Shipping to Canada. Please educate me.

[tb-player]

Any time I list an item, I put the typical “CONUS only” at the bottom. 2 weeks ago, I had 2 separate individuals from the Great White North approach me about making an exception. One was a $2k bass. The other was a small, $200 accessory.

I’ve bought from overseas many times but never sold that way. I use Pirate Ship so I figured, “What the heck? Let’s give it a try!” and agreed to do the deals, as long as the buyers paid the extra shipping costs. Deal on both counts.

The bass buyer requested that I ship via USPS since UPS 2-day has higher fees. So I chose the USPS Priority International Expedited option which was 3-5 days as opposed to their standard USPS International which was 10 days. That was 2 weeks ago. Tracking says the bass is being delivered today (and no, there was no long delay at customs). Duties and taxes were roughly $250.

When I ran the shipping quote for the small, $200 accessory, the USPS delivery estimate was 4-6 weeks?? So I chose UPS which said it would take 2-3 days. The shipping price was only $2-3 higher for that. The buyer agreed and we were good. That package arrived on time. The buyer was charged $40 in customs/brokerage fees.

These fees and timelines are all new to me. And I hate telling someone from Canada no. I’m just curious, is there a better way?

Pirate Ship did make it easy. But it generated commercial invoices for each ‘Friends & Family’ deal. Do you guys from Canada (or other countries) assume that you’ll have to pay a ton extra and/or wait forever when you buy from the US? Is there something US sellers can be doing to make this process easier all the way around?

Please educate me.

 

[DirtDog]

When I buy from the states (and not through Amazon), it’s a dealbreaker if they can’t ship USPS. The brokerage fees though the commercial carriers can be ridiculous, although the application of these fees is uneven and may depend on what the tarrifs are for specific goods.

I haven’t had issues in length of time for delivery using USPS. Within a week is normal for standard international. I live in a big city. Might be different for rural destinations.

 

[Killing Floor]

I’d pony up for a little extra insurance simply because border crossings equal extra hands. And the water rotates the other direction when you flush. USPS to Canada has been painless in my experience.

 

[ScottfromCalgary]

I also ask for basses to be shipped via USPS to avoid the brokerage fees from the others (UPS, FedEx). When a USA made bass arrives in Canada through USPS / Canada Post, we have to pay the Goods and Service Tax (GST), which is 5% of the value, but if it is through the other couriers, then there's also brokerage fees on top (not duty, if it is a US or other duty free country made instrument). I've paid anywhere between $120 - $250 CDN for brokerage fees depending on the bass value. I find that it's usually a 10 day process coming through the postal service.

edit - we do not have provincial sales tax here in Alberta, so I'm not sure if buyers from other provinces also have to pay PST on top of the 5% GST

 

[tb-player]

I also ask for basses to be shipped via USPS to avoid the brokerage fees from the others (UPS, FedEx). When a USA made bass arrives in Canada through USPS / Canada Post, we have to pay the Goods and Service Tax (GST), which is 5% of the value, but if it is through the other couriers, then there's also brokerage fees on top (not duty, if it is a US or other duty free country made instrument). I've paid anywhere between $120 - $250 CDN for brokerage fees depending on the bass value. I find that it's usually a 10 day process coming through the postal service.

edit - we do not have provincial sales tax here in Alberta, so I'm not sure if buyers from other provinces also have to pay PST on top of the 5% GST

I think this is where I’m confused. The bass I sold was valued at $1500 on the customs form. But according to the Canada Post tracking info, he had to pay $248.60 in duty and taxes. That seems high.

 

[ScottfromCalgary]

I think this is where I’m confused. The bass I sold was valued at $1500 on the customs form. But according to the Canada Post tracking info, he had to pay $248.60 in duty and taxes. That seems high.

$1500 USD? That's nearly $2000 CDN and if the buyer was in Ontario where they have HST ('harmonized' federal and provincial sales tax) at 13% - that checks out. Of course I'm making some assumptions here.

