Selling to Canadians


I've read about nightmares selling equipment to our neighbors north of the border and would like to have some guidance on how best to handle such a transaction. Is there an exchange rate issue? Also, what's the best way to ship (cables) -- and how are the duties handled? Is it a percentage of the sale price and, if so, do they go by the price new or the resale price? Thanks a lot for your help.
128x1289rw
My biggest complaint- Canadian buyers refusing to pay duties/taxes and these being billed back to me (sender from USA). For this reason I have stopped selling to Canadians unless I ship by US Postal service. I had to cover duties for 3 buyers over a period of 18 months- I finally QUIT offering items for Canadian buyers (except for small items shipped via USMail).
I recently sent via USPS my broken cartridge to a friend ( Agon member) who graciously offered to get it fixed via Local distributor (since US distributor won't do it). That was 4 weeks ago. It still has not reached its destination. USPS does not have a good story as to where it might be. Good thing it is a broken cartridge!

Although I have received a package successfully in the past from a same friend.
AS an honest buyer and a Canadian it is hard not to take offence to be grouped in with people who don,t take responsability for the full cost of importing items purchased . Really boils down to people not knowing the obligations of and legalities of duties and brokerage fees . The duty is not built by cost of item but original country of manufacture will determine the percentage of duty and the value is the price of the sale . Many products are excluded if made in Canada or the US because of Nafta rules . The real added costs come in the form of brokerage fees because when products are shipped across the border shipping companies do not always use or have their own brokers to produce paperwork and clearance of item . If an item is shipped fed ex ground with the perceived thought of saving money on shipping a seperate broker is used and 50 to a hundred dollar fee is added . The same item shipped fed ex air although initially more expensive to ship, the brokerage fees are built in because when item is air shipped they actually use there own brokerage set up . You get your item way faster with less handling and no surprise fees afterwards and cheaper in the long run . The added duty is dependant upon the country of manufacture and is and should be the total responsability of the BUYER . I have yet to run into any disreputal dirtbags selling on this site or others so far and thankfully so . However if and when it does happen to me I won,t group him or her in with the Americans or Canadians but rather in that minority which nationality is not their common thread but rather dishonesty is . Unfortunately those few will always be lerking . I really enjoy this site and beleive the good and honest people far outway the "few" .
I have sent letters to Canada and in some cases it has taken weeks to reach their destination. I can offer no explanation.
Maybe they forgot to feed the sled dogs eh?
On the other hand I have had smooth transactions as well.
I've never had any issues in selling to Canada. The key is to know what's involved and agree on who pays for what. Same as you would for a US deal. There's a little more effort involved sometime (is to deal with the post office forms), but that's hardly enough to decline good money from an honest trader.