Ordering goods online from the US

[Flakkarin]

Hi,

I want to buy a new camera, and have found the one I want is $100-$150 cheaper on US websites than in Canada. However, I'm worried about all the possible import taxes and customs charges that may apply. I've tried to make sense of it all, but I still can't work out if it's cheaper overall from the US!

The item in a Panasonic camera, value about $350 CAD, the shipping service is UPS (ground I think) and I live in Alberta.

Thanks for any advice!

[mediajunkie]

You are responsible for any taxes. If the shipper includes a receipt or declares the value (as they would with UPS), customs will know the exact value of the goods.

UPS is very good at declearing and charging those taxes, and sometimes it can amount to more than the 12-14% charged by your province. They are less likely to charge if the item is shipped by the United State Postal Service (USPS).

The only way to avoid taxes is if you buy an item, get the shippers to declare it as a "gift" or a "sample" with no discernable value. It will depend on how coorporative the retailer is.

Beware that some US sites may be dubious too though, a friend of mine bought a camera off a site once and only the camera was included, no charging cables, no original box, no batteries, etc. which could be why the cameras are that much cheaper. You have to pay more for everything else. Also if you want to return the item you will also incur additional charges both ways. Look for some reviews of that retailer before you purchase.

[rk2009]

This site appears to help estimating the cost when shipping items from USA to canada

http://www.thefinalcost.com

Based on your cost and assumption that the shipping is 4.99 the cost comes to $456.14, wow that is a lot of extra money in fees, brokerage and Tax being the biggest costs.

$405 by USPS though but most items shipped online that I have seen utilize UPS ground.

[Suin]

Hi,

I want to buy a new camera, and have found the one I want is $100-$150 cheaper on US websites than in Canada. However, I'm worried about all the possible import taxes and customs charges that may apply. I've tried to make sense of it all, but I still can't work out if it's cheaper overall from the US!

The item in a Panasonic camera, value about $350 CAD, the shipping service is UPS (ground I think) and I live in Alberta.

Thanks for any advice!

we frequently buy various goods including electronics from the US and we have never paid any import taxes and customs charges - the final sum together with shipping included  was the only one that was charged from our credit card and then the item was successfully delivered to our place without any additional charges paid.

[rk2009]

we frequently buy various goods including electronics from the US and we have never paid any import taxes and customs charges - the final sum together with shipping included  was the only one that was charged from our credit card and then the item was successfully delivered to our place without any additional charges paid.

That might be the case because the Shipper or the merchant is bundling the cost when you finally tell them where you are shipping it to. Amazon has a page on Canada here > http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=596192&#intlpolicy

The biggest cost seems to be brokerage and GST, the site I sent you calculates cost for UPS,FedEx and USPS.

[links18]

If you live near the border, you can often have it shipped to the first down in the U.S., where there if often a package service for Canadians. You just drive down and pick it up, declaring it when you return.

[ucan]

If you live near the border, you can often have it shipped to the first down in the U.S., where there if often a package service for Canadians. You just drive down and pick it up, declaring it when you return.

Does anybody know how to find one of these package service for Canadians? Would that be with a particular courier company? I was wondering if one can rent a PO box in the US to receive the shipments.
Thanks,

[AllisonVSC]

There is a mail service in Buffalo/ Niagara area off I-190 close to the Queenston/Lewiston bridge. I haven't used it but they advertise (on a billboard) for a US address close to the border so I assume they cater to Canadians. I try to find it online and list the contact details.

[AllisonVSC]

http://www.usaddressinc.com/mailbox.html

[ucan]

Thanks AllisonVSC, will explore this service in detail
U-Can

[apple3981]

Useful info allison, thanks...

[aleyfre]

Hi everybody,
Just to let you know that I've been using Shipito and they've been great so far. They provide you with an address in the US, which is not a PO BOX, they also have package consolidation (you can order from different stores and they will merge everything into one package) and then they send everything to you. Check their web page. I have been using their service for over a year now and they have provided me an excellent service. Hope this helps!