DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

xen999
Community Member

So I purchased some items from a seller in the US for the whopping sum of 54.15 CAD plus 24.53 USD for shipping through EIS. The parcel goes to the hub, hangs there for more than a week as per usual..., then finally gets moving again through DHL and is on its way to me in QC. Today, I receive an email from DHL charging me 12.70 CAD for fees and taxes... What the hell is this?? I thought EIS charged everything in order to get to you internationally, so why is DHL now asking for me for more?? Why is it the more I use eBay the more I feel robbed? I *NEVER* know how much I'm going to end up spending and it's always more than I think, it's incredibly frustrating.

Message 1 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

Buyers should always be aware of the possibility of additional charges by DHL/UPS/Fedex as there never is any guarantee that what appears to be really is/actually is, dependent upon the nature of the goods and the value of the goods...

 

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/support/articles/customs-requirements/customs-duty-tax...

 

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/personal-personnel/postal-postale-eng.html

Message 2 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

Still, aren't we supposed to be allow 800 CAD without taxe from the US?? It's plastic toys...

Message 3 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

marnotom!
Community Member
Did you pay taxes for the item at Checkout, @xen999?

The old Global Shipping Program had a line for “import charges” which included estimated charges for taxes and sundry customs-related charges. The new eBay International Shipping scheme may give you the option of paying taxes and duty at checkout, it may not. You have to go through the listing carefully to find out how this is being accomplished.

If you’re using the app to do your buying on eBay, this information may not be there to tease out. Do you feel comfortable sharing a link to the listing so we can take a look at it?
Message 4 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

Brokerage fee....DHL, UPS,etc. charge brokerage fees....

 

Any item mailed to Canada may be subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and/or duty. Unless specifically exempted, you must pay the 5% GST on items you import into Canada by mail.

 

Most goods valued under C$150 can be imported duty-free but are subject to federal and provincial taxes.

Message 5 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH


@xen999 wrote:

Still, aren't we supposed to be allow 800 CAD without taxe from the US?? It's plastic toys...


I think you’re thinking of the duty-free limit Americans have on casual imports sent by mail or courier, @xen999 .  The tax-free limit for Canadians for similar casual imports is either C$20 or C$40 depending on the carrier and exporting country involved.

Message 6 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

Message 7 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

and if you check the shipping page of that listing for details of shipping to Canada you will see the statement: "Authorities may apply import charges upon delivery"

Message 8 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

aren't we supposed to be allow 800 CAD without taxe from the US?

No.

US residents have a duty free allowance of $800USD.

We have a $150Cdn duty free and $40Cdn tax free allowance on imports of US made goods.

 

I believe that foreign made (but US purchased) imports are still at the old $20Cdn for both duty and taxes.

I would love to have than confirmed.

In addition, that $150/$40 is only for the US.

Other nations and treaties have different numbers.

 

Plastic toys are usually made in Asia. We have no free trade treaties with China, although we do with some other Pacific Rim countries.

 

I thought EIS charged everything in order to get to you internationally, so why is DHL now asking for me for more?

Not all sellers are bright enough to have import fees charged before shipping.

It was that inclusion that made many think that the GSP was outrageously expensive, since they were charging import fees plus shipping.

The complainers did not realize that import fees could be charged at their doorstep instead.

 

I agree that leaving the Last Mile delivery to couriers means high "brokerage" charges that could have been paid earlier at a lower cost.

Message 9 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

My favourite dinosaur is the stegosaurus.  What's yours?

Message 10 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH


@xen999 wrote:

Here's the link: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/276504993591


Thanks, @xen999.  I checked the listing on the desktop version of eBay as well as the mobile version, and the app and all three have that note about possible import charges that @mrdutch1001 mentioned in their post.

 

Assuming you only have to pay 5% GST on your purchases, the math used makes sense.  5% GST on $54.15 is $2.70.  Add a ten dollar processing charge and you get the $12.70 that DHL came up with.  That's only five cents more than what you'd have to pay Canada Post if your item was shipped directly by mail and Canada Border Services assessed and charged you tax on the shipment.  So there's that.

 

I'm still not clear on whether you paid that $2.70 at Checkout as well, though, and you were double-charged as a result.  Anyway, kudos to you for arranging a combined shipment with the seller.  That was pretty smart.

Message 11 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

"5% GST on $54.15 is $2.70. Add a ten dollar processing charge and you get the $12.70 that DHL came up with."

 

Yes, it would appear to be what DHL calculated, still, I've never paid taxes for such a low amount in nearly 20 years of using eBay.

 

"Anyway, kudos to you for arranging a combined shipment with the seller. That was pretty smart."

It's pretty much the only way to get proper combined shipping these days...

Message 12 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH


@reallynicestamps wrote:

My favourite dinosaur is the stegosaurus.  What's yours?


Ceratopsian

Message 13 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

"Not all sellers are bright enough to have import fees charged before shipping."

-----

 

Sellers do not decide whether import  fees are  charged.  They have no input into that.

