Mail Order Duty into Canada?

[turbos86]

Hi man, I want to ask you if you had to pay any extra taxes when you receive your order from HLJ. You know how our gov't is, they charge tax on everything. I ordered a video a few weeks back from a auto parts store in the US, they labelled the package as "Auto parts" (I wonder why...it's just a video) and the Canadian Custom charge me $12.00CND for tax!!!

[pkw1]

hey man, ya they usually charge you a duty on EVERYTHING that comes over the border.. doesn't matter which side of it.

I ordered 2 (1:24) kits, some 10 sets of rims, 6 metal exhaust systems all at once, and only got charged $10Cdn for them all, so it's not too bad.. what did you buy?

[turbos86]

Hey, that's not too bad!

I just ordered a freekin' video from zigzag asia...whatever their name was...Best Motoring International Vol2. the video was $20USD, but they put "Auto parts" on the package...so I got charge more at custom..

Only $10 for that many items...I'm placing my order in HLJ soon!
thanks

[Jay!]

Side note, guys... try to keep the Attn: posts to a minimum. If it's really something for just one person, use email or a private message. Otherwise, try to use the title of the thread to describe the contents. This will help all our users.

Okay, enough of that. Please continue...

[turbos86]

OHok!
sorry, I'm still pretty new to the forum

[Jay!]

Originally posted by turbos86
OHok!
sorry, I'm still pretty new to the forum

It's cool! It's for everyone, not just you. This topic is fine, it's just the title I'm worried about. Thanks.

[turbos86]

More questions!

For HLJ payment methods, what's the difference between:
SAL, Air mail, EMS Int'l Express Mail and Surface Mail. HLJ does not state any price figures for them.

thanks

[genX]

hey turbos86 i'm from vancouver too! anyways i was thinking of buying from HLJ too but was also scared of the shipping charges. I was told before that customs will be more slack if you label them as gifts is that true?
oh and where can you get AE86 model besides HLJ

[G-Forces]

Originally posted by genX
hey turbos86 i'm from vancouver too! anyways i was thinking of buying from HLJ too but was also scared of the shipping charges. I was told before that customs will be more slack if you label them as gifts is that true?
oh and where can you get AE86 model besides HLJ

I've ordered more stuff from the US than I can remember. If you can get the vendor to cooperate you can declare it as a gift up to $60 or $100 in value. Then they'll start charging duty and tax. Don't include an invoice or they'll charge you the total. You might be able to also get a vendor to lower teh value of the package on the invoice so you pay less. I.e. pay half up front and have half the value declared on the package. Also I find UPS will charge a borkerage fee of about $35 plus they'll charge duty and tax where regular post will usually skip it.

So to answer your question SAL would be the best bet as you'll probably end up having it delivered by Canada Post. Also remember if customs thinks it looks fishy or weird they can send it back to the shipper. Worst case they will seize the goods and you're out of luck. So beware.

Final note. I just ordered a HUGE amount of stuff from HLJ and I'm awaiting a couple kit to get in stock before they ship it. This is my test order. Should be interesting.

[turbos86]

OMG!!

So I should ask HLJ to label it as a gift?!
Oh man, why all the taxes!!

genX: I got my AE86 model from Hong Kong. My friend brought it over from her trip there. I've only seen AE101 in local hobby shops here. HLJ should be the only way

Thanks for the help guys!

[G-Forces]

Originally posted by turbos86

So I should ask HLJ to label it as a gift?!
Oh man, why all the taxes!!

Well you'd pay tax on it if you bought it in canada anyway.

I'd just do it legit. If they see a 'gift' coming in from a legit company they'll probably just seize the goods and you'll lose all you're money. Have it sent SAL and it will still probably be less that what you pay anyway.

[Jay!]

Last order I got from them, I believe they put "Toy" on the customs tag. If I still have that box, I'll double check for you when I get home.

[turbos86]

Ok, i won't ask them to label it as "gift"
I guess the tax won't be that high for "toy"....."auto parts" on a video box...go figure!