OT: Buying from Canada to the US, customs charges?

[rich815]

Just a quick question that I hope someone else has had experience on. I recently bought some gear from a seller in the UK. He shipped it to me FedEx International Economy. It came in 2 days and there was no customs charge nor customs delay. I just won an auction on another item being sold by a Canadian outfit. They normally ship standard post air but since I am heading to Joshua Tree National Park late next week I called and asked him to send it FedEx International Economy which only adds a nominal amount to the shipping. The guy in the UK (a private seller) put $50 on the customs slip even though my gear from him was $1200. The Canadian outfit is a business and they said they must put the true value ($500) on the customs slip. Does anyone know if I have this lens shipped me from Ottawa using Fed Ex if there will be a US Customs charge or delay? Thanks.

 

[Mike Kovacs]

NAFTA - we have free trade. I have never paid duty on a camera coming the opposite way. Only Canadian sales tax.

 

[rich815]

Thanks Mike. 😀 😀 😀

 

[former member]

I "think" the customs charge is 10% of the amount over $400.

 

[spenny]

Canada customs

Canada customs

Because of NAFTA any items manufactured in either Canada or the US are supposed to move duty free in either direction. But if the place of manufacture is elsewhere
e.g. Germany, as in Leica, then a 6% duty applies when it comes into Canada. The fact that it was shipped from the US is irrelevant. The place of manufacture is the key.

Having said that, my experience is that I have received items on which duty should apply but did not and vice-versa. The Customs siuation in Canada seems inconsistent to say the least. What happens on the US side is outside my experience.

One further thought, if the shipper is FedX, for example, a whopping Broker's fee is often added on.

 

[former member]

http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/0601c90.pdf

Found the above. I "Think" Canada is category 1. Category 2 seems to be limited to Cuba and Korea?

http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/0601gn.pdf#page=3

You can thank me later.... much later....

 

[furcafe]

Ha, welcome to my world!

Yes, Canada, like most countries, is in Column 1.

9006.53.00 is probably the closest HTS # for most 35mm RF gear.

http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/0601c90.pdf

Found the above. I "Think" Canada is category 1. Category 2 seems to be limited to Cuba and Korea?

http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/0601gn.pdf#page=3

You can thank me later.... much later....

 

[jan normandale]

For goods coming into Canada the CCR guide provides for no duty on 35 mm cameras. The applicable information is

Canada Customs and Revenue Customs
Tariff Regulation Section 9006.51.00 00

What the US Regulation is I have no idea. However it would seem if a foreign camera was moving into the US from Canada the same logic would apply.

Note : this does not exempt Canadian taxes being collect for goods comint into Canada and I doubt the US is different there either. Expect some Federal / State taxes on the camera as if you were buying it in a store where you live.

Issue is stores have to declare value for insurance purposes. An individual does not unless you specifically ask for it.

I'm sure this made it all clear as mud.

Be prepared to pay something if it's Fedex or UPS. Strangely the government Postal Services don't seem to bother... don't ask and you don't spoil a good thing I guess

 

[Andrew Touchon]

When I purchased a Minolta Lens from a Canadian I was not charged customs fees. The lens cost and was insured for approximately $275 and was shipped to me in Virginia VIA Canada Post.

 

[rich815]

Ooooookay........so now it's all clear..... 😕

It's being sent FedEx. I'll report back what happens....