Canadian Shipping

[karlthev]

Sure do want to get the best use of my money here so, can anyone suggest the best way or best ways to ship a light into Canada (from overseas) and pay a reasonable amount of money for duty/excise taxes, destination charges? I don't want to find that these are going to increase the cost of a light exorbatantly yet I'd like some form of protection (insurance?) in the unlikely event of a loss. The name of the best carrier would be helpful as well. If it may be better to PM me, that's fine as well. Thanks!


karl

 

[PhotonBoy]

I've been buying lights (lots of them) from the US since 2003. I always try to have them shipped via USPS. I've *never* paid a nickel in GST, HST, customs, duties, excise or whatever. In all that time, only 1 light disappeared in the mail system.

 

[derfyled]

I've been buying lights (lots of them) from the US since 2003. I always try to have them shipped via USPS. I've *never* paid a nickel in GST, HST, customs, duties, excise or whatever. In all that time, only 1 light disappeared in the mail system.

Almost same here. The only time I paid some taxes was when I bought an HDS directely from HDS SYSTEMS, maybe because of the declared value. The old trick is to declare the item as a gift.

I bought over 40 lights from USA, always shipped by USPS and I NEVER had a "disappeared" light.

 

[HighLight]

I live in Canada and will only purchase lights which are shipped via USPS. I had items shipped to me via UPS and got dinged with duty and UPS processing/paperwork fees. Once a $15.00 item ended up costing me $65.00. Once bitten, twice shy. YMMV

 

[Black Rose]

Whenever you are having something shipped from the US to Canada, avoid UPS at all costs!!!!!

USPS is the ideal shipping method, but if you have to use a courier company, go with FedEx - at least their fees are sane.

 

[PhotonBoy]

UPS, Fedex, Purolator etc. charge brokerage fees on top of everything. Again, USPS is really the best way unless you absolutely need guaranteed delivery.

 

[karlthev]

Thanks! Any experience getting something in from Europe and the best way to ship from there?


Karl

 

[WildChild]

Always make sure USPS is used for shipping because UPS/FedEX charges duties/taxes as soon as they can to get their brokerage fees (pretty overkill). With USPS/Canada Posts, you may end up paying taxes + $5 or $8 for administration fees, which is not that bad. Also, you are supposed to pay taxes + duties (duties for items not made in USA) for a value of $20 or more but with my experience, I never got charged anything when the declared value was under $100, gift or not! And for a value over $100, the $5-$8 administration fees don't increase the total price that much.