Should I ship to Point Roberts/Blaine or to Canada? [Archive]

Amuse

07-05-2010, 12:14 PM

Looking to buy a set of coilovers. I believe made in japan. The store is in the US

They are about cad$780. $100 shipping from the states to Canada. $60 shipping to USA. Uses UPS ground to ship.

If I ship to Canada, will I need to pay brokerage and 12% HST on the price? What is the brokerage %? I remember I did not have to pay ANY tax on previous items shipped to my door.

If I ship to point roberts, and pick up, then declare, I would have to pay 12% HST and duty fees? What is the duty %?

Looking for the cheaper option.

Qmx323

07-05-2010, 12:22 PM

Im almost certain that the duty + tax is more than 40 dollars

just ship them to canada.

q0192837465

07-05-2010, 12:22 PM

just clear customs urslef to save the brokerage

In this case it's better to ship to Canada since new coils are not something u can smuggle with your car. Duty & tax u'll have to pay either way. Time & gas isnt worth $40, unless u live in White Rock or something.

tool001

07-05-2010, 12:50 PM

u'd be saving , brokerage + shipping diff. so $80. (that is if brokerage was $40) and will get it way sooner than if it was shipped to canada. :)

hirevtuner

07-05-2010, 12:54 PM

go to pt rob, get some cheap gas while u are at it

Amuse

07-05-2010, 01:01 PM

Ok, looking at this site:
http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html
I would have to pay $61.40 to UPS if I ship to Canada. Do I need to pay another $93.6 (12% TAX) when I receive it at my door?

tool001

07-05-2010, 01:27 PM

q0192837465

07-05-2010, 01:29 PM

bengy

07-05-2010, 01:34 PM

I usually drive to Blaine. Canada customs rarely pulls me inside to pay taxes on the shit I buy.

inv4zn

07-05-2010, 01:38 PM

As everyone said, there is brokerage fee if you bring it across yourself, because you are the broker.

UPS will not give the package to you at your door unless you bend over backwards and pay them out the ass. I'd much rather get raped by the government than by UPS...lol

I much prefer point roberts - cheap gas, little to no border time, and i've brought across ~500$ without getting hassled/taxed - but this is a hit or miss.

CP.AR

07-05-2010, 01:50 PM

^ I've brought $400 roof racks for my mom's CR-V and got pulled inside...

Gh0stRider

07-05-2010, 01:51 PM

ship it to PR. Save yourself the brokerage fee.

vo_hantu

07-05-2010, 02:52 PM

I got some parts shipped to Point Roberts and picked up last week (total value of $350USD). I used "The Letter Carrier" and everything went smoothly.

Make sure you bring a copy of all receipts or convos. I got pulled inside to pay duties, but they also questioned me for 15 minutes. I had all my paperwork ready so they just wasted my time.

Don't even think about hiding stuff, just take the hit. Last thing you want is to be black flagged when going to the states.

PS. Ohh if you didn't know...declare the exact amount on your reciept...and you also don't have to pay duties on shipping.

http://www.thelettercarrier.com/

keifun

07-05-2010, 03:18 PM

Ship it to the border...Blaine or Pt. Roberts. Its much better than having it shipped to Canada.

Like some others have said, get some cheap gas while you're there too.

johny

07-05-2010, 03:21 PM

rule 1. never ever use UPS to ship across the border. if they will ship USPS then ship to canada. if only UPS then pick up down there.

you will get rapped with UPS cross border.

another thing to consider is if store is in wash you will probbaly pay wash tax if you ship to point roberts.

Amuse

07-05-2010, 04:04 PM

I'll probably pick it up at Blaine or Pt. Roberts. Pay the $93 tax.
Is that all I have to pay?
Is there like another 6% duty charge if I bring it over the border myself??

johny

07-05-2010, 04:05 PM

you will pay HST and duty. you will save brokeridge and the shipping costs.

