I can speak from some experience receiving goods from the US to Canada so here are my comments in bullet form:
- taxes and duties will be charged on items coming into Canada based on their country of manufacture.
- if made in the USA then you will have to pay taxes only
- if made say in the UK you are subject to duties as well as taxes based on whatever the value of item is and where it fits into Canada Customs and Revenue's rules/regulations that pertain to products from the UK
- apparently there are no duties (but taxes) on new cd players coming into Canada from the US that are made in Japan ( I was not charged any taxes, only brokerage on my Sony SACD player from Oade Bros in Georgia using UPS). Not sure if this also applies to European manufacturers???
- taxes will be based on value in $US converted into Cdn $$
- in my experience taxes seem to be charged with no certain rules (I'm sure there are but they are never consistant)
- if you are receiving from USPS to Canada Post, Canada Post will collect all duties/taxes and charge you $5 Cdn for collecting your money on behalf of the Gov't.
- insure for replacement value or at least the amount you are out of pocket and yes make sure the declared and insured value are the same
- be sure to document that the item is "made in the USA" and is "used". A used item of lesser value may not receive any taxes - I stress "may not" as I have not paid taxes on $125 interconnects but paid taxes on a used $25 cd.
- USPS has been successful for me in the past with items that aren't too large (say 20lbs or less) and are valued at less than $250 US. Also had good success selling from Canada to the US also using Canada Post/USPS.
- UPS charges brokerage fees which typically cost around $50 Cdn for importation if you use their service. Apparently Fed Ex includes these fees in their rates which are no doubt more expensive - UPS is probably about the same when you factor in the shipping cost + brokerage.
- in my experience UPS in Canada will not ensure used audio gear unless you have Mailboxes Etc. pack it for you and purchase insurance through them. That way they soak you twice - once for insurance and the other for the packaging
- there is no COD cross-border, only within our respective countries
- you can always try and get money back from the Gov't but its a hassle and pretty well a lost cause unless you have everything documented. Ex I bought new cables from the US valued at $150 (but no currency detailed) for which I was not charged taxes but Customs opened the package to confirm the contents. They were faulty and were returned back to the US for repair. Upon their return to Canada I was charged taxes this time so who knows why they do what they do. Take Brian's comment to heart - don't screw around with Customs as you can lose your item without discussion and the "checking" has been heightened since 09/11.
- taxes and duties will be charged on items coming into Canada based on their country of manufacture.
- if made in the USA then you will have to pay taxes only
- if made say in the UK you are subject to duties as well as taxes based on whatever the value of item is and where it fits into Canada Customs and Revenue's rules/regulations that pertain to products from the UK
- apparently there are no duties (but taxes) on new cd players coming into Canada from the US that are made in Japan ( I was not charged any taxes, only brokerage on my Sony SACD player from Oade Bros in Georgia using UPS). Not sure if this also applies to European manufacturers???
- taxes will be based on value in $US converted into Cdn $$
- in my experience taxes seem to be charged with no certain rules (I'm sure there are but they are never consistant)
- if you are receiving from USPS to Canada Post, Canada Post will collect all duties/taxes and charge you $5 Cdn for collecting your money on behalf of the Gov't.
- insure for replacement value or at least the amount you are out of pocket and yes make sure the declared and insured value are the same
- be sure to document that the item is "made in the USA" and is "used". A used item of lesser value may not receive any taxes - I stress "may not" as I have not paid taxes on $125 interconnects but paid taxes on a used $25 cd.
- USPS has been successful for me in the past with items that aren't too large (say 20lbs or less) and are valued at less than $250 US. Also had good success selling from Canada to the US also using Canada Post/USPS.
- UPS charges brokerage fees which typically cost around $50 Cdn for importation if you use their service. Apparently Fed Ex includes these fees in their rates which are no doubt more expensive - UPS is probably about the same when you factor in the shipping cost + brokerage.
- in my experience UPS in Canada will not ensure used audio gear unless you have Mailboxes Etc. pack it for you and purchase insurance through them. That way they soak you twice - once for insurance and the other for the packaging
- there is no COD cross-border, only within our respective countries
- you can always try and get money back from the Gov't but its a hassle and pretty well a lost cause unless you have everything documented. Ex I bought new cables from the US valued at $150 (but no currency detailed) for which I was not charged taxes but Customs opened the package to confirm the contents. They were faulty and were returned back to the US for repair. Upon their return to Canada I was charged taxes this time so who knows why they do what they do. Take Brian's comment to heart - don't screw around with Customs as you can lose your item without discussion and the "checking" has been heightened since 09/11.