Customs fee's

Wilioli · #1 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 · #2 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 · #3 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 · #4 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

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 · #5 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 · #6 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 · #7 03-22-2012, 12:31 AM

wait $52 total, or extra???

subman · #8 03-22-2012, 12:58 AM

no $52 EXTRA!

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

Bryan · #9 03-22-2012, 01:29 AM

UPS Fees

http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shi...ration+Charges

subman · #10 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/sho...light=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)