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Wilioli
03-21-2012, 07:09 PM
Hope this is in the right place.

Searching for reef equipment always leads me to the 'american sites', where there is sometimes more variety, and cheaper pricing. Then I start to think of customs/duties and wonder what the actual price would be after -- and just give up. But I see a lot of Canadians do order from the states. What are the fee's like? I'm referring more to light fixtures.

I've been to the border/customs website -- honestly I had no idea what I was reading... lol I know this is a general question, and fee's depends on amount purchased, and what was actually purchased, but maybe some of you can give examples so I can get an idea? I'm looking to buy a light fixture for my 40b. I feel I can save at least $100 buying in the states. Anyways, hope you can all help. Thanks in advance

The Codfather
03-21-2012, 07:14 PM
Remember that shipping prices change once it goes north of the 49th.
In some cases, between shipping, customs and warranty, it's not worth the bother. Pay a few dollars more and get it from a trusted source. There are several guys on here that will bring in what you need, most will happily do if you ask. Just my two cents.
Bob

wingedfish
03-21-2012, 07:16 PM
Customs are very much hit and miss, generally, I've found anything under 50 they don't bother with. Over and you get stuck with GST sometimes. I just got some LEDs from hong kong and was charged some odd 10 dollar customs fee and GST. It depends on what the seller declares. Sometimes they call it a gift or industrial sample and there is no customs charge.

cwatkins
03-21-2012, 08:16 PM
It all comes down the whether you're bringing it across the border personally in your own vehicle, or whether it's coming over via courier/post office/broker.

The un-official general rule of thumb is a border guard will let you back into Canada with up to $200 of goods per person in the vehicle, even if it's only a couple hour trip. (This is my own personal observation and may just be a long running random coincidence).

I've brought over a lot of tank gear from my mail pickup place across the border. Vortech pumps, Apex controller, etc.

It helps when the whole family is in the vehicle :biggrin:

P.S. Always be honest and declare everything. Don't try to hide anything. Usually I just declare it in a lump sum and the border guards are usually good with that.

Wilioli
03-21-2012, 10:05 PM
hey thanks for all the prompt replies! I should have been more specific -- I meant courier/shipped goods.. So example of the hongkong led's... I've heard things like after taxes/duties/fees ur paying DOUBLE! If it's just gst/hst then im fine with that, for sure!

subman
03-21-2012, 10:27 PM
my experience has been most things ive ordered from China have been delivered ems (canadapost) have gotten through with no duty.

ups is outrageous with duty fees. (last thing I ordered was a $35 go-kart sprocket and it came with $52 in duty and processing fees)

it really is a crap shoot when it comes to duty. If you feel like the deal is good enough spin the duty wheel sometime you win lol

Wilioli
03-22-2012, 12:31 AM
wait $52 total, or extra???

subman
03-22-2012, 12:58 AM
no $52 EXTRA!


I won't use UPS for any international shipping anymore the fees are crazy!!

Bryan
03-22-2012, 01:29 AM
UPS Fees

http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html#Entry+Preparation+Charges

subman
03-22-2012, 01:48 AM
Thats all good. All I know is I paid more for UPS than the item!

I'm not alone paying crazy brokerage fee's:

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=52815&highlight=ups+fees

http://community.ebay.ca/thread.jspa?threadID=600012557

http://www.wonderclub.com/complaints/ups.htm


*edit (unless they have changed in the last year as I haven't used them in that time)

scubadawg
03-22-2012, 01:57 AM
UPS Fees

http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html#Entry+Preparation+Charges

Here's a better one for UPS, if you ever have to use UPS, use over night or expedited, DO NOT USE GROUND.

http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/pre-2007/files/home/courierfees/index.html

Myka
03-22-2012, 02:01 AM
Yes, UPS is outrageous. I paid $110 for a skimmer that included shipping if I remember correctly. I paid $54 in UPS brokerage and duties. The kicker was that I didn't receive the bill from UPS until 3 months later! What do I do then? Can't send it back, it's busy on the tank! :lol:

Fedex or Purolator are much cheaper for brokerage. Snail mail seems to be about the same. Duties are hit or miss...doesn't matter the cost of the item...I think they just choose randomly which ones get dinged and which ones don't.

scubadawg
03-22-2012, 02:01 AM
hey thanks for all the prompt replies! I should have been more specific -- I meant courier/shipped goods.. So example of the hongkong led's... I've heard things like after taxes/duties/fees ur paying DOUBLE! If it's just gst/hst then im fine with that, for sure!

If your buying from China, try to use DHL, they have a like a 8.00 or 10.00 customs fee, I have purchased a number of stereo piece from China and fees were reasonable.

Casey8
03-22-2012, 02:05 AM
No, you are not alone. I bought an item from ebay for $85 plus shipping for $30. The item I had bought at that time, I thought I can save $60 even if I have to pay extra for the shipping. But when I go pick it up, they charged me an extra $40 :twised: From that day, I registered at TSB shipping, whatever item I bought from US from now on, it will ship directly to that TSB address, and it will cost me only $3.

Myka
03-22-2012, 02:08 AM
TSB shipping??

scubadawg
03-22-2012, 02:10 AM
I refuse to use UPS ground from U.S., if the seller does not USPS, I don't buy from them.

Casey8
03-22-2012, 02:14 AM
Yes, Myka.

http://tsbshipping.com/feb_rates.htm

Wilioli
03-22-2012, 03:09 AM
ive been enlightened -- amazing.. .yea the chinese source uses dhl -- so i guess thats good.. and im more open to shopping in the states now -- but NOT with UPS GROUND... awesome! great links subman and scubadawg -- and thanks to all

martinmcnally
03-22-2012, 04:11 AM
Here is what I know.

Canada Post / USPS will not charge customs brokerages fees so they are always your cheapest route. If the order is over $200 they will charge you the GST at the door and a small bond fee around $5.

FedEx and UPS will charge you the following:

Taxes (GST, PST etc)
A Bond Fee (to pay the taxes on your behalf
Customs Brokerage Fee
Duty (if any)


If you are using FedEx / UPS express services the Customs Brokerage Fee is included. However if you are using Standard / Ground the brokerage fee depends on the order total:

Order Total - Customs Brokerage Fee
$0.00 to $20.00 - $ 0

$20.01 to $40.00 - $7.00

$40.01 to $100.00 - $19.45

$100.01 to $200.00 - $29.00

$200.01 to $350.00 - $45.60

$350.01 to $500.00 - $51.20

$500.01 to $750.00 - $58.20

$750.01 to $1,000.00 - $65.15

$1,000.01 to $1,250.00 - $72.10

$1,250.01 to $1,600.00 - $76.65

$1,600.01 to $5,000.00 - $80.85

Each additional $1,000 - $6.25

Next, depending on the items in your shipment and where they were manufactured comes the Duty Fees. Items made in China are usually charged at 8% duty.

So for additional fees you are looking at:

USPS / Canada Post = Small Bond Fee + GST + Provincial Tax + Duty (if any) and only if the order totals more than $200.

UPS / FedEx Standard / Ground = Customs Brokerage Fee + GST + Provincial Tax + Duty + Bond Fee

For express services = GST + Provincial Tax + Duty + Bond Fee

You can get rid of the bond free if you have your credit card on file with fedex.

Here is a good website which will figure most of this out for you and give you the final cost:

http://www.thefinalcost.com/