tariff treaties and exemptions (saving you money)

All of this applies to imports coming from anywhere outside of Canada. for example, imports from UK-->>CAN is treated the same as USA-->>CAN or FRA-->>CAN.