Paying Duty on Chalet from the US

[Pierre-D]

Hello everyone.

I am thinking of purchasing a piece of Chalet online from the US (so far, every piece I've ever purchased has been from Canada). I know that I would have to pay PST-GST, as well as Canada Post's brokerage fee of $8.50, but I was wondering if I would also have to pay duty. I can't seem to get a straight forward answer on the Web. I'm hoping one of you might know. Have any of you ever had to pay duty when purchasing a piece from the States?

Thanks!
Pierre

[chaletcollector]

I have bought a number of things from the States... I don't think I was ever charged duty for any Chalet piece though, especially not while using Canada Post/USPS. I don't think I have ever paid brokerage fees either! The few times where I have been charged by Canada Post/USPS (again, not for any Chalet piece), it was only $5. This is just my experience though, I would wait to hear from others just to confirm, or, be prepared to pay the possible cost (if they don't charge, then bonus!).

[sassy glassy]

My experience with customs charges is this: if they decide to "look" at it,it will end up costing you at least 15.00.This appears to be handling charges and taxes(guess that's the brokerage fee you noted).This also means they have not even opened it--just passed it along.
Another scenario is when they do open it and then seem to calculate higher duty costs.My favourite(and most frequent) is when it arrives home-free.And unbroken!
Also--it appears that country of origin/manufacture doesn't really seem to enter into whether duty is applied or not;so Canadian glass coming back to Canada,doesn't seem to be exempt.
My big concern is always dealing with the inconsistent and wildly varying local P.O.'s application of their federal USPS regulations in case of loss,breakage of insured pieces.

[deborah]

Hi Pierre,

I have had to pay duty a few times (3 times) and can be quite expensive - depends on the value of the customs declaration. The times when I have had to pay is when the seller has designated it as a "Gift" instead of "Other" and that has happened when the seller is not experienced with shipping outside of the U.S. If you make sure that they filled out the Customs Declaration properly, you should be fine.

I was charged $38.00 on a piece from Nebraska and the value was declared at $150.00 - was not pleased!

Deborah

[Pierre-D]

Thanks everyone!

[cbrunett]

Just to add a few comments. I believe the magic number is $50. Items with a declared value of more than $50 are subject to customs/duties. If it is less than $50, you won't be charged. I have definitely had stuff with a declared value greater than $50 not charged duties but it just depends if you get lucky. I find particularly around the holiday season, customs tends to be more forgiving on charges.

The other challenge is that some of the package delivery companies charge a brokerage fee. I try and avoid using UPS as they used to have (don't know if they still do) a $25 brokerage fee. I had a package arrive that had $1.50 in customs fees and $25 brokerage fees on top. Boy was I not happy. After that I would never order a package to be delivered by UPS from the US. Fedex also charges brokerage fees on top of customs. USPS/Canada Post just charge the custom/duties but I don't think they charge anything on top of that. So that is your best bet for lowest possible fees.

[Pierre-D]

Thanks for the info!

[langhaugh]

I've bought a fair bit of glass both from Europe and the US (about 600 parcels, maybe) and, as long as it's the Post Office delivering it, I'm seldom charged duty. It almost seems random. Value, country of origin, gift (I tell sellers not to lie), none of these seem to be the reason for the occasional charges. My postwoman agrees with me that it seems to be random. The few times I've been charged, it's between $10 and $20.

The advice to stay away from UPS is good advice. They want brokerage fees, including custom charges, up front, before they deliver it. The last two times UPS delivered the costs were over $50. Most sellers in the US are very helpful, although the number not shipping to Canada is growing. I now have a parcel service just over the border in Blaine, WA (I live about 8 miles from the border), which saves me money. I use Nexus, always declare what I'm picking up and I still save money.

David

[Thumper]

Hi, I won't usually buy from across the border unless they are willing send thru USPS as there are usually less extra dollars added on at the border. I also have bought something for very cheap and had the "handling fee" added on that was 4 times the amount that the purchase was. I ask right up front about sending it my way and explain that there are extra fees when sent UPS or Fedex to Canada and have had a few people say that they weren't aware of such high extra charges. Most will work with you so it NEVER hurts to ask.
Bob.

[Glassman]

When it comes to paying Duty I think they just charge you whatever they feel like, when and if they feel like doing it. I've paid any where from 5 to 40 dollars. The most expensive ones I bought I never paid any duty on , so go figure. Just buy it and see what happens.

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