It seems to me the import fee - global shipping program is ripoff. I see others agree. What is Wrong

[bradhoward35]

I have bought many items from us sellers, paid by PayPal and had them shipped by US post. No problem. No import fees. No taxes at this end. Now when I see an item I like it may show an import fee MAY apply. But neither the seller or EBay customer support can tell if it does. I am told to buy it and if I don't like the invoice amount cancel. Wow would that be a mistake for my eBay history. As a seller I'd go nuts. I really expect more from EBay than this.

I have asked various US sellers to confirm if I win the auction they will ship direct via US post ( with tracking ) and not use this very useless program!!!!

[marnotom!]

Any item with a declared value of more than C$20 is subject to taxes (PST / GST / HST) and duty, if applicable.  Some items don't even have this C$20-threshold, such as books.

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

If you receive an item with a declared value of more than C$20 in the mail and Canada Border Services hasn't taxed it and Canada Post hasn't added another C$9.95 in processing charges, it's more due to the luck of the draw and the lack of economic sense to tax it.

Unlike Canada Border Services, the Global Shipping Program isn't "allowed" to let taxable items slip through untaxed.