Recieving a Laptop from NY. Which route should I choose?
 

Hey everyone, So I have my heart set on this Thinkpad X200 and the seller is in NYC. He said on the listing that he only ships to Confirmed PayPal addresses but I messaged and asked if it's possible to ship to Point Roberts and I'll just drive down to pick up and he said that it should be fine. Theres 2 choices:

1) I use USPS to ship to my door for $85US USPS Priority Mail International

2) Ship to Point Roberts via UPS Ground for only $18US (6 Day Arrival)

Note: The laptop is going to be roughly 1200US

The difference is $67 US but I dont know how much roughly Canada Customs will charge me for bringing it back over the border myself. I know its 12% of the items value but alot of the times i've shipped stuff to my door the value was alot lower than the tax it shouldve received. Whereas when I bring stuff back from PR they usually let it slide or make you pay a minimal tax percentage based on what you bought. Also I've read before on RFD that electronics like cellphones/laptops have some sort of exemption? Anyone clarify that its not just the 12%?

Anyways, if you were in my situation which route would you take? Drive over the border and pick it up myself or pay more shipping and just get it shipped to my door. Thanks

Ship it to Point Roberts. When you bring it back, you'll just pay 12% tax. No duty.

If I were you I'd ship it to my door and forget about it. Since I'm not you I'd probably ship it to point roberts.

Neither, buy local! Buy my mint x61s instead for a fraction of the price, I'll give you a deal :)

But to choose from the 2, I would ship it home because it might cost tax when bringing it over the border.

Theres still a high chance of getting taxed when you ship it to Canada. Hence why I'm thinking of just driving over there and getting dinged at most 12% and not have to pay duty. No one locally has an X200 Tablet for sale so thats why im buying from the states :thumbsup:

Ah I see, you're going to love the weight of these. Work gave me a laptop so I just never use mine so thats why I'm selling it or else I would take it everywhere with me.

Taxes and duties are different.

If the actual value of the unit is declared, you're still going to pay taxes (GST/PST) on it when it clears customs. They'll also charge you a $5 brokerage fee as well (which is way less than UPS/Fedex). As others have mentioned, there's no duties on computers and computer parts.

I'd go down to Pt Roberts and pick it up. You'd save on the shipping. Taxes are going to be the same either way. (I know there's the off chance that Canada Post might not tax you, but the same could be said about driving across the border too - well, at least at the Blaine crossing). Go fill up a tank of gas while you're at it too and make it worthwhile. :)

Either way, it's being imported into the country. Taxes and duty are the same whether Canada Customs charges you directly at the border or through the shipping company. Unless you plan on smuggling it across from Point Roberts.

Okay, let me spell it out for you REALLY clearly.

Option 1: Shipping it straight to Canada
Shipping cost: US$85
Total tax due upon arrival: 12% tax on US$1200 = ~$158.40
Canada Post processing charge: $5
Total cost minus item cost: ~$256.90

Option 2: Shipping it to Point Roberts
Shipping cost: US$18
Handling fee at Point Roberts: $2.50
Total tax due at border: 12% tax on US$1200 = ~$158.40
Total cost minus item cost: ~$180.70

So you will save about $75 by shipping it to Point Roberts.

count on the cheapskate to break it down for you :thumbsup:

The only other concern (if it matters to you) is when you want it.

Shipping to Pt Roberts - Around 5-7 business days.
Shipping to Canada - Usually around 10-15 business days.

Plus the traceability option with going with UPS with a tracking number - that's more important to me when it's a private sale and it's shipping to a 3rd party for a high value item.

Another reason to go for a drive to Pt Roberts especially if you want instant gratification. ;)

Thanks for the input guys. Shipped it to Point Roberts (TSB Shipping) and everything is going smoothly so far. I asked if they could swap out the 4 cell for an 8cell and they said np and no extra cost :thumbsup:. And yeah, no more waiting for Customs Canada to clear so it'll be alot faster.

Hey... I'm not a cheapskate! :cry: Just because I like free stuff doesn't mean I'm cheap. :wooha: