Off Topic Buying from Canada?

[s6275]

Hi guys,

I picked up a USA-made combo amp on eBay from an AB Canadian seller. The amp is probably close to 100 lbs., and I paid $420 USD for it, and $160 USD on top of that for shipping. On the seller's waybill, he marked that I would be responsible for duties and taxes.

When I noticed this, I called UPS to find out what I would be looking at, and I was told it could come in AROUND $400 FOR DUTIES AND TAXES? Can that be right?

I guess I'm looking for the experiences of those who have bought similar items from Canada. Any advice? I was expecting it to be closer to $30 or $40.

 

[grumpyoldman]

Hi guys,

I picked up a USA-made combo amp on eBay from an AB Canadian seller. The amp is probably close to 100 lbs., and I paid $420 USD for it, and $160 USD on top of that for shipping. On the seller's waybill, he marked that I would be responsible for duties and taxes.

When I noticed this, I called UPS to find out what I would be looking at, and I was told it could come in AROUND $400 FOR DUTIES AND TAXES? Can that be right?

I guess I'm looking for the experiences of those who have bought similar items from Canada. Any advice? I was expecting it to be closer to $30 or $40.

Depending on what it is, and how one receives it, it's the same way for us Canuckleheads buying from the USA as well. I have stuff shipped to the UPS Center in the city in Michigan directly across the river (and border, and therefore bridge too) from us, and I go to pick it up myself. I pay any taxes or duties at Customs and am on my way. Sometimes (and I ALWAYS claim my purchases), they will just wave me through and tell me to have a good day! No extra costs there.

If I were to have things shipped directly to my house, I would ALWAYS have to pay full pop on duties, taxes, shipping for BOTH countries (and carriers if they happen to change at the border), as well as Brokerage fees for the shipping company to handle the Customs exchanges at the border.

Fortunately, for me to cross and bring the stuff back over the border, it means a couple of hours total in my day (driving to and from, handling Customs on both sides of border, picking up the item), so that isn't bad at all.

I know that many who live any distance from a border crossing cannot do this, and will be subject to all the additional costs involved...and that sucks.

 

[morsecode]

Although, this has absolutely nothing to do with EBMM and problem isn't the best forum to ask this question, I would say that 1.) you should talk to another representative to get a more firm amount as there is likely specific schedules for these things (manufacturing location will likely dictate most of the fee, and 2.) a portion of that will be UPS's brokerage fee which is on top of there shipping fees and is the burden of the buyer. The lesson to be learned in this is when buying from another country especially when you're not familiar with the process, is always do your homework before you buy any item. I had to learn this myself the hard way and often wound up paying slightly more than I would have if had just bought an item here in Canada.

 

[s6275]

The boards offer us the option of posting "Off Topic" threads. I correctly labeled THIS thread as such. So no problem there.

Also, telling me what I SHOULD have done...not so helpful. I am an experienced eBayer, but I have never had an upcharge like THAT on my plate.

I just asked for experiences of others. From what I've read, going from Canada to the USA is a lot different from going from the USA to Canada.

Does anyone besides 'morsecode' have something helpful to say?

 

[Beth]

I'd ask UPS for an itemized invoice for the duties, taxes, brokerage fees, and any other charges. I find it hard to believe you're going to be paying 100% duty and tax on a USA-made amplifier. I've heard of 100% duty on products made in China going IN to Canada, but not on amps going into the US from Canada. If the seller was the one who classified the amplifier with a tariff code, you also might want to double-check it.

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[58super]

If its a USA made amp it should be duty free due to the Free Trade agreement.
Brokerage from US to Canada should be $25 to $50. I can't see how Canada to US would be that different. There's a lot of trade going back and forth each day.

 

[TimSz]

This is why I don't trust those filthy Albertans. Always up to no good!

 

[s6275]

Hmm...OK NOW things just got a bit more curious. UPS tracking shows a weight of 10 lbs. for an amp that should be close to 100 lbs. It is also showing two export scans...one from AB, and then ANOTHER from Minnesota. Is that normal?

The 10 lbs. thing is really starting to bother me.

 

[NickZ]

First rule is dont trust ups to give you accurate info and do their jobs prorly.
Without getting into lengthy details - as a small business owner and being the unfortunate whipping boy since all my suppliers choose to use ups to torture me - they have blundered close to 90 percent of their deliveries to me over the years on some level or another.

Has this been sorted out yet?