Message 14 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH


@xen999 wrote:

@reallynicestamps wrote:

My favourite dinosaur is the stegosaurus.  What's yours?


Ceratopsian


eBayWhackaMolian....I believe they were plant eaters that only came out of hiding during meteor showers?!?

Message 15 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH


@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

@xen999 wrote:

@reallynicestamps wrote:

My favourite dinosaur is the stegosaurus.  What's yours?


Ceratopsian


eBayWhackaMolian....I believe they were plant eaters that only came out of hiding during meteor showers?!?


Correct about them being plant eaters not so much the second part, lol. It's a dinosaur familly to which the Triceratops belongs to - too many that I like to name just one... Styracosaurus, Pentaceratops, Nasutoceratops, Diabloceratops, Einiosaurus...

Message 16 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

Sales tax is a worldwide THING, almost...

 

https://www.globalvatcompliance.com/globalvatnews/world-countries-vat-rates-2020/

 

TAX on TAX on TAX on TAX makes the world go around, the world go around...

 

CountryStandard VAT/GST RateReduced Rates
AlgeriaThe standard sales tax (VAT) rate is 19%.A reduced rate of 9% applies to certain industries
Antigua and BarbudaNo VAT tax but standard sales tax is set at 15%Reduced rate of 14%
AndorraThe standard rate is 4.5%, although a higher rate of 9.5% applies to banking and financial services.Αndorra has three additional IGI rates: A reduced rate of 1%, a special rate of 2.5%
ArgentinaThe standard VAT rate is 21%. (enhanced rate of 27% for several metered utilities)Reduced rate of 10.5%
ArmeniaThe standard VAT rate is 20%. 
ArubaThere is no VAT as such in Aruba, although there have been calls from the International Monetary Fund for the introduction of such a levy. (A combined rate “GST” can be considered to be at 7%) 
AustraliaAustralia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) which is equivalent to a VAT. The standard GST rate is 10%. 
AzerbaijanThe standard VAT rate is 18%. 
BahamasStandard VAT rate of 10% 
BahrainFrom January 1, 2022, the standard VAT rate is 10%. 
BangladeshThe standard VAT rate is 15%.10%, 7.5%, 5%, 2,4%, 2%
BarbadosThe standard VAT rate is 17.5% (Super rate of 22% mobile voice & text services)A reduced rate of 10% applies to the provision of hotel accommodation
BelizeThere is no value-added tax as such. Belize instead introduced a General Sales Tax in January 2006, which applies to a wide range of goods and services at a 12.5% rate. 
BermudaThere is no VAT in Bermuda. 
BoliviaThe standard VAT (IVA) rate is 13% under Article 15 of the VAT Law 
BotswanaSince April 2023 the standard VAT rate is 14% 
BrazilBrazil imposes a state tax equivalent to VAT (ICMS) This rate is imposed by each state and is subject to a limit set by the federal senate. The rates can vary in the states from 17% to 18% (Rio de Janeiro has 20% as an exception). and the highest rate can typically reach 25%.7%
British Virgin IslandsThere is no VAT in the British Virgin Islands. 
BruneiThere is no VAT in Brunei. 
BulgariaThe standard VAT rate is 20%.A reduced VAT rate of 10% applies to hotel accommodation and the tourism sector
CanadaThe standard federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate is 5% 
Cayman IslandsThere is no VAT in the Cayman Islands. 
ChileThe standard VAT rate is 19%. 
ChinaThe standard VAT rate is 13%, 9%, 6%Reduced rates of 5%, 2%, 3%, 1.5% and 0.5%.
ColombiaThe standard VAT (IVA – Impuesto sobre las Ventas) rate is 19%5%
Cook IslandsThe standard VAT rate is 15%, 
Costa RicaThe standard VAT rate is 13%, the same rate as the sales tax.4%,  2%, 1%
CuraçaoThere is no VAT in Curaçao. (Sales tax is 6% with enchanced rates of 7& and 9%) 
UAEVAT is charged at 5% in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 
EcuadorThe standard VAT rate is 15% 
EgyptThe VAT rate is 14%5%
El SalvadorThe standard VAT (IVA) rate is 13% 
Equatorial GuineaThe standard VAT rate is 15%6%
EthiopiaThe standard VAT rate is 15% 
Faroe IslandsThe standard VAT rate is 25% 
GeorgiaThe standard VAT rate is 18% 
GibraltarThere is no VAT in Gibraltar. 
GuatemalaThe standard VAT rate is 12% 
GuernseyThere is no VAT in Guernsey 
Hong KongThere is no VAT or sales tax in Hong Kong. 
IndiaThe primary rates of Indian GST are 0.25%, 1.5%, 3%, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% 
IndonesiaThe standard VAT rate is 11% 
IraqThere is no VAT in Iraq. (The standard sales tax ranges from 9% to 300% on alcohol & tobacco) 
Isle of ManThe standard rate of VAT is 20%5%
IsraelThe standard VAT rate is 17% 
JapanThe standard (Consumption Tax) rate is 10%8%
Jersey The standard Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate is 5%. 
KazakhstanThe standard rate of VAT is 12% 
South KoreaThe standard VAT rate is 10% 
KuwaitThere is no VAT in Kuwait 
LaosThe standard VAT rate is 10% 
LebanonThe standard VAT rate is 11% 
MalaysiaOn September 1, 2018, the Government of Malaysia replaced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) with a 10% Sales Tax (The standard rate of service tax is 8%)5% (Sales Tax)
MauritaniaThe standard VAT rate is 16% 
MauritiusThe standard VAT rate is 15% 
MexicoThe standard VAT rate is 16%8%
MoroccoThe standard VAT rate is 20%7% 10% 14%
New ZealandThe standard Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate is 15% 
NigeriaThe standard VAT rate is 7.5% 
Omanthe standard VAT rate in Oman is 5% 
PakistanPakistan does not have VAT. The standard sales tax rate is 18%Pakistan has a large number of reduced sales tax rates, including 1%, 2%, 5%, 10% and 12% (among others).
PanamaThe standard VAT rate in Panama is 7% and there are supplementary rates of 10% and 15% 
PeruThe standard VAT rate is 18%Effective September 1, 2022 until December 31, 2024, a 8% reduced rate will apply to micro and small suppliers of restaurant, hotel, and tourist accommodation services that receive at least 70% of their income from these supplies.
PhilippinesThe standard VAT rate is 12% 
Puerto RicoThe sales and use tax (SUT) rate is 11.5%1%
QatarThere is no VAT in Qatar 
RussiaThe standard VAT rate is 20%10%
Saudi ArabiaVAT is charged at 15% 
SamoaVAGST rate of 15% 
SingaporeThe standard Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate is 9% 
South AfricaThe standard VAT rate is 15% 
Sri LankaThe standard VAT rate is 18% 
TaiwanThe standard VAT rate is 5% 
TanzaniaThe standard VAT rate is 18% 
TajikistanThe standard VAT rate is 14%10%, 7%, 5%
ThailandThe standard VAT rate is 7% (Reduced from the standard 10% until 30 September 2024) 
TunisiaThe standard VAT rate is 19%7%, 13%
TurkeyThe standard VAT rate is 20%10%, 1%
Turks and CaicosThere is no VAT in Turks and Caicos 
UkraineThe standard VAT rate is currently 20%7%, 14%
UgandaThe standard VAT rate is 18% 
United KingdomThe standard VAT rate is 20%5%
UruguayThe standard VAT rate is 22%10%
USAThere is no VAT in the USA. U.S. state sales and use tax rates vary between 2.9% and 7.25%Reduced rates are offered for sales of specific products.
UzbekistanThe standard VAT rate is 12% 
VanuatuThe standard VAT rate is 15% 
VenezuelaThe standard VAT rate is 16%8%
VietnamThe standard VAT rate is 8%Reduced VAT 
Message 17 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

