Custom Duty in Canada-Please Help!

[samakh]

Hi,

I'll land in Toronto by mid-May. I want to purchase some items online from Debenhams UK (retail store) and would like them to be delivered to my Canadian address. The items would be clothing and shoes mainly. How much custom duty will be levied if the value of the items is £350?

Can I to declare these items on B4 Personal Effects form for exemption?

Thank you.

 

[torontosm]

Hi,

I'll land in Toronto by mid-May. I want to purchase some items online from Debenhams UK (retail store) and would like them to be delivered to my Canadian address. The items would be clothing and shoes mainly. How much custom duty will be levied if the value of the items is £350?

Can I to declare these items on B4 Personal Effects form for exemption?

Thank you.

I don't believe that they can be declared on your B4 if they aren't accompanying you or coming in a shipment that has to be cleared.

In Ontario, the duty is around 13%, but details can be found here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/duty-droits-eng.html

Sometimes, you get lucky and they don't charge anything.

 

[scylla]

I don't believe that they can be declared on your B4 if they aren't accompanying you or coming in a shipment that has to be cleared.

In Ontario, the duty is around 13%, but details can be found here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/duty-droits-eng.html

Sometimes, you get lucky and they don't charge anything.

Agreed. You would have to buy the items now, have them delivered to your home country and then either bring them with you when you come to Canada or include them as part of your shipment to Canada. If you order the items and have them delivered directly to Canada, you can't include them on your B4 and they will be subject to customs charges.

 

[samakh]

Thank you scylla and torontosm.

Sorry if this sounds stupid...

So if my friend has those items delivered to her address in UK (originating address) and sends them to me to Toronto? Can I declare them on B4 form?

I am coming from Pakistan btw...

 

[torontosm]

Thank you scylla and torontosm.

Sorry if this sounds stupid...

So if my friend has those items delivered to her address in UK (originating address) and sends them to me to Toronto? Can I declare them on B4 form?

I am coming from Pakistan btw...

No. unless you are bringing the goods with you, or they will be coming as part of a shipment of your personal effects that you will go to clear yourself, you can not import the items without paying duties. So, you can not list them on the B4 unless you could carry the goods yourself from Pakistan, or put them in your shipment.

 

[alok4best]

Thank you scylla and torontosm.

Sorry if this sounds stupid...

So if my friend has those items delivered to her address in UK (originating address) and sends them to me to Toronto? Can I declare them on B4 form?

I am coming from Pakistan btw...

Ok. It's simple to understand.
If the courier is end to end, lets say Fedex or DHL, then they will clear the customs for you and charge the duty.
On the other hand, if the parcel comes through an air cargo company and left at the Airport customs for you to clear, then yes, you can declare them on B4 and collect duty free.
If it's a small amount, then the duty you save this way might be smaller than what you will spend going to and coming from airport, also add the hassles.

 

[samakh]

Thanks alok4best and torontosm.

alok4best...yes you are right...didn't think about it like that. Yes it'll be a hassle!

This forum is great