Questions about the Global Shipping Program

[kalvin@ebay.com]

Do you have questions about the Global Shipping Program? Please post here & I'll do my best to track those answers down for you!

If you have any comments about the program, use this forum instead.

Thanks,

[pierrelebel]

or, possibly, that purse was classified as "Purse, leather" which is subject to 10% duty when entering Canada

http://www.dutycalculator.com/country-guides/Import-duty-taxes-when-importing-into-Canada/

[afantiques]

And having said that,  I`m a bit concerned because antiques are restricted under the terms of the GSP, so I hope all will be smooth sailing. But I bought this item knowing that, so ....

I have been told that the shippers running the GSP  have now managed to get insurance for antiques (and some other previously restricted catagories) and the restriction has been lifted.

The restriction list will be updated sometime when someone gets round to it.

[marnotom!]

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@arlene_v wrote:

I'm a bit concerned because antiques are restricted under the terms of the GSP, so I hope all will be smooth sailing. But I bought this item knowing that, so ....

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That was my first thought when I saw your post and item, too, Arlene, but I just double-checked the .com site's help page for the GSP and the Antiques category no longer shows up on the "restricted" list:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/shipping-globally.html#restricted

Please keep us posted on this sale.

[arlene_v]

According to the wording in that link you provided,  antiques do not attract duty. 

The seller describes the purse I bought as vintage, and yet it is listed under the category for antiques. 

[arlene_v]

Thanks Marno and AF for your replies as well! You all do a great job spending hours here explaining this extremely complicated (at least to me) program. I can truly say I appreciate all your efforts.

 I will keep you posted on how this goes. Crossing fingers and toes. 

[afantiques]

The current restricted list certainly makes a lot more sense, and settles one question, why were so many litings available that ignored the old one.

[snommistocs]

I took a chance buying from a US seller that used the GSP.

The packaged arrived at my door already opened, there was a note inside "Ebay Notice of Parcel Check'

The clowns at pitney Bowes barely sealed the box back up, and didn't bother re-protecting the contents.

so now I have damaged goods, and missing parts (I'm actually surprised there was anything in the box from the shoddy re-seal).

so now what do I do? I don't think it was the sellers fault, but I can only do a paypal dispute, and this affects the seller, yes?

NEVER will I buy from some one who uses the GSP.

Is this the goal of the GSP, to stop global purchases?

[marnotom!]

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@snommistocs wrote:

so now what do I do? I don't think it was the sellers fault, but I can only do a paypal dispute, and this affects the seller, yes?

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If it's determined that the item was damaged while the item was in possession of the various agents responsible for the Global Shipping Program, the seller won't be held liable.

Go to the Resolution Centre, pronto.  Make sure you explain that this was a GSP purchase.  Also get in touch with the seller if you haven't already done so and advise him or her of what's going on and let them know that the only way you can recover all your fees associated with the purchase is through the Resolution Centre.

[snommistocs]

thank you for the reply.

I've sent a couple messages to the seller, they have not replied. I sent a message to eBay about the issue but I guess I'll try what you suggested.

I just didn't want to screw over the seller....

[marnotom!]

How can it be "screwing over" the seller when you've got a legitimate complaint about damage?

Remember, it was his choice to offer the GSP as a shipping method (unless he accidentally opted himself in).

[snommistocs]

I thought it was not too clear that it was a choice(?)

and I'm not convinced the seller did a **bleep**py job of packing, I think I would not have a problem if shipped directly to me.

[arlene_v]

I have a few more questions about the GSP.

Now that antiques and fine jewelry are no longer in the restricted category I'd like to know if anyone here can answer these questions, please. 

Are antiques exempt from duty? 

Is antique fine jewelry exempt from duty?

What if a seller doesn't list the country of manufacture correctly, and this attracts unnecessary duty?

