Ordering from US to Canada - surprise fees

[pmaster]

Just received a package this morning, a few straights I won off ebay for a good price ($50+20shipping). I was very happy with the price I got. The items were shipped through usps. For the first time (and I've ordered a LOT in the last year thanks to SRAD), I was hit with duty fees! Its very frustrating, since it added over $18 to the total! Some $9.95 for handling fees, and $7-8 in taxes.

I really wasn't expecting this, has anyone had the same experience?

 

[VerbaVolant]

Just received a package this morning, a few straights I won off ebay for a good price ($50+20shipping). I was very happy with the price I got. The items were shipped through usps. For the first time (and I've ordered a LOT in the last year thanks to SRAD), I was hit with duty fees! Its very frustrating, since it added over $18 to the total! Some $9.95 for handling fees, and $7-8 in taxes.

I really wasn't expecting this, has anyone had the same experience?

I knew it would not last forever.
Not surprised at all.

 

[Dusty1]

Uh, nope, but I'm about to ship a razor I just sold to Canada, and I didn't account for those extra fees. What Provence are you in?

 

[u2u]

It is a hit or miss system. Using USPS gives you a chance that when the package hits the border duties and taxes might not be applied. Apparently Canada Post directs the item to Customs, or not. If you have a package sent by courier it seems to guarantee duties and taxes will be collected plus a much larger brokerage fee. I look at it as a form of gambling and often the house wins. The OP has had far better luck than I have. Three quarters of my international orders get the treatment. I always factor the associated potential into a purchasing decision. It is frustrating in that the good deals our southern neighbours enjoy don't apply across the northern border.

 

[pmaster]

Uh, nope, but I'm about to ship a razor I just sold to Canada, and I didn't account for those extra fees. What Provence are you in?

In Quebec, but like I said, I received a LOT of shipments and this is the first one for which I'm hit with taxes and "handling fees". Mark it as a gift and I think nothing else will apply. Mine was marked as merchandise (from the ebay seller).

I guess I was just very lucky until now!

What pisses me off the most is the $10 handling fees...I'm ok with paying the taxes, but add to that fixed handling fees which are 20% of the total amount?

I guess I'll take this possibility into consideration for my next purchases...

 

[CanuckShaver]

Yes, it's a hit or miss. I think I get dinged about half the time so it's a matter of luck. Even got dinged for items I bought on BST while brand new ones didn't. And USPS has less chance of getting taxed.

 

[Cobre]

Thanks to my various AD's I have ordered shaving stuff from all over the World, the only times I have been hit by duties is when the items have been shipped via UPS, DHL and Fedex. The worst one is UPS since they want to collect a $50 "handling fee" even if the item is 50-60 bucks. But here is a trick, you can call them and request that they credit you the "handling fee" since you think it's unfair and they will take it off

 

[sarimento1]

i'll swap your customs and handling fees for my health insurance premiums here in the usa, any day!!

 

[August West]

i'll swap your customs and handling fees for my health insurance premiums here in the usa, any day!!

 

[rand77]

Was it through the eBay global shipping program? That's a sure fire way to get dinged.

I've made dozens of purchases from the US (> 25) and got hit only twice. Once was for a high value item ($250), and for a $80 item, both shipped USPS Express Intentional. I've never got hit when shipping USPS First Class or priority, even for items > $100. Of course this just my experience, and probably not representative of everyone. Also my packages tend to arrive and process at the Mississauga Facility.

 

[pmaster]

Hmm, not sure about ebay global shipping, but it came with usps first class package. Maybe its a matter of getting lucky. My packages also usually pass through Mississauga, although this time it got directly through Montreal it would seem.

 

[rand77]

Hmm, not sure about ebay global shipping, but it came with usps first class package. Maybe its a matter of getting lucky. My packages also usually pass through Mississauga, although this time it got directly through Montreal it would seem.

Were the fees added at the eBay checkout or upon delivery. I think with the eBay program the fees are collected immediately.

Edit: Apparently that is not how it works. I think this thread may be helpful:
http://community.ebay.ca/t5/Buying-...only-disclosed-after-committment/qaq-p/104699

 

[Purplemonkey]

This is why I just drive across the border and pick up my packages. We are allowed $200 dollars no issue, and anything over that is at the officer's discretion.

 

[Ace McCool]

Here it is plain and simple with USPS shipping to Canada.

USPS First Class International - cheapest method, no "real" tracking number, under 4 lbs = NO CUSTOMS + TAXES

USPS Priority International - Tracking number = CUSTOMS + TAXES

Always ask the person to ship it First Class if it is under 4 lbs to avoid extra charges.

 

[brucered]

^ what he said.

I'm going to start using a border parcel service and pick them up on the USA side when I drive down every few months for road trips.

$5 a parcel, no duty or fees, cheaper shipping inside USA. I see no drawbacks if i plan my trips and purchases correctly and pick them up when I am down there long enough to claim $$ without border duty and taxes upon return.

companies and vendors are starting to limit shipping to USA only, so this is a great option for me to pick some of these items up....shaving related, eBay and other.

 

[daedpa]

(I am Canadian) I have been lucky because I only got nailed once in the last 10 years (jinx!) with items shipped USPS and that was last year on a $20 item shipped Priority which is odd because of the amount of high priced items I get out of the USA. I have found it lately sometimes cheaper to order out of the UK than either Canada or USA.

 

[Teapot]

Darn, it used to be only a $5 handling fee when it got hit though USPS...sucks to hear it's gone up to $10.