Anyone going to the USA????

[oioioi]

Trying my luck.
Anyone driving down to the USA and coming back by the end of this month?

I need a favour with bringing something back. Legitimate item, no funny business.

I know there are shipping services available but I want to avoid the additional fees etc.

 

[GreyGhost]

Trying my luck.
Anyone driving down to the USA and coming back by the end of this month?

I need a favour with bringing something back. Legitimate item, no funny business.

I know there are shipping services available but I want to avoid the additional fees. etc.

Fwiw, I found the shippsy fee very reasonable ($20 iirc). The only part that was nerve wracking was I had to sign a preauthorizatuon for customs fees and duties of up to $7000. On a $200 package. Final duty bill was low as expected.

 

[oioioi]

Fwiw, I found the shippsy fee very reasonable ($20 iirc). The only part that was nerve wracking was I had to sign a preauthorizatuon for customs fees and duties of up to $7000. On a $200 package. Final duty bill was low as expected.

Agreed, but the item I am looking at is approx $700 CAD. So decent amount of fees.
I may have to go this route anyways but just seeing my options.

 

[Jenerator]

I'd like a Harris for President baseball cap, myself.

 

[Relax]

When will the package arrive and where are you shipping it to? I was just in NY for the long weekend, but may be going back again in about a month. Not sure if I will be staying long enough for the $800 exemption, though, and not sure if it will be by the end of August. What are the package dimensions so I can see if it will fit on my bike?

 

[oioioi]

When will the package arrive and where are you shipping it to? I was just in NY for the long weekend, but may be going back again in about a month. Not sure if I will be staying long enough for the $800 exemption, though, and not sure if it will be by the end of August. What are the package dimensions so I can see if it will fit on my bike?

Given your info it probably will not work.
The package is about 35 lbs. 17 X 17 X 4, plus packing material. Probably not a good idea to strap onto a bike.
But I REALLY DO appreciate the offer.

I have calculated it out and shipping it directly to here via eBay international shipping is working out to be the same as shipping it to Buffalo and bringing it over via Shippsy.
The only thing is that eBay says there is no further duties to be paid and I am not sure if I can trust that. Also not sure of the final costs via Shippsy.

I think I am over thinking this and should just order it and bite the bullet.

 

[shanekingsley]

Given your info it probably will not work.
The package is about 35 lbs. 17 X 17 X 4, plus packing material. Probably not a good idea to strap onto a bike.
But I REALLY DO appreciate the offer.

I have calculated it out and shipping it directly to here via eBay international shipping is working out to be the same as shipping it to Buffalo and bringing it over via Shippsy.
The only thing is that eBay says there is no further duties to be paid and I am not sure if I can trust that. Also not sure of the final costs via Shippsy.

I think I am over thinking this and should just order it and bite the bullet.

I'm going first week of Oct for 9 days, riding to Deals Gap.
Happy to strap that on my bike for you and bring it back around Oct 6, if you decide that's the way to go here.

 

[nobbie48]

Given your info it probably will not work.
The package is about 35 lbs. 17 X 17 X 4, plus packing material. Probably not a good idea to strap onto a bike.
But I REALLY DO appreciate the offer.

I have calculated it out and shipping it directly to here via eBay international shipping is working out to be the same as shipping it to Buffalo and bringing it over via Shippsy.
The only thing is that eBay says there is no further duties to be paid and I am not sure if I can trust that. Also not sure of the final costs via Shippsy.

I think I am over thinking this and should just order it and bite the bullet.

As I understand it USPS is OK but some couriers tack on high "Border" fees. I don't know if it's because the sender doesn't know or doesn't care what happens if they ship USPS or courier to Canada. Does the sender have a reputation for getting it right?

 

[oioioi]

As I understand it USPS is OK but some couriers tack on high "Border" fees. I don't know if it's because the sender doesn't know or doesn't care what happens if they ship USPS or courier to Canada. Does the sender have a reputation for getting it right?

I think it works different for eBay International shipping and especially with sellers who are an actually store on eBay and not a private seller out of their home.

I actually spoke with with both the seller and eBay shipping department. As per them both, when an item is to be shipped across the border, the seller sends the item to a large shipping eBay warehouse somewhere in the Midwest. Then it seems like eBay handles it from there. The way the lady at eBay explained it is, they don't always know who the courier will be as they look for carriers with the best rate to deliver package X to address XY. I'm guessing like a bidding system. So it might be one of the larger well knows couriers or some private ones as well.

So the seller doesn't actually address the item to you but to this shipping warehouse that eBay runs. I'm guessing its different for domestic shipping.

I know that some courier like to add on their special fees. But in this case the auction is saying no more duties/import fees during check out.

 

[backmarkerducati]

There are lots of options to ship to Niagara/Buffalo. FedEx does a ship to depot option that last I used it was $5 but they give you less time to come get it. Working via eBay adds a little wrinkle but people do this everyday.