EmperorIS

07-05-2010, 04:07 PM

StylinRed

07-05-2010, 04:13 PM

there's duties and taxes; you'll have to pay that regardless of how you get it sent

damn .. i certainly don't want UPS to start styling on me :p

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rapped

:P

J____

07-05-2010, 04:29 PM

how do you request to clear customs yourself if you ship with UPS?

I've calculated gas is $10 there and back from central richmond to point roberts.

G-spec

07-05-2010, 04:33 PM

I got 2 bumpers shipped to my door, $700 each bumper $1400 total shipped to my front door.... or so I thought!
so anyway it finally arrives in Vancouver and it gets held up at the shipping depot which was TST overland Express (<- fuck these fags), I go to pick it up and they tell me I need a broker agent to get my bumper, so I was forced to pay $200 to clear each bumper, so $400 total just to clear my bumpers that were supposed to get delivered to my front door in the first fuckin place.

so my conclusion is fuck shipping to Canada, I went to Point Roberts to pick up my wheels that were $2500, on the way back into Canada I paid just under $100 to clear them, I don't get how any of this works and percentages and what not, but I will never ship to my front door again..

my suggestion bro is Point Roberts or Blaine !

joquio

07-05-2010, 04:36 PM

Don't even think about shipping to Canada via UPS.

I been using the letter carrier for the longest time they are not bad. I recently stopped using them because the CBS Agents at Point Roberts are getting on my nerves. I always have invoice or receipt ready whenever I can and declare whatever I picked up. (Seriously don't even thinking about hiding stuff because there is pretty no other reason for you to go to PR other than picking up packages). Last time they hold me for about 2 hrs just because they got suspicious when I honestly told them that the car I was driving was my friend's. I'm OK with them being suspicious but not when they pull out their tool box and try to fumble around my car with a screwdriver. Also, I don't see the reason why they would hold me their for almost 2 hrs and ask me unrelated questions like why the leased car is modded, WTF?!
Anyways, after 2 hrs they let me go without paying taxes on the tires that I picked up I guess because they know they wasted my time for nothing.

I've been using Hagen's of Blaine for my last couple purchases and been happy with them. They are very friendly and I find the drive actually closer than going to PR.
Also, I find chances are higher that you will be let through without paying taxes if you go to Blaine vs. PR.

joquio

07-05-2010, 04:52 PM

how do you request to clear customs yourself if you ship with UPS?

I've calculated gas is $10 there and back from central richmond to point roberts.

Call UPS ahead and tell them you want to self declare your package.
Go to UPS warehouse near Airport in richmond.
Give them the tracking number and ask that you want to clear the customs yourself. Ask for a Form. Take that form to CBSA office 3211 GRANT MCCONACHIE WAY. It's really close about 2 min drive from the warehouse. Give them your form and they'll ask you to pay tax. Take the stamped form back to UPS and they should hand you your package.

PS: I would suggest to avoid this method too because the UPS warehouse service is horrible. Almost everytime I went I had to wait at least 20+min. (When you clear customs yourself you have to wait twice, once to get the form and once when you go back to pick up the package.)

inv4zn

07-05-2010, 06:03 PM

^wow, that's some good info.

Although that sounds like a terrible waste of time as well lol

Amuse

07-05-2010, 07:03 PM

...

tegz

07-05-2010, 07:40 PM

Get them installed at a shop in the states!!

Audi-Quattro

07-05-2010, 07:44 PM

Besides Hagen's, what are some commonly used mailboxes at Blaine?

J____

07-05-2010, 07:54 PM

^wow, that's some good info.

Although that sounds like a terrible waste of time as well lol

it's not bad considering you'll need more time if you ship to point roberts.

Gh0stRider

07-05-2010, 08:02 PM

Besides Hagen's, what are some commonly used mailboxes at Blaine?

http://www.pacificmailandparcel.com/

InvisibleSoul

07-05-2010, 08:05 PM

Everyone responds like they know what they're talking about, but yet pretty much everything that's been said is incomplete or even plain wrong.

