Yooosty
member
Reged: 01/25/10
Posts: 51
Loc: Calgary, AB
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I am wondering if I will have to pay duty on the eyepiece I just bought from ScopeCity.com in California as it is being shipped to me in Canada.
Does anyone have any experience buying products in Canada from US websites?
Much appreciated!
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Yooosty
Orion XX12i "Copernicus"
Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom
Orion 35mm Deep-View
Orion 10mm Sirius Plossl
TeleVue Powermate 2" 2x
Lumicon 2" UHC
Antares 2" ND-13
Celestron 2" UHC/LPR
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Megawatt
sage
Reged: 05/02/09
Posts: 286
Loc: Flamborough, Ontario
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Unless it is made in the US, you will probably pay duty as well as tax, brokerage and other import fees, which the carrier charges for processing your shipment.
For example, I ordered some filters and a padded case from California. The shipment was sent FedEx Ground. The value of the order was $121 USD. I paid about $68 CAD in fees, and that doesn't include the cost of shipping. Duty was only $10 but FedEx charged me $33 for brokerage plus $5 for "disbursement fees" and federal tax on top of all that. So in that case I basically paid for the products twice.
I had better luck when ordering my XT8. I think the fees came to around $100, but the telescope was $100 cheaper in the US so it worked out.
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Telescopes:
Orion Skyquest XT8
Skywatcher 1206 refractor/AZ4 mount
Accessories:
Stratus 8mm, Meade 5000 UWA 14mm & SWA 28mm, Axiom LX 19mm
Orion Ultrablock, Ultima Barlow
Edited by Megawatt (02/08/10 08:32 PM)
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Peter28
member
Reged: 12/21/09
Posts: 35
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Yes, I do. The first issue is that of customs clearance. If you are using any of the main carriers, be prepared to have to pay hefty brokerage charges. If you specified shipping by U.S. Mail, Canada post will charge you a flat $5.00 fee. So I always make sure to avoid the major carriers when I specify the method of shipping.
As to import duties, you are OK of the manifest specified that the goods are made in USA. Most goods are now made in China, Taiwan, or some other less known country. These goods are subjevt to import duties, although, in most cases, this is a minimal charge.
I have also found that if the total declared value is minimal, say $25.00 or so, the parcel usually comes through without any aditional charges at all.
To sum it up: specify shipment by U.S. Mail. The rest is beyond your control.
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Peter
CPC 800 GPS XLT
7,10,15,19,23,31 mm Axiom LX
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Megawatt
sage
Reged: 05/02/09
Posts: 286
Loc: Flamborough, Ontario
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Yeah, what he said. Whatever you do don't use UPS.
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Telescopes:
Orion Skyquest XT8
Skywatcher 1206 refractor/AZ4 mount
Accessories:
Stratus 8mm, Meade 5000 UWA 14mm & SWA 28mm, Axiom LX 19mm
Orion Ultrablock, Ultima Barlow
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Newfie Ninja
sage
Reged: 06/27/08
Posts: 232
Loc: Newfoundland, Canada
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Make sure that the shipper uses UPS, Fed Ex and Purolator charge crazy fees for brokerage etc. I got nailed the first time I ordered from the states but the second Time OPT suggested UPS and I haven't used anything else since.
Cheers
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CPC 11 Starbright XLT
WO FLT 98 Aluminum Tube
TMB 80SS
Orion 130EQST
Firstscope Anniversary Edition
Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro Synscan
WO EZ Touch Mount
UA Microstar Deluxe/Telepod Tripod
Ethos,Uwan, & Swan sets,a Nagler, & a 2x Powermate
A couple of cases of other stuff
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Megawatt
sage
Reged: 05/02/09
Posts: 286
Loc: Flamborough, Ontario
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UPS charged me brokerage on items that weren't even shipped before, and while I was still contesting the charges they turned me over to collections. It was all very nasty.
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Telescopes:
Orion Skyquest XT8
Skywatcher 1206 refractor/AZ4 mount
Accessories:
Stratus 8mm, Meade 5000 UWA 14mm & SWA 28mm, Axiom LX 19mm
Orion Ultrablock, Ultima Barlow
|
Todd
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/04
Posts: 1656
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I've found that all of the shipping companies will sometimes charge excessive brokerage fees.
Oddly enough, I had a package come the other day via Purolater from Kansas and it was worth $100 U.S..
