Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => General Talk => Topic started by: FirstTimer on March 28, 2011, 01:46:15 PM
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Has anyone ordered anything from the US recently. I am looking to get a few things off of Quadratec specifically, wheels 5 x 15x8, Bushwacker flate fender flares, and a few other smaller items. So my question is anyone remember what the duties and taxes they paid on specific product at specific prices?
Thanks so much,
Kyle
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Quadratec is horribly over priced, even the guys on the US forums think so. Call Stan first and see what he can do for you.
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^^What he said^^
If a US place will ship via USPS, it may be worthwhile. If they're going to ship UPS, expect to get violated.
Stan ships for free.
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If a US place will ship via USPS, it may be worthwhile. If they're going to ship UPS, expect to get violated.
Ditto.
In addition to your parts, and the up-front shipping costs, you will have to pay:
- customs fees
- gst
- duty
- brokerage fees
Depending on a few things you can try to minimize the damage:
- Parts made in Mexico, US, or Canada are covered under NAFTA, and you won't be hit with duty.
- UPS (and FedEx?) tend to charge huge brokerage and processing fees, although I have heard if you ship air instead of ground, these can be significantly reduced
- USPS is the cheapest of the lot, in my experience, and I like being able to pick the items up after work at the local post office (vs. waiting for the truck to come around again)
- DHL charges hefty fees, but you pay for everything up front (in my experience I believe even the gst and customs fees were included in the shipping cost)
There are a few exceptions:
- Tirerack has a deal with UPS, all shipping costs are up front (you're probably still hit with GST, I can't remember)
- untested, but NewEgg has a deal with UPS as well, where the brokerage fees are charged directly by NewEgg (at a rate of $1)
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I recently ordered ball joints, u joints and jks disconnects from 4wd.com.
They filled out and included all the paper work to get the parts duty free due to them being free trade (made in usa). I didn't pay anything extra on delivery (not even gst).
Things to look for when buying, maybe check to see if they are made in north america (first thing i've had shipped duty free) and ship with USPS if not.
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I buy in US - ship to the border and pick up. A lot of suppliers have free shipping within US.
I see guys from Calgary at MSO picking things up when I'm down there - you just have to drive two hours further than I do.
No duty just pay the GST. No brokerage fees. There is a cost though for Montana Shipping Outlet to receive your package - you can google them to find their rates.
Also easy to shop online for the best prices and place separate orders.
I held off doing this for quite some time but then got pee'd off as our dollar was rising and for some reason Cdn suppliers were raising their prices instead of reducing them.
Make your order large enough to make the drive worth while.
Another thing to remember is you can buy 10 dozen beer per adult each time you cross. A dozen Corona costs about $15.00 with duty and gst - helps pay for the gas. Buy 10 dozen and they'll shave the price by a dollar a dozen.
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Cuzican,
I was going to ask about picking up at the boader thanks for the info. I have one other question regarding this though, how much can you buy, dollar-wise?
thanks
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I have ordered about $5K in parts so far this year. As far as I understand there is no limit. There is, however, a limit on how much cash you can carry across the border, but that isn't an issue for shipped orders cause they're paid for in advance.
Just make sure you declare everything and pay the duty. Also wise to NOT make the trip down on a long weekend unless you enjoy waiting in line at the border.
MSO is open 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 10:00 to 2:00.
BTW while duty is cheap on beer it isn't on wine or liquor.
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Kyle - I bought a set of 6" bushwacker TJ flattie fenders on sale a year ago at National - they look pretty good on a TJ so I thought I could try and fit them on my YJ - but that won't work (the front section drops further on the TJ fender than on a YJ and I just don't have the heart to hack em up) - they are complete and unused - only thing missing is the giant box they came in - it was taking up too much space in the shop
I scored a few lengths of free salvaged tube and selling my bushwackers is about all the motivation I'll need to make my own fenders instead.
PM your best price on the Bushwackers to your door and I'll beat it as long a I am not taking a total bath on the deal. (I bought mine on sale so I have room to move)
Rob
PS I'll bring em to you in Calgary - I'm actually going to Lethbridge to pick up my new camper on Friday so could find you then if your in a hurry.
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If you must ship UPS form the US (when local options just don't work), it is very easy to act as your own broker. Basically, you let UPS know BEFORE it arrives that you will be acting as broker. When the package arrives, you go to the UPS warehouse, get the paperwork, go to the customs building, give them the paperwork. They will stamp it and charge you gst and/or duty if that applies. You go back to the UPS warehouse, give them the paperwork, then they release the package to you. Super easy to do in Calgary because the buildings are close to each other....
