Canadians weigh in please

[DSMConvert]

Ok just shipped several packages to Canada. Some where sold items and 2 were exchanges. I clearly marked gift on one and warranty exchange on the other and the 2 exchanges got charged customs fees the same as the sold ones. I thought you guys only got charged custom and duty fees on items purchased. Is there a different way I need to do it next time? As far as I know this is the first time this has happened to anyone I've sent things to, but then again it could be just the first time I've noticed it.

[SNike05]

depends on the value you marked and the size of the box. Also as previously mentioned on this forum doing this is mail fraud just fyi.

The thing is the customs people have caught on to this in the past year or two as online shopping has increased significantly. So far I have been charged once on about 10 purchases averaging. I simply have stuff shipped to the bordering cities and go pick it up now.

[DSMConvert]

no no no the 2 shipped gifts were just that. LIke i said one was a gift and the other was a warranty exchange. The others were regular sales and marked as such, I just couldnt understand how the 2 exchanged/gift item were charged the same value when the customers had already paid customs/duty fees the first time around.

[SNike05]

For customs officer it doesn't matter if something is exchange or coming back for the 3rd time. As long as it is crossing the border and has a value it will be charged federal tax and duty (if manufactured overseas).

On the exchange/gifts you must have marked a declared value somewhere. If you didn't then at the border they opened the box and estimated a market value of the item and charged accordingly.

[tekkie]

who did you ship it with? usps seems to be the best route very rarely do you get hit with anything with them, ups is the worst by far, send a bottle of vasoline with that ;)

[jeffmsp]

ups rapes me everytime.

[MP5cd]

ups rapes me everytime.
Yes UPS is a scam , use USPS

[geomatics_tech]

UPS is bullshit, they charge way to much.

I have had the most luck with DHL and USPS.

UPS charged me $41 to import kartboy shifter bushings and hangers:bs: , they charged me $121 to import a greddy profec b:bs: , and another $130 to import my mpi:bs: . On the other hand, USPS charged me zero to import a smic and hardpipes(first) , and charged me $50 to import my unichip (sold my mpi). DHL charged me nothing to import a mid pipe(first) .

I dont believe any charges should be made for warrenty work, or refunds/exchanges. But UPS are the boys in brown for a good reason.

[oliver2000]

Ok just shipped several packages to Canada. Some where sold items and 2 were exchanges. I clearly marked gift on one and warranty exchange on the other and the 2 exchanges got charged customs fees the same as the sold ones. I thought you guys only got charged custom and duty fees on items purchased. Is there a different way I need to do it next time? As far as I know this is the first time this has happened to anyone I've sent things to, but then again it could be just the first time I've noticed it.

Like someone else said, gifts do not make any difference. To legally not pay taxes on a returned/ exchanged item, someone needs to provide proof of import when taxes were paid or a receipt from a canadian vendor showing taxes paid, then proof of export from canada to the US for warranty purposes.

Never ever use UPS, they charge a brokerage fee on surface parcels, if the US vendor uses UPS red then the brokerage fee is included although the frieght bill will be much more, depends on the value if it makes sense. UPS charges a sliding scal for brokerage based on value and the minimum charge up to 250 bucks is 40 dollars plus taxes.

If it comes USPS / Canada Post then IF it gets assessed then the brokerage charge is 7 dollars. The secret is the IF, I have seen the customs process in action and depending if the box " looks " valuable it will get assessed or a declared value of usually 25 dollars or more it will get assessed. Another tip, if it looks like it is coming from Aunt Marta in the US and to Cousin Willy in Canada it will most likley come through without charges.

[FunkyBuddha]

usps is the best route for cheap shipping. the normal couriers charge duties and customs each time a product crosses the border no matter how many times it crosses it.

[MP5cd]

UPS is only good for there fancy trucks and well dressed people,but if you like that kind of thing ,like prev. said Vasaline Jar is a must, the F_ ckers.no wonder they are nice and nice dressed,someone making a killing ripping people off.

[MP5cd]

depends on the value you marked and the size of the box. Also as previously mentioned on this forum doing this is mail fraud just fyi.

The thing is the customs people have caught on to this in the past year or two as online shopping has increased significantly. So far I have been charged once on about 10 purchases averaging. I simply have stuff shipped to the bordering cities and go pick it up now.no better than the fraud UPS comits each time.mail fraud no ,survival yes.