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Shipping Floor Standing Speakers to the US from Canada

I have a pair of floor standing speakers for sale ~($7250 CAD - 110 lbs each). I have an offer to purchase from the US. Shipping is not so bad as you have to ship via Freight and the ground services are pretty good, as long as you really package well. Double boxed and padded all to heck. The issue comes up with customs clearance.

US Customs calls this a commercial shipment because it is over $2000. A number of customs brokers and I have looked at the duties and under the US Universal Tariff Codes for 2021 (8518.22) the Loudspeakers look to be duty free. You would think life was easy, ...no way. Each broker comes up with a list of fees, bonds, extra insurance and on and on that costs $100's of dollars, not just $50. Even with no duty.

Has anyone done this process before and come up with an economic way of clearing US customs? I have tried UPS and FEDEX regarding these issues.

wbrownaudio

Showing 1 response by oldhvymec

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 

I think you need to go freight, and you need to deal with the freight side of their business. Fedex ground is not Fedex freight. Sometimes that's not clear to people..
Same deal with UPS. UPS Ground is not UPS Freight.

I use to send drill parts to Canada and Visa Versa. Portal 2 portal, wasn't uncommon either. They drop off at the freight distribution warehouse, and you pick up at the freight distribution warehouse. Normally there is no loading fees as long as THEY can use a forklift..

The border crossing fees were always fuzzy, wording was really important. Made in Canada, being repaired in Canada, and being sold to the US all have different cost. Just like if your Returning a repaired pair of speakers vs Selling a pair of speakers.

Ask them what the cost is for a two way there and back? Cancel the way back, as an unused warranty option. There were a couple of legal (semi-honest) options. ;-)

Regards

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