I've done this quite often and it saves BIG $$$. UPS doesn't like it, but screw em.
Google it for more detailed info.
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Great information on buying items through the U.S. Thanks....
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Agreed! To bad canadian suppliers can't match american prices, cuz I would rather stimulate our economy! So much for nafta!
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If you must ship UPS form the US (when local options just don't work), it is very easy to act as your own broker. Basically, you let UPS know BEFORE it arrives that you will be acting as broker. When the package arrives, you go to the UPS warehouse, get the paperwork, go to the customs building, give them the paperwork. They will stamp it and charge you gst and/or duty if that applies. You go back to the UPS warehouse, give them the paperwork, then they release the package to you. Super easy to do in Calgary because the buildings are close to each other....
I've done this quite often and it saves BIG $$$. UPS doesn't like it, but screw em.
Google it for more detailed info.
I have tried to do this. Seems you need the "Shipping Manifest" and "Commercial Invoice" from UPS. This relates the Single box in the shipment of hundreds. Every time I request the documents from UPS, I get a run around, and they ship the box back to the port of entry.
Do you have a brokerage license?
info here:
http://trueler.com/2010/11/24/self-clear-shipment-cbsa-avoid-ups-brokerage-fee/
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No I don't have a brokerage license. Thats a good link. I've always let UPS know as soon as the package is in their system that I'm doing the brokerage myself. Again, UPS doesn't like losing their cut, so they can make it difficult.
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Do you have to pay duty on tires? I looked in to it and as far as I can tell no one seems to be paying duty at the border just gst.
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Cuzican,
I was going to ask about picking up at the boader thanks for the info. I have one other question regarding this though, how much can you buy, dollar-wise?
thanks
I bought a whipple, a bassani exhaust and some 5100 for my Mark LT and the US price was 47xx.xx, I paid $214.xx to bring it across the border myself, and fuel to get there and back.
www.attheborderstorage.com
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i got my flat fender flares from national 4wd took 4 days cost $525
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X2 for checking with Stan first, then 4wd.com and Montana Shipping Outlet. Saved about $2000 on my used half-doors, new bestop and door uppers, stainless hinges, mirrors, etc etc last year.
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Just recieved a cam and intake for my Grand Cherokee 5.9 build from the US delivered UPS. Cost for parts with shipping was about $1200. Cost at the door for tax and import duites was $120.
Normally I use USPS and there are no additional charges but with the postal strike on I didn't want to risk getting my project held up waiting for parts.
I think the duty can vary depending on where the part was made. More if made overseas vs made in America. I once paid $65 for duty/taxs on a $300 item(towing mirrors for my truck). Was pretty cheesed that day!
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you have to shop around.
I just got 4 ARB X-Jacks from quadratec for much much lower than northridge ($60+ savings each) including shipping. why have to bother talking someone down rather than just place an order online and have it at the door 5 days later?
i got it shipped UPS expidited so only had to pay GST but cost around $63 for the 2 boxes they came in.
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there is no duty on auto parts made in the USA. your bill should have had GST and brokerage only.
Just recieved a cam and intake for my Grand Cherokee 5.9 build from the US delivered UPS. Cost for parts with shipping was about $1200. Cost at the door for tax and import duites was $120.
Normally I use USPS and there are no additional charges but with the postal strike on I didn't want to risk getting my project held up waiting for parts.
I think the duty can vary depending on where the part was made. More if made overseas vs made in America. I once paid $65 for duty/taxs on a $300 item(towing mirrors for my truck). Was pretty cheesed that day!
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Thats what ticks me off. Why do I need to pay brokerage on something made in the usa that doesn't have any duties on it?
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cause some guy at a desk has to look up item codes and relay it to the customs people.
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This is true but from what I remember, we could only do it if the item enters canada in Calgary. if the item enters from any other city before transferring here, you would have to be at that city for this to work. I'm not 100% though as I haven't done it like this since I was told which was about 3 years ago.
If you must ship UPS form the US (when local options just don't work), it is very easy to act as your own broker. Basically, you let UPS know BEFORE it arrives that you will be acting as broker. When the package arrives, you go to the UPS warehouse, get the paperwork, go to the customs building, give them the paperwork. They will stamp it and charge you gst and/or duty if that applies. You go back to the UPS warehouse, give them the paperwork, then they release the package to you. Super easy to do in Calgary because the buildings are close to each other....
I've done this quite often and it saves BIG $$$. UPS doesn't like it, but screw em.
Google it for more detailed info.
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Just have what you need sent to Montana Shipping. It's super easy, just involves a little driving. If you go as far as Eureka you might as well keep going to Kallispel for more shopping. ;D