(Cut, Paste, Repeat as needed)

 

Then contact your local MP as it was your elected officials who put this in place, It has nothing to do with eBay...

 

If you already did not know & evidently you do NOT...

 

This TAX collection system was planned by your elected Canadian Government, not eBay!

 

It was in the 2021 Canadian Budget, you did read it right, as a voter you should always read what is going through the system in the pork rind, CBC and most mainstream media only tells you the "things" the GOV wants to be publicized...

 

Also, it applies to all "online marketplaces" Amazon, Etsy, and all others. 

 

Any marketplace "Facilitator" that makes over $30,000.00CDN in sales has no choice other than to charge and collect the tax, this is not an eBay thing, it's a Government thing, put in place by the people you elected and put into office...

 

If you have an issue you can contact your local MP.

 

BTW - This is actually a worldwide thing, the UK, USA, Australia, and a whole slew of others already have a similar tax and many more shortly will.

 

And, yes it applies to USED GOODS sold through a "marketplace facilitator"

 

And the TAXES you are paying are based on the entire amount of the transaction you conducted on eBay, that's the Goods & Services bit...

 

This is the same thing I post every time I see this USED TAX nonsense, the issue is not eBay it is YOU for not reading about what your government plans and not reading eBay policy about fees charged...

Message 18 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

My recent experience with shipping was Ebay using DHL logistics to have the parcel imported into Canada from the Ebay Glendale Heights’ hub, then using Canada Post as the last-mile shipper.

 

DHL also was attempting to charge me taxes and the $10 fee on a $35 item (while still in the US) but with the option to “defer fees that may be incurred upon delivery”. I took the chance that Canada Customs would wave it through being low value, and was correct – it was delivered without incurring any taxes or fees.

 

It did take five days longer, as DHL then rerouted it back to USPS, who then moved it into Canada. The tracking from the seller, to me, is such a long mess…

 

Message 19 of 31
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Re: DHL is charging me taxes?! WTH

The EIS is a confusing, complicated, expensive, cumbersome, slow and uneven service.   I have little doubt it is costing Ebay a lot in lost cross border sales.  I barely even look at listings from US sellers any longer, unless on rare occassion they ship directly with USPS.

Message 20 of 31
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