Anywhere in Canada to get DIY LED supplies?

[kookie_guy]

The only ways you are getting away with not paying brokerage and taxes are:

1) They indicate the value of parcel under $20 CAD
2) They indicate the value of parcel under $50 (or $60) and check off "gift"
3) Shipping air express (that's what I've herd)

If they are doing #1 or #2, they are technically breaking the law, but some vendors do it. I know I always ask for it when ordering stuff.

For big ticket items, I just have my stuff shipped to Niagara Falls, NY, and pick it all up myself. The additional cost of shipping to Canada always more than offsets the cost of gas. Then just go do some shopping while down there.

[deputy1234]

Originally Posted by kookie_guy

The only ways you are getting away with not paying brokerage and taxes are:

1) They indicate the value of parcel under $20 CAD
2) They indicate the value of parcel under $50 (or $60) and check off "gift"
3) Shipping air express (that's what I've herd)

If they are doing #1 or #2, they are technically breaking the law, but some vendors do it. I know I always ask for it when ordering stuff.

For big ticket items, I just have my stuff shipped to Niagara Falls, NY, and pick it all up myself. The additional cost of shipping to Canada always more than offsets the cost of gas. Then just go do some shopping while down there.

Now, you are correct with your information on duties but you've over looked one key factor. Cree LEDs are manufactured in the U.S.A. I believe most of the manufacturing is done in Durham North Carolina. Because of this the order from rapidled.com should qualify under the NAFTA. To qualify under the NAFTA, the following must apply:

1. The goods are for your personal use; and
2. they are marked as made in the United States or Canada or not marked or labeled to indicate they were made anywhere other than in the United States or Canada.


Therefore, you should not be paying any duties. I've ordered from them before with no duties charged.

[kookie_guy]

Originally Posted by deputy1234

Now you are correct with your information on duties but you've over looked one key factor. Cree LEDs are manufactured in the U.S.A. I believe most of the manufacturing is done in Durham North Carolina. Because of this the order from rapidled.com should qualify under the NAFTA. To qualify under the NAFTA, the following must apply:

1. The goods are for your personal use; and
2. they are marked as made in the United States or Canada or not marked or labeled to indicate they were made anywhere other than in the United States or Canada.

Yes you are correct. But there have been countless times where I've ordered something, and it clearly states made is USA all over it. Still got charged. When I tried to file a claim, there was so much paperwork and crap to fill out, that it simply was not worth the time and effort. Border service agents are also not well educated on the NAFTA stuff. As I've brought the big stuff over from my pickup location, showed them all the documentation that it's made in the US, and they said, "it does not matter, you are importing it into Canada and gotta pay."

[gobytron]

I've been looking at this place...
http://www.reefledlights.com/

[nlreefguy]

But it's pretty sad that there's nowhere to get these supplies WITHIN Canada, isn't it? (hint to retailers, maybe?)

[kookie_guy]

Originally Posted by nlreefguy

But it's pretty sad that there's nowhere to get these supplies WITHIN Canada, isn't it? (hint to retailers, maybe?)

I'm sure there is, but at a substantial markup.

For big group buys to get great deals check out below. He's a sponsor on nano-reef.com

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showforum=126

it's www.ledgroupbuy.com

[nlreefguy]

yes, he operates on here as well and I have ordered LEDs from him, but he still orders them from the US. I was just lamenting the fact that I can't buy the product from a Canadian retailer, at least to the best of my knowledge. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I strenuously object to buying them from a US retailer, it's just that it would be less complicated if the were available regionally or even locally.

[kookie_guy]

Originally Posted by nlreefguy

yes, he operates on here as well and I have ordered LEDs from him, but he still orders them from the US. I was just lamenting the fact that I can't buy the product from a Canadian retailer, at least to the best of my knowledge. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I strenuously object to buying them from a US retailer, it's just that it would be less complicated if the were available regionally or even locally.

100% agree. And it would also be nice for that retailer to not take advantage of Canadian customers and gauge the snot out of them. Too many Canadian retailers are doing this.

[The Guy]

I think these guy's are in Vancouver, but not sure if they have a store front or it's just on line ordering.
http://www.lucentled.ca/