Help, is there customs fees for a camera entering the USA from Canada?

[Vickko]

Help, is there customs fees for a camera entering the USA from Canada?

I thought there were no customs or duties fees, for entering the USA from Canada.

Are there?

Vick

 

[jan normandale]

to be specific check the CRA docs. The last one I had was about 6 years old and it exempted most but not all 35mm camera equipment. That has no bearing on CRA collecting taxes such as GST PST or HST. Incoming goods are all subject to those taxes.

Here's the CRA link : http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

 

[jan normandale]

to be specific check the CRA docs. The last one I had was about 6 years old and it exempted most but not all 35mm camera equipment. That has no bearing on CRA collecting taxes such as GST PST or HST. Incoming goods are all subject to those taxes.

Here's the CRA link : http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

FWIW: If this is about a charge for 'customs fees' from a 'courier' like UPS or Fedex... it's wrong but they won't release your goods to you unless you pay. I have had an ongoing fight with both of these courier companies for 4 years about this specific issue. Good luck with that!

 

[tlitody]

I sent some stuff to the USA from the UK. The guy requested that I use FedEx because he never got charged import duties when it came via FedEx. I suspect they have an "arrangement" with customs where they pay an amount based on known total values of stuff passing through which speeds up delivery and reduces customs work. Just guessing really but he didn't have to pay anything on a £1000 pound item which said as much on the FedEx documentation which went with it. But FedEx is very expensive which, I suspect, is partially this import duty paid in advance.
Anyone know if this is correct or not?

 

[Vickko]

Thanks

To be specific, the American buyer is asking me to pay "customs and duty" fees, because I want to ship via FEDEX. FEDEX will insure up to the value of the camera ($3.5K). Canada Post will only insure up to $1K, not enough for me to be comfortable.

So, how much did FEDEX charge to release a package in the USA?

Vick

 

[Beemermark]

There are no custom duties - However (and it's a big however), Customs can decide to inspect the package to verify the contents. If they make this decision they send it to a broker (read government contractor) who will charge to open, inspect and repack. They charge at least $35, and frequently more to do this. If you don't pay the fee then it goes up for auction. Of course they probably don't inspect stuff with a low declared value or minimal insurance. It it is over $2500 it's almost a given.

My experience with FedEx and UPS ( stopped using them a long time ago) is that every thing seems to get opened and inspected (is there a connection because FedEx is a USPS contractor)? Regular post office rarely gets inspected. Best advice is to send USPS Air Mail.

I'd pass if the buyer insists on FedEx and you paying "maybe" fees.

 

[Vickko]

Hmmm, thanks Beemermark

Vick

 

[tlitody]

Buyer always pays import fees. You pay export fees. That's how the real world works. What your buyer is asking for is effectively a discounted price. It's your call whether you want to give that discount or not.

 

[Rob-F]

IAfter having gotten burned by so-called "customs fees" when UPS sent my slide projector purchase UPS, I now insist that all Canadian purchases be sent via Canada Post. The USA portion of the shipping then goes to US Postal Service, who does not find it necessary to involve customs.

So: for me, it's either Canada Post/USPS, or I don't buy. I contact the seller in advance.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have never been charged for an item coming in USPS, and they insure for much more than $1000. FED-EX and UPS: they charge. EXPRESS MAIL, not Priority Mail- charges in some countries depending who gets the delivery contract.

So drive it to the South of the Border and ship it.

 

[ChipMcD]

I have bought a number of items from Canadian sellers, but none were over $1,000 US. All came via Canada Post without a hitch, or paying any import duties.

 

[R.MacDonald]

I bought an M6 from KEH in December. It was shipped via UPS. A month after I received the body I got a letter in the mail saying I owed them $200 for brokerage fees, which I have yet to pay. Has this sort of thing happened to anyone else in Canada?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Interesting. If I choose International Priority Mail, I am limited to $675 insurance. If I select EXPRESS MAIL INTERNATIONAL, I can select up to $5000.

I received a Nikon SP from Japan using Express Mail, it came into the post office and I did not pay customs. Try sending it Express Mail International.

 

[Vickko]

Yep, been screwed over by UPS many times.

Vick

I bought an M6 from KEH in December. It was shipped via UPS. A month after I received the body I got a letter in the mail saying I owed them $200 for brokerage fees, which I have yet to pay. Has this sort of thing happened to anyone else in Canada?

 

[skibeerr]

So far I have had good experiences shipping with EMS.

Fedex, UPS, DHL and the likes are great for very expensive items and companies.
These couriers do the work for the customs so their parcels pass the borders quickly, meaning you always pay tax and an extra fee.

These costs, however sour these grapes are, normally are carried by the buyer.

w

 

[Wags]

I'm using shipito.com which provides me with a US address and forwards packages onwards. The advantage is in their volume, fedex and dhl provide massive discounts on shipping. You fill out your own customs forms but I'm not advocating being dishonest as if they open your package and see the invoice, you might be in it deep. My last order I saved $91.00 on a $210.00 fedex shipping fee. This could help offset any taxes you might have to pay.

You choose your shipping method, they show prices for all options.

 

[VictorM.]

Yes! UPS are infamous for high brokerage (in addition to taxes and 'duty') fees. There is a class action suit against them in Western Canada and the CRA is investigating them.

NEVER use UPS for anything.

I bought an M6 from KEH in December. It was shipped via UPS. A month after I received the body I got a letter in the mail saying I owed them $200 for brokerage fees, which I have yet to pay. Has this sort of thing happened to anyone else in Canada?

 

[barnwulf]

I live in the US and have bought a few cameras etc, from Canadian sources and I think it was Canadian Post, and I never had to paid anything. It always came to me through USPS. Jim

 

[dfoo]

FedEx, UPS charge brokerage fees to ship from the US to Canada. I'm not sure about the converse. However, so do USPS/Canadapost. The difference is that USPS/Canadapost charges a flat rate $5 fee. UPS/Fedex have all sorts of fees, some reasonable most not.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Twice I have purchased stuff from Canadian vendors. Once it was a teleconverter, and then a camera lens. I think I also bought a Konica S2 from someone in the big, white North... and I never paid a dime extra on customs or anything other than the shipping involved in the deal.

Now... all those items were delivered by the USPS. 🙂