----- Original Message ----- From: "David Madsen" Subject: OT:shipping to Canada
> Can anyone tell me if there would be any duties or customs charges if I > shipped a used item from the US to Canada using UPS? > > David Madsen > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.davidmadsen.com A used item will come into Canada owing GST on the declared value, and depending on what the item is, it may also be subject to import duties and excise taxes. In addition, UPS will tack on what it calls a brokerage fee, which will be a minumum of (I believe) C$20.00, or 15% of the declared value + any duties, whichever is greater. In the event that the package is opened for valuation at the border, the declared value may be ignored, and all charges would then be based on a valueation that Canada Customs assigns to it. Generally, this valuation is greater than the declared value. Of course this also raises the amount of brokerage that UPS charges. If the person you are shipping to is actually home to recieve the shipment, then there is a possibility that UPS will put the parcel into your customer's hands, but this is a possibility only. More likely, UPS will abandon the shipment in the vicinity of your customer's property line, perhaps on his property, perhaps not. If this is the case, your customer might recieve his shipment, or it may be picked up off the street by a third party. Either way, UPS doesn't care, and they will charge out what they feel is their fair share, and will send the matter to a collection agent with no recourse to the shippee, whether or not the delivery was made, stolen by the driver, or otherwise lost in transit. I strongly advise anyone shipping goods to Canada to use any shipping method other than United Parcel Service, and for any Canadian buying from an out of country shipper to refuse to do business with any person who insists upon using United Parcel Service as a shipper into Canada. William Robb