 

[yodedude2]

i have limited experience, but your experience sounds like mine except for the part about 'no delay' at u.s. customs. the only issues i've ever had shipping to canada (always using usps) were with u.s. customs.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I'd ship pedals to Canada via USPS but shipping a bass is more hassle. Make sure you keep the box under 108" length plus girth or it's a no-go. A standard uline bass box works at 102" - (18x7x52). Shipping to Canada is a little over $100, without insurance. Still need to do the customs paperwork and the recipient will need to pay duties and such. And then you're dealing with another handoff for delivery, if there is an issue, you're on the hook but filing a claim is even more difficult. Pedals can be packed robustly in even a fixed rate international box from USPS, basses, not so much and it's more of a gamble.

 

[HardNHeavy]

import tax is a PITA!... I sent my son a laptop who lives in NL, it was close to $300.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Customs on both sides is on higher alert for smaller packages with fentanyl. Basically you can ship the equivalent of a few bricks in something the size of an old 35mm canister. So they're pulling more things apart and hand checking. That slows customs. Damn you Gus Fring and your under laundromat labs.

 

[ScottfromCalgary]

I'd ship pedals to Canada via USPS but shipping a bass is more hassle. Make sure you keep the box under 108" length plus girth or it's a no-go. A standard uline bass box works at 102" - (18x7x52). Shipping to Canada is a little over $100, without insurance. Still need to do the customs paperwork and the recipient will need to pay duties and such. And then you're dealing with another handoff for delivery, if there is an issue, you're on the hook but filing a claim is even more difficult. Pedals can be packed robustly in even a fixed rate international box from USPS, basses, not so much and it's more of a gamble.

Personally, I've never had any issues either shipping or receiving basses to/from the US. Probably have done this 20+ times now. I find it all pretty simple and straightforward through the postal services. Seems pretty seamless to me anyway. I pay on average about $135 CDN to ship to the US, so your estimate lines up with mine. As I mentioned before, it's just the provincial/federal taxes owed upon arrival here, not duty. Import/brokerage fees are only charged by the commercial carriers.

 

[Hawk256]

5% sounds good to me. In Indonesia they hit you a 40% tax since basses are considered luxury items. Not as bad as Thailand's 300% tax on American made motorbikes though. If you see a Harley there, you know the person has some money.

 

[tb-player]

$1500 USD? That's nearly $2000 CDN and if the buyer was in Ontario where they have HST ('harmonized' federal and provincial sales tax) at 13% - that checks out. Of course I'm making some assumptions here.

He’s on the West Coast and I’m East Coast US. So that probably accounts for the time. I should have been clearer about that. But yeah, the costs surprised me a little. I’ve had basses shipped from Japan and the fees weren’t that high. Eye-opening.

 

[ScottfromCalgary]

He’s on the West Coast and I’m East Coast US. So that probably accounts for the time. I should have been clearer about that. But yeah, the costs surprised me a little. I’ve had basses shipped from Japan and the fees weren’t that high. Eye-opening.

yep, 12% combined tax in BC.

 

[jlo95]

Please educate me.

Hi! I worked in shipping and receiving for a few years and shipped everything from mailers to pallets from USA to Canada regularly. I've shipped 10,000+ packages out of the US to Australia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, and Europe. I have extensive experience with USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.

When I ran the shipping quote for the small, $200 accessory, the USPS delivery estimate was 4-6 weeks?? So I chose UPS which said it would take 2-3 days. The shipping price was only $2-3 higher for that. The buyer agreed and we were good. That package arrived on time. The buyer was charged $40 in customs/brokerage fees.

Yes, this is normal. USPS international delivery times are regularly 30 days. The reason for this is customs and the hand off between USPS and Canada Post (or Royal Mail, etc.). USPS may often be cheaper than UPS but will take longer to be delivered. By choosing UPS you received a faster delivery, but UPS will charge the customer $40-$50 in brokerage fees. The only way around this fee is to have a customs broker on retainer. Something my company had but us regular folks cannot afford.

he had to pay $248.60 in duty and taxes. That seems high.