How do I know what the final duty will be on an item that is not a BIN but auction style, if the specifics provided by the seller are unknown to me? By this I mean what if the seller has incorrectly stated, for example, that a Birks sterling ringbox  was made in the UK ... would that attract duty? How do I determine the final rate when I put in a max bid on an auction? 

[afantiques]

Are antiques exempt from duty? 

Is antique fine jewelry exempt from duty?

Most importantly they are not exempt from import sales tax.

This will be the major item in the import charges.

'Duty' is something else. Antiques are usually duty free most places but generally some recognised proof of age is needed. Taking it a step further there may be restrictions on antiquities.

[pierrelebel]

Defining "antiques" for duty purposes can be a real challenges.  "Old" does not mean "antiques" (although my kids may feel differently).  Some jurisdictions may require proof that the item is at least one hundred (100) years old to label it "antique".

And yes, in Canada, "antiques" are taxable (GST/HST/PST).  It does not matter if you purchase them locally or import them, taxes are payable

[marnotom!]

Maybe not the best example, but I just took a look at this listing for an "old" pocket watch cross-listed in Antiques:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/251414288313

First of all, the GSP shipping price at just over US$10 seems pretty reasonable to me for an item like that.

Second of all, once you subtract 13% Ontario HST from the import charges, what remains for Pitney Bowes and the other GSP players is US$6.46.  I'd say some of that charge would go toward insurance rather than duty.

I realize that there are some really goofy GSP listings out there, but I don't see where people get the idea that the program is consistently charging 50% more than CBSA/Canada Post as suggested in an earlier post.  I wonder if the person suggesting that forgot about Canada Post's C$9.95 processing charge?

[arlene_v]

I often shop at our local antiques mall here in Ottawa and have not once paid HST.

It's a multi-dealer market with each vendor keeping their own records for tax purposes and renting space at the market.

I questioned several dealers about this,and even had one ask the owner of the antique mall,  and they assured me that this was totally above board - much to my surprise.

The reason I was given is that if an individual dealer makes less than $30 000 in sales per year,they are not subject to  charging HST .  Only 3 vendors at the largest antique market in Ottawa charge HST, and that's because  they make over the $30 000 in sales per year. 

I often shop at antique shows and fairs and have never paid HST. 

Comments? I'd be interested to know if this is following the "letter of the law" ... ? 

As for paying HST on antiques bought on Ebay from US vendors using the GSP,I understand that is built into the program so I am not questioning that, although  I would obviously be better off buying local under the circumstances. 

[pierrelebel]

"and have not once paid HST."

That is because the seller is not  GST/HST registered (sales under $30,000) a year or, possibly, the seller decided to absorb the tax in his price.

[gotwhatchuneed]

Clearly says on the Canada customs web site that used electronics are not subject to duty and import fees, perhaps sales tax is a different matter

[pierrelebel]

That is correct.  New or used taxable items have the same percentage of taxes (GST/HST/PST).

Often on these boards we have seen some posters confused between "duty" (very few items are charged duty) and Canadian consumption taxes (GST/HST/PST)

[pointcity62]

Shipping to Canada from USA.

I will only deal with Sellers who use either USPS 1st Class International Parcel or USPS  International Priority.

In most cases the Global Shipping Import Charges are extremely high when added to the above shipping method on USPS International Priority  especially on lower value items.  

Also the Global shipping Method offers no additional advantages over USPS International Priority . If anything USPS International Priority  has a better Tracking System and has Insurance available.

I've had bad experiences in the past with the Global Shipping System. Items were shipped by a Seller who had multiple Winning Buyers . My parcel along with others received wrong items and Seller was unfamiliar with system and refused to cover return shipping charges for these items. Seller assumed his customers were all located in Kentucky as that was the only Tracking Information he was able to find on the USPS Website. In fact this was the sorting facility. Even the ship to labels on the packages only give the USPS sorting office in Kentucky (not the actual customers mailing address).

In closing ask your Sellers only to ship by USPS 1st Class International most affordable or Insured/Tracking  under USPS International Priority. Always stick with methods that work !