Listen up, here's the scoop.

If you ship it to the US and bring it back yourself, it will cost you the following: $60 shipping + Duty + HST

If you ship it to Canada directly by UPS Ground, it will cost you the following: $100 shipping + $61.40 brokerage + duty + HST

So basically, you're looking at paying at LEAST over $100 extra for shipping to Canada directly by UPS Ground.

HOWEVER... if you can get the seller to ship it to Canada directly via UPS Expedited, then there is NO brokerage charge. Say the cost to upgrade to UPS Expedited is $25, so the total will be the following: $125 Shipping + Duty + HST

It will still cost over $60 more to ship directly to Canada.

Bottom line is, anytime there is a significant difference in shipping price to the US and Canada, that alone is enough to determine that shipping to Point Roberts is a better option.

johny

07-05-2010, 09:23 PM

threezero

07-05-2010, 09:39 PM

with courier companies if you under declare it is very unlikely custom will open it and check as the company declares it for you. 80% of my large packages from usps has been open by the custom and i swear it gets lost in the custom warehouse for a week before it gets moving, doesn't really make a difference if you are shipping something cheap but it you are shipping something really expensive it could make a big difference.

Delerious

07-06-2010, 08:54 AM

I wouldn't trust the brokerage on their site... it could be 300.. I swear some guy just marks it however he wants. i've seen boxes double in price by UPS. IE $400 worth of goods with a $400 UPS bill at the door.

I've seen this as well, I've since stopped using UPS for anything. They're a bunch of scheisty bastards.

woob

07-06-2010, 09:40 AM

Besides Hagen's, what are some commonly used mailboxes at Blaine?

My family and I use Mail Boxes International. It's right by the Cost Cutter/Shell Station/mini mall on D Street.

Tapioca

07-06-2010, 09:50 AM

Bottom line is, anytime there is a significant difference in shipping price to the US and Canada, that alone is enough to determine that shipping to Point Roberts is a better option.

Except when you factor in your time, particularly if you cannot get to Point Roberts during business hours (the last time I checked, none of those PO box places are open on Sundays, or into the late evening.)

bikerx

07-06-2010, 12:58 PM

nvm...

buddy

07-06-2010, 01:31 PM

J____

07-06-2010, 05:04 PM

I usually have stuffs sent to Point Roberts or Blaine, picked them up from the PO box then repacked it and mailed it to my house using USPS as gifts ...

post office is 2 blocks away from Hagen's in Blaine and right next door from TSB in Point Roberts, so easy ...

gift doesnt always work. You can still be taxed on it by the discretion of the officer dealing with it.

"Goods returned" however....

I dont understand the need to go there and ship it to yourself again though. Why not just bring it over the border since you are there. If it's something significant enough that you'll have to pay alot of tax on, im sure the shipping cost will cost the same.

CorneringArtist

07-06-2010, 07:07 PM

Get them installed at a shop in the states!!

I wonder about this...Seeing as I have family in the States, what if I did a private sale with a seller for rims/tires down there (or with a shop for that matter), installed them on my car, and came back up? Would I still need to pay taxes on them, even though they are on my car?

InvisibleSoul

07-06-2010, 11:03 PM

Except when you factor in your time, particularly if you cannot get to Point Roberts during business hours (the last time I checked, none of those PO box places are open on Sundays, or into the late evening.)

True to a degree. It takes about half hour each way from East Vancouver, plus factor in another half hour for the borders and pickup.

However, you can also factor getting a full tank of gas for cheaper while you're down there...

So...

Shipping to Point Roberts is worth it if:

90 minutes > Difference in shipping cost - $3 for picking up package + Savings of gas purchase

StealthFighter

07-06-2010, 11:28 PM

Except when you factor in your time, particularly if you cannot get to Point Roberts during business hours (the last time I checked, none of those PO box places are open on Sundays, or into the late evening.)

hagens is open until 8pm on wednesdays.

