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Originally Posted by swatt13
So I was on ebay the other night and stumbled across an acessory (scope) that I wouldnt mind picking up, the seller ships via Hong Kong mail. Now my question is what kind of duties can get tacked on to this. The part is $50, shipping is $50, but what will duties be? Does it get shipped directly to canada, or does it get shipped to the states and then shipped up here? Do you pay duty on it coming into the states, and then duty on it coming to canada. If its shipped via mail there arent duties correct? And if it wasnt shipped via mail, how much would a guy expect. Anybody with definative advice would be appreciated.
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It should get shipped directly to Canada. If Canada Customs inspects it (happens most of the time) and the value is declared over like $40, you'll pay $5.00 for handling, and GST + PST most likely at the post office where you'll have to pay to pick up your package.
This applies for pretty much everything coming into Canada via mail. When you deal with different carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc...) things get screwy. Instead of the $5.00 handling, you'll pay their "brokerage fee" which can be anywhere from $10-$30. Somewhere in this fee, they'll sometimes cover the PST. Then you'll pay GST on top of that. Sometimes you'll pay the fee upfront, at your door when they deliver it. And they'll need exact change too. (FedEx) Sometimes they'll deliver it to you then charge the brokerage fee a week or two later. (sometimes UPS, FedEx) Sometimes they'll double charge you. (UPS - happened both times I dealt with them)
If for some reason they shipped it to the States, then Canada, then *somebody* will have to pay the duties for it to enter the US. It should be "them" but I wouldn't be surprised if they passed the costs onto you. Then of course you'll get hit from the US to Canada.
Couple of interesting notes from stuff coming from the US. If you don't have to pay any duty, Purolator is in charge of it. If you have to pay duty, Canada Post is in charge of it. EMS shipments from the US are supposed to cost $8 instead of the regular $5, and you might end up in a different category if the value is about $1000.