Pardon my ignorance but what is the best way to ship quick and confirmed from the US to Canada. I did a trade with Ron on this board and insured the package and it got stuck in customs and he had to pay an import tax. Obviously I'd like to avoid that but get the stuff up to the frozen north safely and quickly.
Did you have a US Customs Green slip on the package?
If yes, Canadian Customs will use the amount stated to
levy an import tax of $5 + 14% on amounts over $20.
I have received packages from the US where the amount
declared was between $40 and $80 and no taxes were
levied. I don't know why... When Customs decide to tax,
the postman will collect the tax from the buyer at the
reception of the package.
Go registered, Mark, but don't insure it. Registered can be slow at times - and I know you said you're looking for quick, but I'll trade speed for security when it comes to rare or valuable cards - but it's incredibly safe and only a few bucks more than the Priority International or whatever it's called now. (I also think it might be the only way to track international packages, but I could be wrong about that.) I certainly insure my registered domestic packages, but if you insure for the full amount with a Canadian buyer, he or she will almost certainly get nailed with the tax.
Edited to add: When filling out the customs form with a registered package, I usually just state "printed material" or "photos" and give a value between $10-20.
Priority Mail is good for a little extra security, but no tracking is available.
I agree that Registered Mail is one of the most secure ways to ship and it allows tracking. The only downfall is that you have to use brown tape on the outside of the package. You can't use any clear tape of any kind. The brown packing tape is glued on the back, so you have to put water on the back of it. It's a pain to use, but I'm sure that it gets easier once you have practice.
You can also use Express Mail. I'm not sure if it is more or less expensive than Registered Mail.
I am a resident of Canada and these are my experiences!
I actually use "Pictures" in the descripton with a value less than $20 if item is not insured. Sportscards are technically pictures thus you are not lying on a customs form as many US sellers seen to deem as important.
Bubblewraps seem to have a chance of making it past customs even if the value is above the limit. Packages never make it past if valuation is to high.
I was told by the guy at Cda Post that you can't buy insurance for cross border shipments.....so if you can't insure it, then there should be no problem understating the shipment's value.....
I think the threshold is about $20....I';ve been dinged $3 in taxes, plus $5 in fees, for a $25 package before, but I can't complain because some packages (most) get through without being raped by Customs.
I have absolutely no secret the mail works...Period.
I only buy high priced items from Canadian sellers as I am in Canada.By high priced I mean anything over $500.
Jon
