ElkRiverHarmonicas
679 posts
May 19, 2011
7:29 AM
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What do you guys pay for duty when you get harps from the U.S.?
Thanks!
David
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
Elk River Harmonicas on Facebook
"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard
"Also, drinking homemade beer." - David Payne
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arzajac
516 posts
May 19, 2011
8:00 AM
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Duty is the tax on the item. So that would be about 15 per cent for me in Ontario. That being said, I have received dozens of new and used items shipped through the mail (small package) from the US and not had to pay duty yet. I think they are lax when it comes to small-ish items.
On an aside, UPS is cruel. It is far better to use another company or simply the USPS. All packages sent from the US to Canada through UPS stop at the border and you need (to pay) a "broker" to get your package. This brokerage fee can often be more than you spent on the item itself. My Mom once had to pay a $150.00 fee on an envelope with about 50 family photos in it sent from my brother in Kansas.
I hope that helps.
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mr_so&so
438 posts
May 19, 2011
8:02 AM
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Hi Dave,
I usually don't have to pay any duty, but I guess it depends on how a package is labelled and what happens at the border. "Gifts" are duty free anyway, but most US sellers don't want to be caught deliberately mislabeling packages. It must be a hassle to collect the duty for small purchases, because most things that I buy for less than a couple of hundred dollars, and that are properly identified, just sail on over the border to me.
Where we get stung is with the "brokerage fees" applied by the major courier companies. the good old US Postal Service does not do this, so that is the preferred way to receive goods here.
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jawbone
430 posts
May 19, 2011
3:36 PM
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Hey Dave - It's been awhile and I can't find any old invoices but I think once it came thru clean, non stop but then the next time I'm pretty sure I got dinged with 13% HST (sales tax) and a brokerage fee that can range anywhere from $7 - $20. When it comes thru the mail I think they are more lenient.
Why?? Are you going to send me something???? If it's a gift, they don't charge anything!!!! Should I stand by my mailbox???
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
680 posts
May 20, 2011
5:27 PM
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Thanks guys! I REALLY appreciate the help!
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David
Elk River Harmonicas
Elk River Harmonicas on Facebook
"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard
"Also, drinking homemade beer." - David Payne
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MEK
37 posts
May 20, 2011
6:46 PM
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I think a good note to have on your page is that you ship USPS to Canada. I live in a small northern town an do a fair amount of mail ordering. I always look to see how they ship first to see if its worth placing an order. ARZAJAC's story is very common, has happened to me as well. Thank you for thinking of us.
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gmacleod15
126 posts
May 21, 2011
8:53 AM
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...also if the parcel is shipped to a buisness address there is more likely to be brokerage and duty charges. If sent to a residence, small items will probably go right through with no fees.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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