Topic: Shipping to Canada ?

[gregk]

I'm not sure this is the correct location for this subject but, 
Anyone shipping motorcycle parts to canada should make sure the description on the declaration is " motorcycle parts"
I just received some parts and the sender had indicated on the declaration form that it was a "bike part". 
When customs in Canada sees this they think that it is a bicycle part or ( bicyclette) which is subject to a duty and handling fee as well.  This was not the shippers fault as I should have informed him of the GST ( goods and service tax).
So it is a great help if shippers sending parts to Canada declare them as motorcycle parts and save us the GST.

Thanks to all for who have gone to the trouble to ship parts to me.

Greg

[754]

Umm..you still pay broker fee and GST  on MC parts.. bicyle I think is sales tax free.

Could be a duty on it though if it is a not made in USA part.

 I usually ask them to put "Motorcycle part, made in USA" on the parcel..

[upperlake04]

 "used motorcycle part" has always worked for me without duty etc. And always have it shipped USPS rather than with the UPS thieves.

[754]

ditto on the USPS...

 you be walking funny after "the brown truck guys' get through with you..

[gregk]

I have received two different parts through the mail in the last two days.  The first was the "bike parts" which cost me and additional $ 5.10 for GST with a declared value of $102.00 and a handling fee of $ 5.00.
The next day I received a switch which was described as " motorcycle vehicle parts"  with declared value of $ 150.00 and paid no GST or handling fee. 
Any parts that have been described as "motorcycle parts" either used or new always get to me without a GST or handling fee.
And yes we don't deal with UPS or any other courier.  Best to use the post office.


Greg

[old76cr]

Hi Greg.  Anything  20.00 U.S. declared value and over is supposed to get hit with the 5 or 8 dollar handling fee plus gst when it goes through customs. Some times you get lucky and items get through customs without charge  like you did. If the item is coming from a private seller, and is less than say 100, I usually ask if they are willing to declare the value of the item at 19.00 in a note or email when I am making payment. That usually works out. Don't bother asking a businesses however.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

How about "broken motorcycle parts-warranty return"

[Bodi]

It's not a good idea to play games with Canada Customs. "Adjusting" declared values is pretty normal with private sales, don't try it if you run a business though. Using "sample - no commercial value" is OK a few times, but CC will notice if a non-business is getting a lot of samples. Same with "warranty" no-value claims - they are keeping track of this stuff, and abuse will get their attention.
Basically they don't know what old used stuff is worth, but they know who is getting shipments. A pattern of oddball shipments to you will draw attention, and you'll have to justify all of them when they come calling. This is never fun. And the penalties for fraud and/or smuggling are definitely not in the "fun" category.
Postal service is absolutely best. The postal customs guys are either the laziest or the nicest, stuff often gets through totally free. You usually get dinged for GST on declared value, and there's some duty on new stuff depending on country of origin - if it's USA origin there's no duty.
UPS, Fedex, DHL, whatever... avoid whenever possible. Just when you're smiling about not paying duty and tax, you get a bill for both plus $40.00 or so for "processing" if the delivery guy didn't collect it on delivery. You can specify a customs broker to process the shipment but realistically you won't get it much cheaper. If you ignore their bill you won't be able to ship using that service again (you can take stuff to their depot but they will not pick up at your address), any duty/tax/processing charges will forever be COD on deliveries, plus you'll get endless pestering from a collection agency.

[754]

I dont really ask to get it declared at a lower price, but I do ask to list it at actual value or less, because I have to pay taxes and fees, based on value. Then they can decide what they call the value, or if it is a gift.

A lot of sellers get offended if you ask them to bend the rules.. it is their responsiblity., and they will get hassled not you.

Keep in mind at anytime Customs can give their own evaluation of value and charge accordingly.. and yes they do check on ebay.

 The main reason I started wording the listed value part like I did, is often a shipper or their helper likes to PUT HIGHER VALUE on items!! .. I suspect it it to gain a bit if you do go thru the hassle of a claim.. but when they put 50.00 value an a 13.00 piece, 1 or 2 things happen..

More likely to get charged tax and broker fee..

Paying the higher than it should be, fees..

 BTW stuff under 20.00 not getting  charged.. not true in all cases..

[kaysystems]

After reading the Customs payable list a long time ago, I found out that "Vintage Motorcycle Parts" are duty free (so are CD players - huh?).
USPS is certainly the way to go. With Mr. Brown there is a broker fee, even if they charge no duty/tax. The Post Office charge $5.00 ONLY if they take duty.
I don't ask sellers to bend the rules as over a long period there will be a few ups & downs, but using USPS it's an overall saving.

David

[754]

I once got a shipment of vintage bicycle tanks,  they must have thought they were tanktops, and charged duty for clothing on them..