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?

[dmil8030 · Accepted solution]

Hello 'calgarycutie',

Charges on any item depend on what it is and where it is made.  A wedding dress from Hong Kong, - if it is assessed, - would have a duty of 18%.  Taxes you pay according to your province.  So if you lived in, say, Alberta, you would pay 5% GST.

The formula then has you start with the gown price, 18% duty on that, 5% tax on the duty, 5% on the gown price, $8.50 Canada Post, 5% on that.  Add it up and there's your total.

That said, as mentioned above, given the importance of 'the big day', I'd say think very carefully before buying a wedding dress from Hong Kong.  Only do it if you have loads of time to buy an alternate when the HK dress doesn't arrive or arrives in an unacceptable form (wrong size, poor quality, etc), and you can afford to purchase 'plan B'.  Given the number of complaints around here about wedding dresses from Asia, I'd say it takes a courageous and intrepid soul to opt for one of those.  But if you enjoy a bit of risk . . .  🙂

[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.

[dmil8030]

Aah, smart thinking, - but you'd be surprised how often someone buys a wedding gown from China or Hong Kong with miserable results, which is the last thing she needs at that time. 

That said, as I mentioned earlier, how much duty you pay depends on what the item is, and where it is made.  A gown has 18%.  Party favours would likely have less.  But if they are made outside a NAFTA country they could incur duty.  So merely buying from the US does not mean no duty or charges. 

Sometimes packages sent in the mail just arrive at your door without charges, but it is wise to always factor in the possible extra.  If you have time, you could order something from Asia as a trial.  Even if you bought some of this at the 'dollar store' nearby, you would have to pay tax, and duties are built into the price. 

My only concern would be that given the importance of this particular day, if the items from Asia do not arrive you have 45 days to file an Item Not Received claim, -- but do you really want to contend with that?  Or the stuff might show up, no charges, and be great.  It's a gamble, and it may be on its way to you although the post is slow so how will you feel by week 4 with still no items?

You'll have to make some decisions.  Buying from Asia could go really well and be a terrific idea, or it could be a whopping headache.  What matters to you, ie, price savings versus risk taking and so on, - you'll have to sort that one out.

But I sure do wish you well either way! 😄

[calgarycutie1]

Thank you for the advise. It is not the wedding gown. Would never risk that. But smaller items such as dried flower, decorations, ribbon, pins and some embellishments. Stuff like that - that is so expensive here. But considering all the taxes and duty you say there is - I may was well buy it here - or at lest from the USA.

Thanks again.