I shipped a kite from the US to a guy in Canada. I put a lot of insurance on the kite (flysurfer) that way I would know that he could get his money in case something bad happend to it. What I didn't know is that he would have to pay a 175$ customs/tax fee for the kite!!!!! I am so sorry for the inconvenience. So for anybody in the future, if you are going to ship kite product to Canada make sure that you claim it as a GIFT!!! I am really embarassed about this problem, but i think others should know for the future. Sorry Dave

I'm just N. of Toronto, and have purchased several kites on e-Bay from the states. Some tips:
- Customs fees are based on the insured / declared value
- Canadian owned kites being returned from a US repair shop are not subject to customs fees
- Not all shipments are charged customs fees. A mystery...
- Best luck with USPS, not UPS

This applies to most other countries as well not just Canada.

Quote:

Originally posted by flyjump I shipped a kite from the US to a guy in Canada. I put a lot of insurance on the kite (flysurfer) that way I would know that he could get his money in case something bad happend to it. What I didn't know is that he would have to pay a 175$ customs/tax fee for the kite!!!!! I am so sorry for the inconvenience. So for anybody in the future, if you are going to ship kite product to Canada make sure that you claim it as a GIFT!!! I am really embarassed about this problem, but i think others should know for the future. Sorry Dave

Ouch!!
whom did you ship with?
i recently received (from the hatteras ) a big FS (via USPS). the seller insured for max value (i think ~$650).
i paid $52CAD when i picked up at Canada Post.
Paul

USPS, but I put a lot of insurance on it so it would be safe. I didn't know there is a tax on the recieving end

I don't think it had anything to do with the insurance - it's the declared value and having not been labeled as a gift. These two combined mean that the receiver has to pay the equivalent of our sales tax (as if we had bought it up here). It's because Canada Customs assumes all incoming packages not marked as a gift as a business transaction (purchase) and they want their piece of the action. How on earth they can retroactively claim they are owed taxes on a purchase made outside of the country will forever be beyond my comprehension.

For some that can be as low as 5%, for some as high as 15% on the declared value of the item being shipped. I had my Access XC and my bullet cam shipped up to me by a friend in Arizona. Declared it as a gift but insured it for $1500. I paid nothing at my door.

.....and NEVER ship anything to us poor canucks via UPS.......insane flat rate brokerage fees ($50 and upwards) on anything over $20 value.

Yeah I get pinged occasionally, regardless of whether it's marked gift or not. Could be worse - could be the UK ... I've heard some real horror stories from my UK bike buddies ...!

Tell you bakes my buns - having to pay sales tax in the country of purchase then duty when it gets to Japan ... I'm in the wrong business - I should have grown up to be a government ...!

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....and NEVER ship anything to us poor canucks via UPS.......insane flat rate brokerage fees ($50 and upwards) on anything over $20 value.

You got that right! Use USPS, not UPS.

we definitely use USPS to canada and abroad over UPS (domestic US)

also you can mark it as a 'gift' and declare a very low (wholesale or below) for the customer to save customs costs.

Very good to know. Thanks all~