This is reasonable in duties and taxes for this size order. It's the cost of doing business.

In my experience, the best thing to do when shipping internationally is to simply be as transparent as possible.

For example: Buyer is responsible for any and all duties/taxes/fees incurred. Item will not be marked as gift nor will the price be marked down on commercial invoice. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery. International tracking is not always reliable and it is not uncommon for updates to cease for weeks at a time...

I'm happy to share my experience and answer any questions.

 

[JReno]

I'd echo what has already been said here. I also have worked in importing/exporting and that's just the cost of doing business across borders. Luckily, here in Alberta we only have to pay the GST...for now. I completely get why many in the US won't ship to Canada for private sale, although if the buyer is willing to front the cost and cover customs/duties/brokerage, the only risk to the seller would be that in a worst case scenario the buyer refuses the charges upon delivery, they don't receive their bass(and subsequently get blackballed by the TB community), and the seller is then on the hook for the shipping/return charges to have the bass returned to them. As for a buyer purchasing a bass from a private seller without ever having played it/viewed it in person? Well that's on them as there's no Ebay buyer protection here. I've only purchased through talkbass once from @Bilvis, and had him ship to a colleague within the US who then forwarded it on to me in Canada. I knew it was a bit of a gamble as if the bass turned out to be "not my cup of tea" I was going to be out some $$$, but he was fantastic to deal with, and the bass ended up being my favorite bass in my collection, so it was 100% worth it for me in the end. My wallet is glad it's not easier to obtain all the beautiful used basses being sold south of the border

 

[lomo]

I have shipped & received all sorts of basses and gear in both directions - USPS or Canada Post preferred but also fine with UPS. Taxes in Quebec total 15% of declared value on arrival.....no duty for stuff made in N. Am.

 

[tb-player]

Hi! I worked in shipping and receiving for a few years and shipped everything from mailers to pallets from USA to Canada regularly. I've shipped 10,000+ packages out of the US to Australia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, and Europe. I have extensive experience with USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.



Yes, this is normal. USPS international delivery times are regularly 30 days. The reason for this is customs and the hand off between USPS and Canada Post (or Royal Mail, etc.). USPS may often be cheaper than UPS but will take longer to be delivered. By choosing UPS you received a faster delivery, but UPS will charge the customer $40-$50 in brokerage fees. The only way around this fee is to have a customs broker on retainer. Something my company had but us regular folks cannot afford.



This is reasonable in duties and taxes for this size order. It's the cost of doing business.

In my experience, the best thing to do when shipping internationally is to simply be as transparent as possible.

For example: Buyer is responsible for any and all duties/taxes/fees incurred. Item will not be marked as gift nor will the price be marked down on commercial invoice. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery. International tracking is not always reliable and it is not uncommon for updates to cease for weeks at a time...

I'm happy to share my experience and answer any questions.

Thanks. That is super helpful. And I agree, transparency is key. The more I understand the process, the clearer I can be in my communication. I appreciate the detailed response!

 

[MtManiac]

I don’t mind paying my taxes, it’s the brokerage fees that slay and UPS loves them some brokerage fees.

Having said that, I’m generally just as likely or likelier to buy used on Talkbass versus Reverb because after the USD price, currency conversion, taxes, and brokerage, I’m still getting something that’s nigh unto impossible to find locally at a price less than new and often competitive with local used prices, such as the American Deluxe Dimension V or the black/maple American Pro P V I recently bought here. Canada is big and wide, and largely a country of small cities separated by 1.5-2 hours driving, versus a lot of sense metropolitan areas like the US is. Hard to source gear that isn’t sold new at Long & McQuade. The nearest G&L dealer is about an 25 hour drive away, so I’ve never played one. The local used market is full of Traynor amps and cabs, Squiers, and the cheaper Yamaha and Jackson models. Also, buying stuff on TB is pretty safe, the gear is always as advertised, and usually set up pretty well.

 

[logdrum]

And the water rotates the other direction when you flush.

Did someone add Kief to the coffee? Australia mate or South America is where the rotation changes.