I wonder about this...Seeing as I have family in the States, what if I did a private sale with a seller for rims/tires down there (or with a shop for that matter), installed them on my car, and came back up? Would I still need to pay taxes on them, even though they are on my car?

if you're buying wheels, what are you doing with your old ones?

buddy

07-07-2010, 08:07 AM

gift doesnt always work. You can still be taxed on it by the discretion of the officer dealing with it.

"Goods returned" however....

I dont understand the need to go there and ship it to yourself again though. Why not just bring it over the border since you are there. If it's something significant enough that you'll have to pay alot of tax on, im sure the shipping cost will cost the same.

I ship it because there is a good chance I dun get tax on it ... bring it over in person will get taxed for sure ... been there, done that ...

shipping cost is cheap for me because what I order regularly is pretty light in weight ...

Amuse

07-07-2010, 09:04 AM

What if I picked up and bring over used wheels or used car parts over from point roberts/blaine. Do I need to declare or pay tax and duties? But there is no receipt, just forum deals.

syee

07-07-2010, 09:13 AM

What if I picked up and bring over used wheels or used car parts over from point roberts/blaine. Do I need to declare or pay tax and duties? But there is no receipt, just forum deals.

If you paid via Paypal or some other similar method, print out the payment page and bring it with you just in case. That's what I usually do, although to be honest, I think they've only ever looked at my receipts once in the 4 years I've been going back and forth across the border.

CorneringArtist

07-07-2010, 03:46 PM

if you're buying wheels, what are you doing with your old ones?

Trunking them. I should be able to fit 4 15-inch wheels in there since my trunk is pretty big... Or I can keep them at my uncle's until I can find a way to bring them back.

syee

07-07-2010, 03:54 PM

I wonder about this...Seeing as I have family in the States, what if I did a private sale with a seller for rims/tires down there (or with a shop for that matter), installed them on my car, and came back up? Would I still need to pay taxes on them, even though they are on my car?

Yes, you'll technically still have to pay taxes on them even if they are on your car. You're still importing them whether they're on your car or in your trunk. Therefore, you have to pay the associated taxes and duties on the item.

Most people try to get away with paying the taxes by having the tires mounted in the US (and the retailer would discard their old tires) and driving back with the new tires. Essentially, they're evading the taxes by making it look like they didn't buy anything. (as it would be difficult for the Customs people to prove if they had new tires going down or whether they bought them in the US). The fact that you have them mounted on your car, and the old ones in the trunk would make it even more difficult if you wanted to try this method as there is fairly concrete proof in your trunk that proves otherwise.

CorneringArtist

07-07-2010, 04:06 PM

^ Thanks for that. Now I can just figure out whether or not the price differential of buying used in the States or up here (ie. RS if the right ones come up on the B&S), is worth paying the duty and taxes.

lgman

07-08-2010, 04:36 PM

I don't know why you people say you get dinged for Duties going across Point Roberts when the stuff is shipped into the states, and you've picked it up yourself. I've only had to pay GST & PST (Before June) last time I went. It was a whopping $44 in taxes for $400~ set of shocks, and I got the items shipped free to USA. And its only 60KM to & from so if you need gas it will save you 20c a litre filling up down there.

P.S never ship UPS. For service and value you're much better off with Fedex or USPS, even DHL FFS

InvisibleSoul

07-08-2010, 06:53 PM

I don't know why you people say you get dinged for Duties going across Point Roberts when the stuff is shipped into the states, and you've picked it up yourself.
Because you're supposed to. Of course, it depends on what type of item it is and where it is made.

If you've never had to pay duty, then it's one of three things:
1.) The type of items you bought are not subject to duties
2.) The type of items you bought are subject to duties, but was made in North America
3.) The border guards were too lazy to look up the proper designation of the item to determine the actual duty rate, and just classified it under something more common that does not have duties instead.