online shopping

[skharrison211]

I have read numerous snippets throughout the internet of Canadians successfully purchasing "equipment" online from US retailers.

What I haven't found is a clear "do's" and "don'ts" for the successful importation of equipment.

Is there anyone out there that has successfully imported equipment that can give me some tips?

Thank you in advance.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I have read numerous snippets throughout the internet of Canadians successfully purchasing "equipment" online from US retailers.

What I haven't found is a clear "do's" and "don'ts" for the successful importation of equipment.

Is there anyone out there that has successfully imported equipment that can give me some tips?

Thank you in advance.

I purchased many things in the US but you have to keep in mind there are lots of fees which get tacked on when that package crosses the border. Here is a link that I have used with several items which calculates border fees and it is pretty accurate and will give you a break down on all the extra fees you will have to pay. Many times it is not worth purchasing the goods from the united states after the shipping charge and border charges are added to the cost of the goods. I use the estimate from the website below to judge if it is worth purchasing the goods or not.

http://www.thefinalcost.com/




Tip

I good money saving tip is to broker the shipment yourself. This is the main bulk of the border charges and can save you a decent amount of money.

 

[Davemcc]

One thing I've found is that it's better to have the company ship by US Postal Service. The brokerage fees are much less and Canada Post drops it off. If you're not home, you pick it up at your closest local Canada Post branch. UPS and Purolator can add greatly to the cost.

Your best bet is to vacation in the States and take your annual personal exemption at the border to get it in duty free.

 

[Audioholics]

Shipping to Canada suuuuuuuuuuucks. If you guys would simply have fixed rates it would be fine, but typically (for the outlying areas) it's "Show up at the door and we'll make you guess how much you owe."

I hate how difficult your country makes shipping - and it's all duty-based. FedEx, etc have their stuff together. They just can't predict what mood the Canadians will be in when the items arrive.

We've seen tons of manufacturers label boxes of electronics as valued at $5 and classify them as something else entirely just to avoid the ridiculous duties, etc.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Shipping to Canada suuuuuuuuuuucks. If you guys would simply have fixed rates it would be fine, but typically (for the outlying areas) it's "Show up at the door and we'll make you guess how much you owe."

I hate how difficult your country makes shipping - and it's all duty-based. FedEx, etc have their stuff together. They just can't predict what mood the Canadians will be in when the items arrive.

We've seen tons of manufacturers label boxes of electronics as valued at $5 and classify them as something else entirely just to avoid the ridiculous duties, etc.

As long as you broker the shipment yourself there is nothing to worry about. The only variable charge is the brokerage fee. If you negate that charge by brokering the package yourself the only fees Canadians will have the pay is the fixed duty charge at 6.5% and GST and PST which we have to pay on all goods anyways. These rates are fixed so as long as you broker the shipment yourself there are no hidden fees you have to worry about when the package arrives.

The last shipment I recieved i did not broker...the total COD was $77.46. The brokerage fee alone was $40.05 of that amount.

What is more a deterrence for me from shopping in the states now is the shipping rates some of these companies are charging for their goods now.