Buying from US site and Shipping to TSB
 

So I'm planning to get a laptop from sonystyle or apple us as they got a lot of discounts and perks going on.

I was wondering if anyone have done this before (buying something in the us and have them shipped to TSB) and would like to hear about their reliability and any issues that I have to deal with when I do my pickup and purchase.


This is the site for TSB right? http://www.tsbshipping.com/

TYIA

yes its fine but its a long drive there and u need to pay taxes on the stuff when u come back. it was like 12% for me (comp parts)

I've used TSB a few times and they have been great every time. Just make sure your package has a tracking number. TSB says they'll send you an email as a courtesy when it arrives but out of the four times I've shipped there, I've only gotten an email from them once.

ive used there service. i once got the email from them an hour after the packaged was delivered. so far so good.

I've gotten an email 100% of the time, and I order stuff about once a month to be picked up there.

I use TSB quite often and have always received an email from them. Make sure you register with them and to use the same name on all your orders if you want to receive that email. I wouldn't try sneaking anything back over the border, since they know people go down there just to pick up items. My car got randomly searched once, so make sure your not bringing anything of value down that you can't prove that you own coming back up. To speed things up, the vehicle you use to get there is clean so that they don't have to go through your items when they search it. When you're declaring items, make sure you have the invoice printed as well, because sometimes the package may not include it.

^thanks for the tip

Would a laptop be counted as a comp part and would that be 12% customs that I would have to pay then?

TSB is great. They know me by name now!

They will charge you a fee for every item shipped to them. Its usually $4 US per item for up to 30 days stored there. You pay them this fee when you pick up your item(s). After the first time, they will take your info down and put you on their email list (of which they have been 100% perfect with me - 50 transactions or so!).

When you get the to the border, you need to declare the item and its price (minus shipping of course). They'll give you a yellow sheet and you go and take that inside. When you get to the counter the officer will want to see your Paypal or Ebay documents pertaining to the item. You will most likely pay taxes AND a 6% duty on the item if its not made in the US.

Pay the tax and duty and you are done. They may come and inspect your car so make sure you leave the blow-up dolls and KY jelly at home.

Remember to bring:
- Ebay or Paypal documents
- Your Passport

last time i brought back 2 hoodies which costed about $500, they charged me ~$150 in tax and duty, i don't understand how come it's like 28%.......

Double check to see if they have the correct email. I registered for this on their website about 2 years ago and I've always gotten an email from them everytime a package came in.

Yeah that might've been a possibility. I didn't get emails from them the first three times but the most recent time I did get one.

thanks for the headsup!


^nice title btw mickz ;)

anybody use the letter carrier?

getting a PO box in Blaine is a better idea. it will cost more but will save you money in the long run. you can get a box from Mailboxes International (just across the Truck Crossing) for $120 for 14 months. they charge about $2 on top of that to hold a package for 30 days.

one benefit is that the border staff are more lenient. they usually let you re-enter the country with up to $100 per person without question or taxes/duty. i think is is because it is a higher traffic border with lots of commercial vehicles and lots of regular people going back and forth for everyday shopping. in the rare scenario that you have to go inside and pay taxes/duty its only GST and PST... 12%. the staff dont care what the hell you are bringing in. ive purchased clothes, cds, dvds, furniture, groceries, electronics, books, car parts, and have never paid more than 12%.

I only use them when I want to pick something up onthe weekend since they're open and TSB isn't.

Letter Carrier is a complete mess compared to TSB

I've had a great experience with TSB everytime as well and I always get an email.

Like said above don't try and be a wise guy and sneak shit across because they do randomly search. I've had my vehicle searched 2 out of the last 4 times across. They'll also go online and make sure your invoice matches the price of what it sells for on the site of wherever you bought it from depending on what mood their in.

A LOT of E-stores will not ship to PO boxes. TSB and The Letter Carrier are not PO boxes.

I was just at TSB yesterday. No problems here and I always receive their emails.

well its not really a PO box... you do get a physical PO box but you use a regular shipping address for packages.

ie... PO Box 123, 222 Main St, Blaine WA, 98001
becomes... #123 - 222 Main St, Blaine WA, 98001

i have used this service for over a year without any problems. just input your PO box number as an apartment number and your package gets delivered every time.

I use Hagens of Blaine, friendly folks and much more organized. It's just right after the Pacific Hwy border and only cost $2 per package. Plus, you can go down I-5 and shop around after instead of coming right back up from Point Roberts.

Wondering what kind of deals are out there? Did you just go to their website to find them? I'm looking to buy a new macbook. Could you possibly PM me if you have any info about deals?

of the multiple times i've been down to Point Roberts, i've been searched every time :(
I declare everything for the full price, they always search the car while i'm inside paying my taxes. the only time i didn't get searched was when i had a $70 item, where the customs lady just let me go.

^same here, I get searched every time too, even though I declare full value. I've used TSB and Letter Carrier before, no problem.

go for it.

computers and electronics are duty free. but you still got to pay for GST/PST and environmental tax.

i have used them for more than 10 times probably.

because your hoodie are probably made in China, or outside NA

so, the calcalution goes like this

pst = 7%
gst = 5%
duty on clothing = 18%

add it all up, that's 30%.

that is why you should always check with the CBSA guide before purchasing.