[WTB] Tips regarding receiving used gear in US from Canada?

No. Sell to the USA often. Buy often. No easy way. The brokerage fees are a big part of it. I can avoid them when I buy if I ship UPS to Montreal since it is a port of entry. But such is not always the case for most places. But if you can do your own clearance it is cheaper. You also need to make sure the shipped item contains all the right info on where it's made/origin. There regs that deal with stuff the was made in the USA or vice versa.
Hope this is of some help.
 
I'm in Wisconsin. I have purchased used gear twice from Canada. One was direct from sseller about a decade ago and there were unexpected fees collected. A few months ago I purchased through Ebay and gear came without fees required. Not sure why the difference. Current purchase contemplated is direct from seller with paypal, ironically enough Brian, to be shipped from Montreal to me..if I buy it.
 
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When the seller ships gear have them write that it's X for repair. I have dont that with lenses a few times and never had any issues with either sending or receiving.
 
i jus bought a 501HDV from a user on this forum, good price but paid $45 in brokerage. that was insane.woul
d like to know how to reduce this so i can purchase more equipment as welli
 
I don't think it is a good idea to lie or at best to advocate someone do so especially in a public forum. The USA's homeland security folks/customs are not likely to be fooled nor are they going be happy if they bust you. Pay the duty/tax. Check ahead to see if the item is exempt due to it's origin. Check with the shipping company so you know. In most cases it is the shipping company that is gouging under the handling fees and brokerage. So much for "Free Trade"IMHO.
 
There is a CBP service port about an hour away. Will call them Monday and see if picking up there helps. Shipping USPS might help too..but there are potential problems there. If anyone has suggestions, you can send privately if you prefer.
 
likewise
also since im newish to DVX user
can we post about good or bad reviews based on transactions? would be greatly beneficial
 
Last time I ordered something from the US to Canada with DHL shipping, it cost me 11$ of customs fees. When I went to the local DHL store, they told me that with the weight of the package, when the seller ships it, they can calculate the customs fees so the seller can add it to the price. Or the seller could send you another invoice for the customs, so the package isn't hold there waiting for the payment to be delivered (that's what happened to me last time...for 11$).
Anyway, you can ask the seller to ask the cost of the fees, and then ask him to send you the invoice with them included so you'll pay only once and it won't be kept in the customs awaiting on the payment for the delivery. That's what I would do.
 
Gweilo66 said:
Hadn't considered DHL..will look into it.
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I guess Puro/UPS and other delivery service can calculate it when the seller ships the package: it's based on the declared value & weight/size of the package from what I've been told at DHL. So basically, it's possible to have the customs fees already paid and included in the invoice.
 
Most items in our realm that are purchased in the US and imported to Canada are subject to our provincial and federal sales taxes or the in some provinces the harmonized sales tax. In some cases you will only have to pay the Federal tax GST and that has been my experience over the past several years. I have NEVER been charged duty by Canada Customs nor has anyone who bought from me had to pay duty on video/audio gear and I have bought and sold items for amounts in excess of $5,000.00 each like cameras and lenses i. The cost is, as I said earlier the brokerage fees charged by shipping companies for "Clear" your item. Phone and ask the shipping company ahead what the fee will be and more than likely it will be based on the value of the item and not the weight. I recently sold a Carbon Fibre boom pole to a fellow DVXUser who was in San Fran. He got nailed for $64.95 by UPS and when I called to complain I was told it was customs brokerage fees. This was for an item that was originally from the United States and that was clearly indicated on the shipping documentation. USP could care less they just gouge you and there is nothing you can do. It works going both ways if you can't clear the item yourself. You have to be near the shippers bonded warehouse to pick up the docs and then you take them to customs and then you go back and get your item or you pay them at the door.
 
Local customs port fellow suggested going through UPS to be more predictive. Called UPS for estimate last Thursday (today Monday), was told I would be contacted and still no info. Ya know...never mind....
 
Gweilo66 said:
Local customs port fellow suggested going through UPS to be more predictive.
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Well, regarding how B&H works with Purolator (calculates customs fees and shipping when you place order) I'd say you could try the same and calls Purolator for an estimation. I'm pretty sure (as I've been told by the guy at DHL) that they can caculate it when shipping the package: customs are calculated depending on the declared value + package dimensions & weight.
 
oh just to clarify i paid 46 in brokerage for a 501HDV head in box.
item listed at $100 value.

this was with UPS. guess we should look at cheaper methods.
ive also heard about asking to list as a gift and customs should be less
 
even if you mark items as gifts, they still charge brokerage.
i had an item priced at 800 marked as a gift and they charged me brokerage anyway
couldnt get out of that

even had an item marked as 300 and they charged me the same brokerage.
best is to mark around 100. i paid 45 i believe versus 58 on both counts

the thing is though, ups charges 2.10 per $100. so if you devalue your item, you cant insure it for the actual value.
 
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