Originally Posted by patc
I have ordered from both Nashbar and Performance. In addition in order about $5000-7000 of photo stuff every year for work. In general:
1) Thanks to NAFTA, there are no duties on most things imported into Canada from the USA. There are no duties on most (or all?) bike related items. If in doubt, call Canada Customs.
2) The importer (that's you) must pay GST and PST (or HST) on the total value of goods imported, including shipping costs. You will normally be asked to pay this at the door by Canada Post or the courier.
3) The delivery company can and will charge you a brokerage fee, and you usually have no option but to pay it or return the item.
This is were you can get really screwed!.
Canada Post - they only charge a few bucks for brokerage. US Air Parcel to Canada is pretty fast. Canada Post may open your package for inspection, usually because the shipper was lazy on the paperwork (e.g. "misc. bike parts"). If tracking is available it will usually only be updated twice - when shipped, and when delivered.
FedEx - check their web site for brokerage rates, they seem cheap but I haven't used them much. FedEx also often forgets to charge you for brokerage and tax. FedEx tracking is updated frequently, and includes an esitmated delivery date.
UPS -
Do not use UPS ground service to Canada! The brokerage fee will bankrupt you.
See this UPS chart. UPS Express or Expedited includes brokerage fees in the cost, are fast, and may not cost much more than Ground. UPS has gotten very lazy about tracking, I can no longer predict when something will arrive based on the tracking info. They also really, really damage boxes.
The biggest problem I have importing goods is with US retailers either not offering a range of shipping methods or saying one thing then using another service. For example using UPS Ground after I asked for USPS Air Parcel, which can add $40 or more in brokerage fees. As mentioned above some stores are not detailed enough on the paperwork, but the worst that will do is take an extra day clearing customs. Finally keep in mind that some things can't be shipped by air, which may include de-greasers and other solvents.
Oh yeah - if paying by credit card, check the exchange rate. They don't give you the current exchange but collect a bit more as a hidden service fee.
this guy speaks the truth (mostly)
SHIPPING/BROKERAGE:
UPS- NEVER USE UPS GROUND (AKA STANDARD) to ship stuff to canada. Brokerage fees will kill any deals you get by odering from the US. However if you get a deal on UPS Express or UPS Expedited, brokerage is included in the price!
FedEX- is marginally better, but still, the brokerage fees are pretty high
There is a way to get around brokerage fees if you live near the customs facility through which your package clears! probably only useful if you live in Vancouver or Montreal. Call ahead and say you'll act as your own broker. FedEx/UPS will have the package held at customs. you go there, fill out a few forms, pay your tax/duty and get your package. no brokerage fees!
USE USPS! Nashbar ships USPS to Canada, Performance uses FedEx Ground. Which is why operator and others have gotten dinged huge with brokerage. Canada post handles the packages on the Canadian side and only charge a
flat $5 brokerage fee regardless of the value of the shipment.
Downside is that tracking usually is unavailable, or when it is, it sucks.
Also, Canada Post/USPS packages may get delayed more at the border than UPS/FedEx stuff.
DUTY:
- most bike *parts* are duty free with a few exceptions: built wheels for example carry a 7% duty (I think) while unbuilt hubs/spokes/rims would be duty free. (then again I've bought several sets of wheels from the US without being hit with duty)
- complete bikes carry a 13% duty!
- see
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/p...005/ch87ne.pdf (PDF!) for duty rates
- there is duty on most clothing.
TAX:
- GST + PST (though there is no PST on bikes + parts in BC! woot!) on the *declared value* on the customs form. There is no tax on the shipping cost. No way to get around this unless you fudge the customs documents. however if the declared value is <$20 CAD. or <$60 and it's a "gift" it is
tax-free