I had to pay about $13 and that was it. And I assume that was just tax --- I never did look.
But if I have my choice I will always have the shipper send it via USPS just to ensure that there is only a $5 fee via Canada Post.
One time I had a package worth about $700 come via UPS and the brokerage fee was just under $100. Then there were the taxes on top of that.
That was the end of using UPS for me.
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Newfie Ninja
sage
Reged: 06/27/08
Posts: 232
Loc: Newfoundland, Canada
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my bad, I meant USPS, OOPS 
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CPC 11 Starbright XLT
WO FLT 98 Aluminum Tube
TMB 80SS
Orion 130EQST
Firstscope Anniversary Edition
Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro Synscan
WO EZ Touch Mount
UA Microstar Deluxe/Telepod Tripod
Ethos,Uwan, & Swan sets,a Nagler, & a 2x Powermate
A couple of cases of other stuff
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Megawatt
sage
Reged: 05/02/09
Posts: 286
Loc: Flamborough, Ontario
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Point being, buy from Canada!
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Telescopes:
Orion Skyquest XT8
Skywatcher 1206 refractor/AZ4 mount
Accessories:
Stratus 8mm, Meade 5000 UWA 14mm & SWA 28mm, Axiom LX 19mm
Orion Ultrablock, Ultima Barlow
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Newfie Ninja
sage
Reged: 06/27/08
Posts: 232
Loc: Newfoundland, Canada
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All my major purchases have been from Canadian retailers, scopes Ethos etc. But sometimes there is an item that I can't find in Canada and it is more convienient to order from the States then wait for a Canadian retailer to locate it. I wouldn't dare order anything big for fear of getting nailed with extra charges and exchange.
Cheers
--------------------
CPC 11 Starbright XLT
WO FLT 98 Aluminum Tube
TMB 80SS
Orion 130EQST
Firstscope Anniversary Edition
Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro Synscan
WO EZ Touch Mount
UA Microstar Deluxe/Telepod Tripod
Ethos,Uwan, & Swan sets,a Nagler, & a 2x Powermate
A couple of cases of other stuff
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NoiseJammer
sage
Reged: 09/16/07
Posts: 242
Loc: Gone walkabout
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My experience has more or less been as reported, however there is always a trade off.
I have had parcels sent via USPS International Priority disappear for 4 weeks in the postal system. It seems they just lie around in the customs sheds until they have gathered the required weight in dust then they go through. (It beats me how this can cost less than releasing things immediately.) Anyway USPS blames Canada Post and Canada Post blames USPS and calls to Canadian customs don't get answered - resulting in stalemate.
My approach is to look at the value of the item and compare it with the cost of postage vs USPS or FedEx, then make the decision. I was happy to pay $30 brokerage fees on my scope.
As for value - it seems that items with a declared value of $50 - $75 go through without attracting attention.
Clearest
Bruce, Toronto
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178 square inches of mostly shiny glass, one biph
... and way, way too much light polution.
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Albie
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/22/05
Posts: 4059
Loc: Alberta,Canada
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I have had lots of items come from the U.S. and the only problems I had were with the items that weren't shipped by USPS.
Bottom line is use USPS and all will be well.
I too got dinged by UPS.I did a trade and got dinged $75 in handling fees.They sure love to fondle the shipments.It's almost like they hand the parcel off so that everyone can get a piece of the action.
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Orion Starblast6
Meade 5k SWA 24mm,20mm and 16mm,Antares Speers Waler Series2 9.4mm, 7.2mm and 4.9mm.Meade 5k 2x TeleXtender.
Celestron Skymaster 15x70,Celestron Regal LX 8x42,Celestron Noble 10x28 and the lots of fun Pentax Papilio 6.5x21
Edited by Albie (02/08/10 10:00 PM)
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ebusinesstutor
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 07/01/09
Posts: 776
Loc: Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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I purchase regularly from the US but I ONLY buy from companies willing to ship via US Postal Service NOT FedEx or UPS because there is usually only a flat $5 clearing charge from Canada Post. FedEx and UPS slap huge charges to clear Customs.
I don't order from Telescopes.com as they only ship via FedEx.
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Garland Coulson
Orion XT8i Dob
Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Click Zoom & Siebert Observatory 36mm
SkyWatcher Observing Chair
Webmaster, Nanaimo Astronomy Society
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dvb
different Syndrome.
