| Author |
 Replies: 17 / Views: 1,933 |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1931 Posts |
Hi everyone,
I recently received a package of coins that was sent to me obviously with postage paid before hand by the sender. When I went to pick up this package it had a label on it that said amount due: $24.50 I was informed by the postal clerk that this was a customs charge consisting of taxes. The package was sent from the US to me in Canada.
I am new to shipping packages and trying to find out if this is the normal thing that happens? I am concerned about future packages as it is one thing to pay for a few coins I like plus shipping but it's altogether a different story if there will also be a charge of $25.00 more once it gets here.
Any help and advice on shipping would be GREATLY appreciated.
thanks
Malissa
|
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
128 Posts |
I would start with http://www.usps.com/ and then check with your Canadian post office to ask for clarification. Also check with the seller if possible to see if they can explain. But I would first check with both Government Post Services so that you will be knowledgable when communicating with seller. Review the terms of sellers agreement. Did they charge insurance etc. It is a start! |
|
Valued Member
United States
271 Posts |
what did they put down as the contents? did they list the value as being very high? perhaps that had something to do with customs charging the tax on your package?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
1040 Posts |
Unfortunately this happens a lot with packages sent to Canada, you have a tax on imports into your country that is equal to a percentage of the value in dollar terms.
You need to ask people sending you stuff to play down the value, or write it as a gift. Some will, dealers usually wont.
It is a fee imposed by your government and nothing to do with the sender of the package. Sorry for the bad news.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 Canada
1931 Posts |
that sucks. the value on the package was listed as 150.00 and described as exomunia or something like that.
|
|
Forum Dad
 United States
24163 Posts |
That's your country charging you an import tax. It has nothing to do with the seller whatsoever.
If the seller lies on the customs form they are in violation of US Federal law. We've had buyers complain to us about it. The response to these complaints is very simple... "We are not risking losing our business and going to jail to help you cheat on your taxes."
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1931 Posts |
It's the first package I ever got so I guess I just wish I had known. Now I guess I know better. But here's another question, if I am shipping to the states is the same thing going to happen to the people I ship to?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
1040 Posts |
Sorry Malissa, far as I know it only happens in Canada.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1931 Posts |
ok, well that is good at least. I wouldn't have wanted to not know for sure and then someone ends up with a fee when I send stuff. Thanks for all the info guys, it helps me know what the heck I'm doing. lol
|
|
New Member
United States
42 Posts |
Sorry to say that this happens in most countries outside the U.S. As it was said for those who purchase anything from America and live outside, you should expect customs charges. If you purchase from ebay, it is worth looking to see if your country's ebay has similar items and whether the cost of buying the item in your country is less than the cost of buying in the U.S. by internet PLUS the customs charges... |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Nations will try to make money wherever and whenever they can find the opportunity to do so I'm afraid !!.......  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1415 Posts |
eaglefoot said: Quote:
Nations will try to make money wherever and whenever they can I think that should be - Nations will TAKE your money - they can print as much of it as they want!  |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Customs fee is basically the sales/VA tax you pay for "free" health care. IIRC, while it varies by location, for Canadian buyers it's around 17% of anything over $20. This pretty closely matches your numbers. I've never heard of US buyers having to pay customs on typical incoming shipments.
Nothing personal, but because of this, Canadian buyers are the worst about asking sellers to declare a false low value on customs. Not only is this illegal, as Bobby pointed out, but if an item is lost, insurance won't cover more than the LOWER of declared value or insured value.
One BIG warning to Canadian buyers is NEVER use UPS. If you check the rates, it sometimes looks like it's cheaper to ship UPS than USPS. What they DON'T tell you is that UPS charges $25-35 for anything they take thru customs, PLUS the customs charge. IIRC, USPS charges a maximum of $5, and usually nothing.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1931 Posts |
wow! no ups for me then. I didnt know that either. I didnt mind really that there was a value declared, it was just that I wasn't prepared for it. Also the value declared was actually higher than the actual value of the coins so that made the customs charge higher. I have sent emails to the people about to send me things not actually asking them not declare value, just to not declare a value that is higher than the actual worth and maybe the customs tax won't be quite so high. I would think that it wouldn't be too smart to ask for there to be no value declared at all because then you wouldnt have any insurance value.
anyway, I learned a lot from this post and the sender had actually offered to send me the cost of the customs charge but that wouldn't be fair as it was probably my responsibility to know the rules before I ordered things to be shipped to me.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
This is all news to me. I never knew that shipping to Canada had any issues.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Quote:
Also the value declared was actually higher than the actual value of the coins so that made the customs charge higher. If a seller is stating the customs value in excess of actual replacement value, I would be livid  especially if it is overstated by a significant margin. That does nothing for them and it costs you extra money so it makes no sense why someone would do that other than out of sheer ignorance(or spite). If the seller is willing, you should request a refund for the excess customs tax that was imposed upon you by value overstatement. |
| |
Replies: 17 / Views: 1,933 |
Posted 08/13/2008 12:03 am
