Purchasing Canadian items for US consumption. Brokerage fees? (Page 2/3)
Patrick MAR 20, 04:02 PM

quote
Originally posted by Mickey_Moose:

I have never had to pay duty on anything on got in the mail or other.



I never had to in the past either. Maybe that's now changed.


quote
Originally posted by Mickey_Moose:

$200 is 24 hours.



Yes, that's the regulation... but the reference I made earlier about being "waived" through the border with up to $200 worth of merchandise was in regards to being in the States for less than 24 hours. Pre-pandemic, I was crossing the border three or four times a year, just to collect stuff I had ordered through eBay from American vendors (held at a drop-ship location). When asked by Canadian border agents on my return trip how long I had been in the US, my standard response would be... "About 45 minutes". Sometimes they would ask to see invoices for the items (which I'd print out before I went down), and then they'd (usually) just say "Have a good day".
maryjane MAR 21, 12:12 PM
This is kinda (ok, a lot) off topic Patrick but Canadian singer Corb Lund made a song about crossing the border. Had nothing to do with items they bought tho but it's pretty funny ...
Bible on the Dash..
Raydar MAR 21, 04:50 PM
Well, it's been several weeks and I still haven't gotten a bill from the post office.

I talked with a French-Canadian friend of mine (didn't think about that, earlier) who lives close by, in the states.
He said that, in his experience, packages mailed from US to Canada will result in the recipient being charged "duty" or "brokerage" or whatever. But he said the reverse does NOT incur a charge, in the states.

If that's true, it works for me. I suppose that time will tell. Or not...

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 03-21-2024).]

Patrick MAR 21, 07:25 PM

quote
Originally posted by maryjane:

This is kinda (ok, a lot) off topic Patrick but Canadian singer Corb Lund made a song about crossing the border. Had nothing to do with items they bought tho but it's pretty funny ...
Bible on the Dash...



It never ceases to amaze me how Canadian country singers (as well as the "Mountie" in this video) have southern US accents.
maryjane MAR 21, 08:30 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

It never ceases to amaze me how Canadian country singers (as well as the "Mountie" in this video) have southern US accents.



The Mountie in that video is one of the band members..
Patrick MAR 21, 09:54 PM

quote
Originally posted by maryjane:

The Mountie in that video is one of the band members.



Heh heh, I didn't think for a millisecond that it was a real Mountie.
theogre MAR 24, 08:22 PM
Duty not = to Broker Fees
No time to explain but isn't.

Ship via UPS & some others have Brokers of their own & any Broker fee is in the price. Ship via USPS & some other gov mail systems many times will charge you extra fees/taxes including broker fee.

Caution: China vendors & some others Often put Bogus Info that can get You in Trouble w/ Customs, State/Fed for Taxes, etc. depending just what they see during inspecting. Same can happen if you fill out 1 to many forms wrong depending just what you shipped.

Example: Many Chinese Shipments to UK got blocked or big time delayed because Bogus data on shipping label did not match product to avoid UK VAT etc or products are Banned outright.

If USPS etc have billed you, ignoring will cost you more as late fees & if ignored long enough you have to deal w/ Postal Inspector, Customs & other law enforcement &/or getting Sued.

Note that VAT & some other taxes depends on just what is shipped. So VAT rate for a X things often isn't same Y thing neither is same as Z thing.

And that's ignoring many things are heavily regulated or banned to ship many things to several countries requiring Gov License or Block leaving US & can fine or arrest the sender.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

maryjane MAR 24, 08:27 PM
I'm still waiting for may Alibaba popcorn cannon that was supposed to include a Chinese bride/housekeeper/pool girl..
Patrick MAR 24, 08:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

Duty not = to Broker Fees
No time to explain but isn't.



Did anyone here suggest it was? Canada Post calls their brokerage fee a collection fee.


quote
Originally posted by Patrick Here:

In my case, Canada Post would not release the package to me until I paid the taxes, duty, and "collection" fee.
Patrick MAR 24, 08:57 PM

quote
Originally posted by maryjane:

I'm still waiting for may Alibaba popcorn cannon that was supposed to include a Chinese bride/housekeeper/pool girl...



I suspect Jane intercepted and refused that shipment.