eBay

brandon_rocks · ‎11-07-2013

What I want to know is why there are import fees for a product that was made in Puerto Rico for an American company and shipped into Canada? Every one of these countries is encompassed in NAFTA and not to be charged duty. If there is no duty, there is no fee for the government to collect. While NAFTA does not cover HST/GST etc, the cost incurred in this auction is not correct to those guidelines. I may not understand NAFTA, but it seems to me like this is not correct. Can someone please clarify if I am wrong?

Here is the auction in question.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Microsoft-Windows-8-Pro-1-Upgrade-for-PC-/111210100575?pt=US_Operating_System...

toby_le_pue · ‎11-07-2013

The import fees are the GST/HST sales tax for your province and a fee for

pitney bowes to collect them.

Almost anything over $20.00 Canadian imported is subject to Canadian taxes.

If it was sent by regular mail and checked by customs then you would pay

$9.95 handling charge plus the taxes for your province

pierrelebel · ‎11-08-2013

"but it seems to me like this is not correct. "

Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth and is considered part of the USA.

As such, most imports from PR (USA) enter Canada duty free under NAFTA

However, once again, this has nothing to do with GSP and taxes (HST/GST/PST) collected on goods entering Canada even when duty free.

"Import charge" means taxes and brokerage or handling fee. Duty may be included if applicable although it seldom happens for goods coming from the USA.

brandon_rocks · ‎11-08-2013

Thanks for the reply. I did already understand that Taxes are not included. I found that in another thread here. The thing I was concerned about was that on a 40$ purchase the tax is only $8 in my province, yet the total import charge on this auction WAS showing $11+. Now it shows a proper amount. I do understand that this fee is necessary to ensure conformity with Canadian tax law, but it is not comforting to see it as a consumer, especially if the number is not correct. While it does say "This amount is subject to change until you make payment.", that is not a good thing to read as I will already have committed to buy this item. Without a guarantee that this number will not increase it seems like a very sketchy charge that should be dead accurate before the sale is made, and you are stuck with a variable at checkout.

pierrelebel · ‎11-08-2013

"variable at checkout."

I think the wording was selected to allow change in price for auction listings. While the current value for import charge may show $10.00 (for example), it would increase if the winning bid is higher than the current bid.