If it is you or someone else picking it up the taxes and duties at the border need to be paid. If it is you taking it across you can decide to declare or not and take the risks. If it is someone doing you a favour, declare should be the only option (not saying you want them to do any different).

 

[oioioi]

There are lots of options to ship to Niagara/Buffalo. FedEx does a ship to depot option that last I used it was $5 but they give you less time to come get it. Working via eBay adds a little wrinkle but people do this everyday.

If it is you or someone else picking it up the taxes and duties at the border need to be paid. If it is you taking it across you can decide to declare or not and take the risks. If it is someone doing you a favour, declare should be the only option (not saying you want them to do any different).

Agreed. I would only ask for the favour if someone is within their limit or the $value of good being brought back.

I would not expect someone to go over for a day trip and not declare the item on the way back. I can do that myself.

 

[hdsomeday]

I think it works different for eBay International shipping and especially with sellers who are an actually store on eBay and not a private seller out of their home.

I actually spoke with with both the seller and eBay shipping department. As per them both, when an item is to be shipped across the border, the seller sends the item to a large shipping eBay warehouse somewhere in the Midwest. Then it seems like eBay handles it from there. The way the lady at eBay explained it is, they don't always know who the courier will be as they look for carriers with the best rate to deliver package X to address XY. I'm guessing like a bidding system. So it might be one of the larger well knows couriers or some private ones as well.

So the seller doesn't actually address the item to you but to this shipping warehouse that eBay runs. I'm guessing its different for domestic shipping.

I know that some courier like to add on their special fees. But in this case the auction is saying no more duties/import fees during check out.

I have had things come with Ebay international many times and have never had any extra charges. Tracking isnt the greatest but it has sometimes arrived before it said it would. Cant remember who did final delivery but they werent always the same.

 

[oioioi]

I have had things come with Ebay international many times and have never had any extra charges. Tracking isnt the greatest but it has sometimes arrived before it said it would. Cant remember who did final delivery but they werent always the same.

Good to know.

A buddy of mine came through with the favour and will be bringing it over for me.

 

[backmarkerducati]

Not so much just about extra charges.

Shipping from US to US will usually have a lower shipping rate than sending it just few km more across the border into Canada, just shipping costs. This can be small to large. As an example I bough some car seats, $70 to Buffalo, $270 to Canada.

Then you need to factor in brokerage charges--I consider these the extra charges (how much they charge for the privilege of telling you how much tax and duty you need to pay), USPS IMO tends to be the lowest here, UPS can really bend you over. Pre clearing can help here for the more expensive ones.

 

[oioioi]

Not so much just about extra charges.

Shipping from US to US will usually have a lower shipping rate than sending it just few km more across the border into Canada, just shipping costs. This can be small to large. As an example I bough some car seats, $70 to Buffalo, $270 to Canada.

Then you need to factor in brokerage charges--I consider these the extra charges (how much they charge for the privilege of telling you how much tax and duty you need to pay), USPS IMO tends to be the lowest here, UPS can really bend you over. Pre clearing can help here for the more expensive ones.

Shipping within USA was free.
Shipping to Canada was approx $90 CAD plus $39 or so in GST/HST.
Strange as the item was coming out of New York.

 

[HarleyHare]

Can't believe you don't know about Crossborder Shipping. They pickup in Buffalo and ship to Toronto. Real chaep.

 

[GreyGhost]

Can't believe you don't know about Crossborder Shipping. They pickup in Buffalo and ship to Toronto. Real chaep.

If he's trying to use personal exemption to avoid duty on $700 worth of stuff, none of the shippers can do that. I'd be happy to help him if a trip was in the cards as I don't bring much back but no trips planned to US right now.

 

[oioioi]

Can't believe you don't know about Crossborder Shipping. They pickup in Buffalo and ship to Toronto. Real chaep.

I do know about the several cross border services as well as the independent address just across the border where you can pick up yourself.
I have used all the services in the past.

Hard to hide the value on this item with the cross border services as they require an invoice.

I don't have any longer trips planned into the US and going over for a few hours and risking not claiming it on the way back it not worth it. And if I am to pay the duties I might as well just ship it directly to the house.

 

[backmarkerducati]

Shipping within USA was free.
Shipping to Canada was approx $90 CAD plus $39 or so in GST/HST.
Strange as the item was coming out of New York.

I once bought a take-off factory stock fourth gen f-body exhaust (cat back) system from SLP. The cars were built in Quebec back then, then the cars went to SLP to be upgraded and the factory exhaust was removed in Quebec...

Then dumb me at the time bought the removed factory exhaust from SLP (for I think $50 or some cheap price) and they shipped from the US (shipping was also not bad), then UPS charged me a fat brokerage fee AND I got dinged with DUTY and sales taxes, WTF. Well before I knew better....

Under NAFTA it is entirely possible the pipes and muffler were not made in Canada, but still, they were removed from the car in Canada!