Actually it's very easy and I have witnessed countless customs officers handholding casual importers.
I cleared my own weekly shipments through Pearson for over 20 years. A small amount of research and computer skills suffient to list an item on eBay are all you need.
That being said you can probably get a broker to do it for a pretty reasonable fee depending on the level of "disbursements" (gst/duty paid on your behalf), this could be quite a bit especially as the broker will want cash before you get the customs release and delivery. Of course you'll have to pay customs on the spot as well.
You can get all the info you need here:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/formspubs/topics/imp_comm_goods-e.html
If you have any specific questions just post 'em.
Ben
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915
I cleared my own weekly shipments through Pearson for over 20 years. A small amount of research and computer skills suffient to list an item on eBay are all you need.
That being said you can probably get a broker to do it for a pretty reasonable fee depending on the level of "disbursements" (gst/duty paid on your behalf), this could be quite a bit especially as the broker will want cash before you get the customs release and delivery. Of course you'll have to pay customs on the spot as well.
You can get all the info you need here:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/formspubs/topics/imp_comm_goods-e.html
If you have any specific questions just post 'em.
Ben
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915
Just had a look at your listings....if you're importing those "supplements" or whatever you want to call them...
Get a broker!
It could get complicated
Ben
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915
Get a broker!
It could get complicated
Ben
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915
Border crossings are a bit of a different story......
Yes customs policy is to only assist commercial importers during their first importation. I don't see anything wrong with this, it's COMMERCIAL, as a taxpayer I don't see why I should contribute to the bottom line of some private business who is unwilling to either do it themselves or hire a broker/agent to do it for them. They can recoup the expenses when selling the product they are importing, if I buy one of their widgets I'll be paying a share. If I'm not interested in their widget I don't want to subsidize their business.
As for brokers (or agents or "representatives") customs or otherwise it's an occupation close to a parasite pretty much like PayPal or eBay, they take a cut off the top without seeming to do much of anything.
I have time on my hands so a trip across Toronto and a couple of hours at customs is no problem but there are quite a few who wouldn't mind paying 30 bucks to have someone take care of it for them even if it only takes them 5 minutes.
I got to know lots of brokers when I was a regular importer, the good ones made a decent living and in the Air Freight end of things the hours and pressure can be intense. I've also known lazy slobs who had no idea what they were doing, not much different than any service sector business.
Ben
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915
Yes customs policy is to only assist commercial importers during their first importation. I don't see anything wrong with this, it's COMMERCIAL, as a taxpayer I don't see why I should contribute to the bottom line of some private business who is unwilling to either do it themselves or hire a broker/agent to do it for them. They can recoup the expenses when selling the product they are importing, if I buy one of their widgets I'll be paying a share. If I'm not interested in their widget I don't want to subsidize their business.
As for brokers (or agents or "representatives") customs or otherwise it's an occupation close to a parasite pretty much like PayPal or eBay, they take a cut off the top without seeming to do much of anything.
I have time on my hands so a trip across Toronto and a couple of hours at customs is no problem but there are quite a few who wouldn't mind paying 30 bucks to have someone take care of it for them even if it only takes them 5 minutes.
I got to know lots of brokers when I was a regular importer, the good ones made a decent living and in the Air Freight end of things the hours and pressure can be intense. I've also known lazy slobs who had no idea what they were doing, not much different than any service sector business.
Ben
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915
Talk about BIG PROFITS !!!
I used to sell one of my widgets consitently for $25 but after a few years the price has fallen to less than $10 and now they don't even seel that often....
There goes my BIG profits.
I don't want to give the impression I'm a big friend of customs brokers, if I was I would not have done all my own customs work. I just find it funny that eBay sellers who generally try to get the highest possible price for their product are very quick to slam someone else who is doing the same thing. If you're a "good" shopper you can get a "good" price it works the same with customs brokers as it does when buying on eBay.
Some sellers get all hot and bothered when a buyer makes a lowball offer but they would not hesitate to do the same as in your example. For better or worse "haggling" which had to a certain extent had vanished as a common practise in North America (a corporate conspiracy no doubt) is making a comeback, this is no more clearly demonstrated when it comes to money (lending/borrowing).... we are all advised now to negotiate a lower mortgage rate from the listing rate and if you want to buy a GIC just ask for a better interest rate and it's yours, those that have the nerve and skills get a better deal than those that just accept what's given to them.
Back to clearing your shipment....it will be easy, in fact the most difficult part might be finding customs out at Pearson (it's now out in the middle of the runways with obscure access off of Dixie). The Frieght company will call you, you oick up the manifest (cargo control document) from them. You'll need that tariff number, your (gst) business number and copies of the commercial invoices for the shipment. Shouldn't take more than an hour unless they want to actually inspect the goods (rare) and you can pay the duty/tax by cash, credit card or company cheque (there's a limit for cheques but it's probably well above what you'll need). Once you have the Customs Release you just go to whatever warehouse your goods are in and pick up your stuff.
Call a broker and ask him... he will tell you that they must help you!
Wouldn't do that, the broker will tell you it's very complex and you NEED his help (for a fee of course), they work pretty much like an eBay Trading Assitant....."I can sell this on eBay for you, you could do it yourself but it's so very very complicated".
Ben
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915
I used to sell one of my widgets consitently for $25 but after a few years the price has fallen to less than $10 and now they don't even seel that often....
There goes my BIG profits.
I don't want to give the impression I'm a big friend of customs brokers, if I was I would not have done all my own customs work. I just find it funny that eBay sellers who generally try to get the highest possible price for their product are very quick to slam someone else who is doing the same thing. If you're a "good" shopper you can get a "good" price it works the same with customs brokers as it does when buying on eBay.
Some sellers get all hot and bothered when a buyer makes a lowball offer but they would not hesitate to do the same as in your example. For better or worse "haggling" which had to a certain extent had vanished as a common practise in North America (a corporate conspiracy no doubt) is making a comeback, this is no more clearly demonstrated when it comes to money (lending/borrowing).... we are all advised now to negotiate a lower mortgage rate from the listing rate and if you want to buy a GIC just ask for a better interest rate and it's yours, those that have the nerve and skills get a better deal than those that just accept what's given to them.
Back to clearing your shipment....it will be easy, in fact the most difficult part might be finding customs out at Pearson (it's now out in the middle of the runways with obscure access off of Dixie). The Frieght company will call you, you oick up the manifest (cargo control document) from them. You'll need that tariff number, your (gst) business number and copies of the commercial invoices for the shipment. Shouldn't take more than an hour unless they want to actually inspect the goods (rare) and you can pay the duty/tax by cash, credit card or company cheque (there's a limit for cheques but it's probably well above what you'll need). Once you have the Customs Release you just go to whatever warehouse your goods are in and pick up your stuff.
Call a broker and ask him... he will tell you that they must help you!
Wouldn't do that, the broker will tell you it's very complex and you NEED his help (for a fee of course), they work pretty much like an eBay Trading Assitant....."I can sell this on eBay for you, you could do it yourself but it's so very very complicated".
Ben
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915
