Shipping to Canada from Thialand

[calgarycutie1]

I am wedding shopping for various items and I notice that a lot of items from Hong Kong and Thailand say "Free Shipping", but I am afraid that the "free shipping" may cost a bundle once it reaches Canadian Customs. Do I still pay duty and taxes on the items? How do I know how much? Or where can I find the info?

[femmefan1946 · Accepted solution]

Free Shipping really means that the cost of shipping is included in the price of the item. This does not preclude the purchase being a Good Buy.

You will pay duty and sales tax on any item valued over $20. If the seller uses the postal system, Canada Post will add an $8.50 service charge for shepherding the parcel through customs.

You can find more information on the Canada Border Services Agency website.

There are some possible problems that can arise, especially for brides.

First, if the item is not as described, and the seller is not helpful about refunds, you will have to return the item WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION, to win a refund dispute. This is ExpressPost International and starts around $40. So if what you get is not what you wanted,you may be stuck.

There are many problems reported with wedding gowns that are not as described, ranging from poor fit to incompetent sewing. Some gowns never arrive at all. Some need rebuilding locally.

For your gown, have you looked into having it sewn locally by a seamstress from a dress pattern and fabric you supply yourself? My mum did this and normally completed a (ballgown) wedding dress in about two weeks. Consider this.