Shipping

[Willow]

Originally Posted by mark

Bought a $300. electronic item from the States, shipped USPS, $5.00 brokerage plus GST.

don't forget as of last year they also charge pst! well not in alberta i guess.

[targaboy78]

Just a quick FYI. The folks at Canada Customs can be real jerks when they want to be.

I bought a pair of Reebok softball cleats last year on eBay. I got them for $25 USD.

I ended up paying $30 CDN in duties and taxes.

They they calculated taxes and duties on the $90 USD retail price. I called them about it and they said that many of the invoices are "fudged" so sometimes they go by the retail price. (This time it was my turn... Lucky me)

However, Willow is right...

also if you get them to stamp the box "replacement parts" then there are no taxs or brokerage fees at all

I purchased a used EV-180 skimmer on eBay and the seller wrote "Defective Product Return" on the box. It was obvious that it had been used, so I got it tax free.

I guess you just have to take your chances. Calculate the price on the worse-case-scenario.

[Ruth]

UPS is horrible IMO. I have gotten so many broken things shipped through them. They also charge a brokerage fee, customs - if applicable - and taxes. Then on top of all that I paid when I picked up the item and the local broker did not do a good job of their paperwork so the head office kept sending me bills. I phoned a couple of times to explain that I had paid it - sent them copies of my cancelled checks - they then sent it to collections as their record keeping just sucks. This has happened to me about 5 different times so when I order from the States I have them use good old USPS.

[blood_hound]

I dont know if Im getting this right but you guys are saying is to use USPS and have package stamped as replacement parts so i dont need to pay any duties

[marie]

Originally Posted by Ruth

UPS is horrible IMO. I have gotten so many broken things shipped through them. They also charge a brokerage fee, customs - if applicable - and taxes. Then on top of all that I paid when I picked up the item and the local broker did not do a good job of their paperwork so the head office kept sending me bills. I phoned a couple of times to explain that I had paid it - sent them copies of my cancelled checks - they then sent it to collections as their record keeping just sucks. This has happened to me about 5 different times so when I order from the States I have them use good old USPS.

Both times I had ups deliver to me, the driver refused to leave the package until he was paid and still the head office billed me again 2 months later. I wonder how many people just pay again unquestioningly

[Ruth]

Sean I don't take that chance. I have the shipper label it for what it is and use the correct value that I paid. If the product is made in the US there should be no duties on it but there will be GST and if you live anywhere but Alberta PST. What you are avoiding by using USPS is the large brokerage fee and as Marie and I have experienced double billing on that.

[blood_hound]

Cool thanks.....

[deep6er]

USPS???? Its early, what does this mean?

[muck]

Originally Posted by deep6er

USPS???? Its early, what does this mean?

USPS = United States Postal Service