If you're Canadian, and buying an eBay item from a US seller, be prepared to pay $25-$100 duties

[nyb_shop]

I live in Toronto, used to shop on eBay A LOT in the 2000s, stopped for 5-7 years. Never had to pay import duties, or brokerage charges back then. Recenty, I came back on eBay because I was interested in buying Sports Cards. Purchased two from a US seller (not his fault). DHL charged me $25 dollars and $33 dollars for "import/duty/brokerage" charges. I'm going to try to avoid buying from US sellers now unless the item is a super deal, as the import taxes are enormous, considering I already paid a huge shipping charge to the seller. What happened to free trade between Canada and USA? It's okay, lesson learned, buy from Canadian sellers ONLY....or JUST STAY ON AMAZON!

[fh991586]

---

@john_koenig99 wrote:

---

Carriers like DHL or FedEx, always want their pound of flesh, even if the duties are zero. Others like UniUni, Asendia or CP don't charge anything if the duties are nil.

---

Can you provide an example where a private carrier asked for a fee when there was no perception of taxes or duty? This is not suppose to happen, so I seriously doubt it.

[uniquegarage]

Can I ask, was it a bill you received from dHL after you got the item delivered? The reason I ask is because I ordered a few things from the states to Vancouver as long as 8 years ago, came through FedEx, and on a $800 microphone, which was delivered, no fees, I got a letter from FedEx a week later for $180. Since then it's happened everytime since. The thing is, even back then, from Ebay, as long as the seller just sent it USPS to Canada Post, I've never had to pay duties. I'm sure it might depend what it is, but last year was my last purchase from Ebay in the states. $100 Microphone, USPS to Canada Post, but not (GSP), and no fees or extra charges at all. I'm sure it could be different, and no idea how these tariffs, or Trump is affecting things, but since like 10 years ago I've always expected brokerage fees or duties unless it's been USPS to Canada Post. I think I'll do a small order soon just to see if that's the case still, but like I say, could depend on price and what it is, like I've heard duties can sometimes be random to, but anything courier, or GSP has always been extra fees for the most part, so I've always made sure to avoid GSP, or message the seller to ask if they can use USPS, because some people might just plan to use a courier, but when you ask them if they can just use USPS, they are usually pretty willing, especially if they want to sell thier listing. Just some food for thought.

[uniquegarage]

Well that's always been my experience with couriers, but don't ask me what they call it, whether it's duties, or service fees, but anytime in the last 10 years I've gotten anything from the US to Canada, and it's a courier, I actually have managed to always get the item delivered, or even pick it up at the courier, no charge, and then I get a letter a week later with a fee. Like I said in the comment I just posted, it's been stuff like around $150-200 on an $800 microphone, and that's used, second hand off ebay, also had a few others very similar. Also, Ebay aside, I ordered a new pair of speakers from a music store in the states, delivered by courier, and they had me pay $60 upon delivery. Also bought shoes off Goat, got a call to pat duties at the border on $100 pair of new shoes, sold second hand through the site. As far as anytime ive ordered from Ebay, and the US seller sent via USPS, I've never paid a thing, but haven't bought anything since last year, but yeah, never really had a courier deliver something I didn't get a bill / fee for after.

[john_koenig99]

---

@fh991586 wrote:

---

@john_koenig99 wrote:

---

Carriers like DHL or FedEx, always want their pound of flesh, even if the duties are zero. Others like UniUni, Asendia or CP don't charge anything if the duties are nil.

---

Can you provide an example where a private carrier asked for a fee when there was no perception of taxes or duty? This is not suppose to happen, so I seriously doubt it.

---

Late reply, but I can give you a recent one. The order was sent from Florida directly (not through ISP) via Fedex. Declared value was $30 US. There was no duty on it, but they charged "brokerage " , and taxes on such brokerage, for a total of almost $24 CAD. Absolute BS. 

[john_koenig99]

---

@uniquegarage wrote:

 As far as anytime ive ordered from Ebay, and the US seller sent via USPS, I've never paid a thing

---

Well, lucky you. I had a couple of recent orders (March) from a seller in the US. The sent directly via USPS/CP. I got dinged with duty and taxes in both. Both orders were about $130 USD. 

[marnotom!]

---

@john_koenig99 wrote:

---

---

The order was sent from Florida directly (not through eIS) via Fedex. Declared value was $30 US. There was no duty on it, but they charged "brokerage " , and taxes on such brokerage, for a total of almost $24 CAD. Absolute BS. 

---

Hate to break it to you, but US$30 converts to about CDN$42 at current exchange rates, so that would be just over the tax-free limit for a personal import shipped by courier.

[john_koenig99]

---

@marnotom! wrote:

Hate to break it to you, but US$30 converts to about CDN$42 at current exchange rates, so that would be just over the tax-free limit for a personal import shipped by courier.

---

So how do you explain another order, sent through ISP (Asendia/USPS/Uni-Uni), declared at $53USD, and I paid no fees/taxes? 

And in the one I mentioned via FedEx, it reads in the invoice: Duty/Taxes: 0.00 Brokerage : 21.72 Taxes: 2.82. 

[marnotom!]

---

@john_koenig99 wrote:

---

---

So how do you explain another order, sent through eIS (Asendia/USPS/Uni-Uni), declared at $53USD, and I paid no fees/taxes? 

---

Check your invoice. My observation of eIS shipments handled by Asendia is that taxes are charged and paid at Checkout.

---

@john_koenig99 wrote:And in the one I mentioned via FedEx, it reads in the invoice: Duty/Taxes: 0.00 Brokerage : 21.72 Taxes: 2.82. 

---

$2.82 sounds right for a 5% GST charge on an item that would be worth a converted amount of around C$42, which is what US$30 would convert to at current midmarket rates.

[reallynicestamps]

FedEx have a sneaky practice of delivering without collecting any import fees, or even their own "customs brokerage " fees.

Then they bill you later.

If the importer/buyer does not pay, they go to the seller/exporter (whose financials they have on file) and get the money from them.

Which is a rude impolite and nasty way of telling the seller not to use FedEx in future.

I have opinions about Fed Ex.