Canadian customs fees?

[Hitch]

Hey

So I am thinking of placing a large order through an international supplier (non livestock), and I have been inquiring about the Canadian customs fees.

The supplier is paying for the customs on their side, but I would need to pay the Canadian side. This I have no problems with, but the thing is that how would I go about inquiring the status of the shipment? would the customs officer inform me when the parcel reached the border? would I have to check myself on a constant basis? generally confused about how the procedure works.

The Canadian Border Services Agency website is to say the least confusing.

Anyone have experience with this in the past and wouldnt mind passing on some knowledge?

Thanks a million.

[CanadaPleco]

If you order from kensfish.com there is almost zero customs the way he ships it. I have actually never paid for any customs from him... It seems UPS screws you the most as they use their own brokerage company and its EXPENSIVE! No matter what if they ship with UPS you will get hit hard with customs and brokerage. USPS seems to be the best about getting around customs totally.

[Hitch]

thanks Rich.

But its not through Ken's fish, Its a German manufacturer of pleco caves. I have been in a lot of conversation with them regarding a possible order...but just need to figure out this last little bump on the road.

Its not through UPS...they use German Post...which I have no idea the custom is like...:/

[Catsaholic]

Louis, I sent you PM

[Hitch]

Louis, I sent you PM

u got mail :)

[Bwhiskered]

Whats so special about German caves? Do the fish care where they are made? They are bound to be pricey. One of my King Tigers prefers his small vase from Dollarama.

[Hitch]

Its purely an aesthetic thing for me, they just fit my design of the tank. And no they are that expensive, averages out to about $10 Canadian per.

Since I have no stable fishroom right now and that all of my tanks and fish move when I move, I make each and everyone of my tanks a display XD.

[Romulous]

unless there is a brokerage fee from a courier it should only be taxes on whatever the cost of the goods entering into the country

[FISHNUTS]

I have had MANY items sent to me from across the border but never from Germany. If you use a courier they will charge you a brokerage fee. If you have it mailed Canada post will charge you a brokerage fee but it is only 5$. UPS is 35-50$ (those crooks) I have found that 9 times out of 10 Canada post just waves any kind of fee and the package just shows up at my door. (sometimes opened to inspect and resealed)
However when I have ordered about 2-3 items right after each other within the month Canada Post will charge me the brokerage fees plus the GST and some other stupid tax.
Make sure you get a tracking number if it is being mailed, costs a little more but worth it.

If you are having it sent in the courier you can do the brokerage yourself. When the package arrives the courier will come to your door and will ask if you want to accept the charges, just say no. They should give you some kind of paper OR you have to go to the courier depot to get the paper work.
This paper tells Cananda Customs what the item is. Go to Canada Customes, pay the taxes and they will give you a release paper that goes to the courier. Take that paper back to the courier and the package is released to you. That simple.


When at Canada Customs follow the below instructions.
If it is a e-bay item have printed copies of the actual auction and e-bay item number. Believe me Canada Customs will check it out right there. Also have the website address from where you ordered the stuff from. This will save you time instead of making Canada Customs inspecting the package themselves if they choose to do so.
The only real thing Canada Customs want to know is what is in the package, is it legit, and how much tax to charge you. If you have that in order it is making it simple for them, and they are happy.

sl

[Hitch]

thanks guys...boy that was detailed. XD