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 3766
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I have never been charged duty on anything purchased on-line from the USA.
GST and PST have been charged on everything.
And, as everyone else has said, avoid the larcenous brokerage fees charged by UPS and FedEx, and only get shipments by USPS.
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By day the universe is like a kiss,
at night the deep transparent skies
carry us upwards, outwards, into space.
Lie on your back on cooling grass and stare.
P.K. Page
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vkhastro1
super member
Reged: 08/21/05
Posts: 110
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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>Only by USPS as previously mentioned.
>Also make sure that a company's warranty is not voided by
purchasing from the USA.
>Make sure the item doesn't get import taxed as photographic
equipment. I once purchased several eyepieces from
Adorama (NY City). I clearly stated in my telephone call
that for Canadian Customs clearance it had to say
"telescope equipment". Adorama is a huge camera dealer.
Of course they screw it up - saying "photograghic
equipment" - I was hit for duty + PST + GST instead of
only PST + GST. I had to pay the grand total first to take
delivery at the Canadian Post Office. I had to literally
fight with Canada Customs to prove that a telescope
eyepiece was not camera equipment. After nearly 6 months
of back and forth correspondance, I finally got the
correct refund from Canada Customs.
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Takman
sage
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 286
Loc: Maple, ON - Canada
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Having made numerous purchases over the years I can attest that UPS and FedEx will charge egregious brokerage fees and, by extension, custom charges. I use USPS at every opportunity, although there are occasional hold ups a customs. However, having worked for Canada Post for a number of years, the delay is largely the result of customs inspections. Sometimes, I avoid paying additional fees when items are shipped via USPS to Canada.
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Takahashi TOA-130F
Celestron C-11/C-8 with FASTAR
William Optics Zenithstar 66 SD/ED Petzval/Megrez 90 APO
Astro-Physics Mach1 GTO/Celestron AS-GT
TeleVue Naglers 26mm, 13mm, 7mm and 3.5mm
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pmckeogh
member
Reged: 08/21/08
Posts: 32
Loc: mississauga
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sent a (lengthy) PM
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Antares 200mm F/5 reflector on EQ5
SV80ED Raptor
Collection of orthos.
Celestron 7mm Axiom LX
20mm meade 5000 SWA and soon the 34mm
pentax XW 10mm
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Yooosty
member
Reged: 01/25/10
Posts: 51
Loc: Calgary, AB
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Thank you everyone!
I cancelled my US order and luckily found a Hyperion Zoom in Ontario and I'm having it shipped to Alberta.
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Yooosty
Orion XX12i "Copernicus"
Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom
Orion 35mm Deep-View
Orion 10mm Sirius Plossl
TeleVue Powermate 2" 2x
Lumicon 2" UHC
Antares 2" ND-13
Celestron 2" UHC/LPR
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inline79
journeyman
Reged: 07/27/09
Posts: 7
Loc: Vancouver, BC
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I think it's important to point out that there should be no duty charges on optics of the classification we amateurs normally deal with:
See
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2010/01-99/tblmod-eng.html
Telescopes: 9005.80.10
Accessories (including eyepieces): 9005.90.11
...I guess Canada Customs has no sympathy for radio-astronomers or those 24" dobs!
FWIW I live 30 min from the border and have most smaller things (greater than $25, less than $200) shipped to a receiving service and bring it across myself, always prepared to pay the tax. Bigger things I always ship USPS and pay the $5 brokerage and GST/PST. Less than about $25 Canada Post don't bother with the brokerage and duty.
Occassionally I've had shippers who mark large shipments at $20 value, but I never tell them to do that, though I do continue to shop there. 
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NX8SE, Mak180, XT4.5, ETX90-EC, NX80GT, 15x70, 10x50
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Megawatt
sage
Reged: 05/02/09
Posts: 286
Loc: Flamborough, Ontario
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Yooosty: Good call.
inline79: Very good point. The trouble is that you are relying on the shipper to complete the commercial invoice properly and to use the correct Harmonized Tariff code.
--------------------
Telescopes:
Orion Skyquest XT8
Skywatcher 1206 refractor/AZ4 mount
Accessories:
Stratus 8mm, Meade 5000 UWA 14mm & SWA 28mm, Axiom LX 19mm
Orion Ultrablock, Ultima Barlow
|
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