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Shipping from US to Canada

Hi everyone,

I've never bought anything over the net before, but would like to know how the US-CAN shipping works. Let's say I buy a headphone amp for 200 USD used ... will they charge me tax on this (even though it's used)? If I ship with UPS, which is the cheapest, can I tell the seller to fix the value at say, 50 USD (and hence, pay less tax), but still have UPS insure it for 200 USD? I figure this is not too outrageous since the purchase could be something with zero market value, but worth a lot for the individual.

Thank You.
monkeyking
blptwp
40 posts
 
Depends on what you are shipping. I have asked sellers to ship by USPS with good results, the cheapest and I have never lost anything with them. Don't use UPS, they are very expensive and they charge very high custom brokage fee.
natalie
404 posts
 
simple.Use only USPS.Have bought over 200 items in last 4 years never a proble.Used UPS once big problem.
monkeyking OP
2 posts
 
Hello everyone,

Thanks for the exellent response! I really apprieciate the information. I guess I should have been more specific in my question. What I plan to buy is a used power cord for 30 USD. According to the USPS online calculator, it's around 15 USD shipped to Toronto (Economy parcel 4-6 weeks!). Finding that 15 USD shipping is just too outrageous for such an item, I went to the UPS website. I calculated a 3lbs. item of 50x50x30 cm /w 100 USD insurance to be only 8.81 USD shipped to TO.

I'm now somewhat confused about the UPS "brokerage fee" that I read. Do they apply this to everything? ie. a 30 USD item? All I can say is this is very confusing and that I find the Canada Post website/calculator to be a lot better.

Thanks again for reading.

btw. the link to the USPS calculator results:

http://ircalc.usps.gov/speed.asp?Country=Canada&Pounds=3&Ounces=0&cmdSubmit=Continue&Contents=1
natalie
404 posts
 
Yes UPS being the criminals that they are will ding you about 30.00 Canadain to clear the package.They dont tell you this.Its called the UPS stick it in your ear charge.
The Package can be sent as a small packet.Shipping will be much less.than 15.00 about 6/7 US.USPS is your best choice.
bmw325
2 posts
 
UPS is horrible. Shipped a Palm V over to Canada a few years back got charged $100 for brokerage fees... The declared value was CAN$400.
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