Online orders and cross border fees

[obsidian]

First of all, let me get this straight... I'm not smuggling stuff into the country or trying to do anything illegal.

I've been making a few purchases online from U.S. based retailers and they are shipping them to me here in Canada. I don't usually order stuff online from the States, so I was very surprised when UPS and FedEx knocked on my door requiring me to pay a bunch of fees and taxes for cross border shipments.

It seems as if when other people order stuff from the States, they aren't getting charged any cross border fees and taxes so I'm wondering why it's just me.

Am I doing something wrong and getting ripped off by the feds/couriers or am I just the only one doing things legally? Are all those fees and taxes necessary or is there a (mostly) legal way around them.

Naturally, don't discuss any illegal practices against forum rules, but I'm just wondering...

[Dave]

If the US is serious about stopping border incursions, we should start shooting people trying to cross illegally. That would fix everything

[shiznit]

If the US is serious about stopping border incursions, we should start shooting people trying to cross illegally. That would fix everything

I think he's talking about buying stuff online and then having to pay taxes & tariffs or whatever else they charge when it crosses the border.

I don't know much about your situation but I suggest you look into the policies of the companies your shipping with, Canadian and American tariffs and taxes. I'm pretty sure you can't get around it unless you ship things as something else, but then again I don't order anything online.

[Dave]

If the US is serious about stopping border incursions, we should start shooting people trying to cross illegally. That would fix everything

I think he's talking about buying stuff online and then having to pay taxes & tariffs or whatever else they charge when it crosses the border.

I don't know much about your situation but I suggest you look into the policies of the companies your shipping with, Canadian and American tariffs and taxes. I'm pretty sure you can't get around it unless you ship things as something else, but then again I don't order anything online.

i didn't read it tbh, i just wanted to toss that out there

[obsidian]

I'm not talking about smuggling myself or U.S. soldiers deserting the Iraq War into Canada or anything.

I'm talking about packages of stuff... like gear for my bike and knick-knacks for my computer.

[JulesWinnfield]

Gun nut.

[shiznit]

If the US is serious about stopping border incursions, we should start shooting people trying to cross illegally. That would fix everything

I think he's talking about buying stuff online and then having to pay taxes & tariffs or whatever else they charge when it crosses the border.

I don't know much about your situation but I suggest you look into the policies of the companies your shipping with, Canadian and American tariffs and taxes. I'm pretty sure you can't get around it unless you ship things as something else, but then again I don't order anything online.

i didn't read it tbh, i just wanted to toss that out there

No worries, I completely agree with you on that.

[obsidian]

Gun nut.

Nah, Toronto's got enough problems with illegal guns from the States. There's been a crazy string of shootings here lately from people carrying illegal weapons.

[Guest]

First of all, let me get this straight... I'm not smuggling stuff into the country or trying to do anything illegal.

I've been making a few purchases online from U.S. based retailers and they are shipping them to me here in Canada. I don't usually order stuff online from the States, so I was very surprised when UPS and FedEx knocked on my door requiring me to pay a bunch of fees and taxes for cross border shipments.

It seems as if when other people order stuff from the States, they aren't getting charged any cross border fees and taxes so I'm wondering why it's just me.

Am I doing something wrong and getting ripped off by the feds/couriers or am I just the only one doing things legally? Are all those fees and taxes necessary or is there a (mostly) legal way around them.

Naturally, don't discuss any illegal practices against forum rules, but I'm just wondering...

Hello neighbourg.
I am from Quebec Canada
My brother and I bought more than 50 items on eBay.
You have to read the duties info on products.
All electronics are duty free but if you buy art, jewelry or artefacts you will have to pay not even based on what you payed for it but for what it is valued by them.
I once bought an artefact for 125US and they charged me 140Can on arrival. I'll post you the link when I find it, something like Canada duties...
Pete