Customs Declaration nonsense.

Rhesus Feces

Rhesus Feces

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Another forum member and I are planning to trade knives. He's from Canada.

I've sent a knife to Canada before, marked "pocket knife" on the declaration slip, sent in a USPS Global Priority flat-rate envelope, and it arrived just fine.

I've never recieved a knife from Canada or anywhere else for that matter, and it's his first time trading to someone in the US.

Does Canada have a global priority flat rate type of thing?

What should I request be put on the declaration slip he would have to fill out?

Am I going to have to pay some type of duties?

Am I going to have to pick it up at the p.o. or will it show up in my mailbox?

BASICALLY, how should we do this to keep hassle to a minimum? :D

PS, I also already have a package on the way from The Netherlands, so what should I expect to have to do upon its arrival to the USA, or will I just find it in the mailbox some afternoon, LOL!

I'd really appreciate whatever you can tell me. THANKS!

MODERATOR, put this wherever it'll gather the most responses if it doesn't belong here :eek:
 
Originally posted by Rhesus Feces

Does Canada have a global priority flat rate type of thing?

What should I request be put on the declaration slip he would have to fill out?

Am I going to have to pay some type of duties?

Am I going to have to pick it up at the p.o. or will it show up in my mailbox?

BASICALLY, how should we do this to keep hassle to a minimum? :D

PS, I also already have a package on the way from The Netherlands, so what should I expect to have to do upon its arrival to the USA, or will I just find it in the mailbox some afternoon, LOL!

I'd really appreciate whatever you can tell me. THANKS!

MODERATOR, put this wherever it'll gather the most responses if it doesn't belong here :eek:
Click to expand...
There is xpresspost USA... it provides tracking, 100CDN insurance. You could declare by writing the brand and model, or you could write cutlery. If he put merchandise, brand and model and a certain amount, you might pay duties. Of course, if you're repairing the knife, that would be different ;)
I woulnd't know whether you'd have to pick it up at the PO or in your mailbox.
 
Yeah, to save inspection time, put "table cutlery" or "kitchen cutlery" on item description.

For convienuince on his end, check off "gift/sample" on the customs identification thing. This will save him alot of money depending on the taxes within that province.

You might have to pay a fee/tariff on your incoming package(s), they (customs) just grab say the every 15th one for that, it's randomly chosen. It might just arrive into your mail box.:)

Rather simple, also if you need help on importing the "banned" items, I can help.:)

Isnt that much of a hassle to ship NORTH AMERICA, not just CONUS. :(

Calyth, there was no need to qoute him as you were the first person responding. ;)

Feces, congrats on 177th post.:cool:
 
I've recieved 2x now from the US... latest was 5weeks ago...

mark it "Tools-Hand" and "gift/sample"... I only paid my taxes(13%, fu&#99king gov't), no duty on them...

I've only sent a knife once, march of '01, so it may not be applicable now... but I marked it the same and sent back down... no problems there either.

as to recieving, if there are payments due(ie duty, taxes, etc), it will arrive at your door(or P.O.) awaiting payment. otherwise it will showup in your mailbox...

1st time, trade, no dues... in mailbox...
2nd time, purchase, taxes... at door at 1030hrs. if I didn't pay then, it was going to the P.O. for pickup after 1700hrs.

you can also request signature, and have it show up at either your door or the P.O. until you pick it up and sign.
 
Hi Josh, actually the customs declaration is for the customs department in the destination country. When the Leatherman arrives here to me I will have to pay GST and a handling fee and any duties that Canada Customs sees fit.

When I am sending items to the US I declare the value low unless its an expensive item. I ship to the US with Xpresspost and get the $100 in insurance in case something goes wrong. I will also increase that insurance depending on the value of the item being shipped.

I have to declare what is in the package and depending I either put cutlery or tool on the package, that way is less attactive to some postal worker who is looking for a 10 finger discount.

I also declare that it is a gift, and have not had any issues with it so far.

So in a nutshell here is what I recommend.

If sending from Canada to the US use Xpress Post, insure it as you see fit, package it well to avoid damage and declare it on the customs slip as you see fit.

When getting items from the US I prefer USPS Global Priority since it allows for tracking and insurance and takes a short time to get here. Depending on the values involved the seller and I usually discuss what to declare on the customs sticker.

I will never use UPS to have items sent to me from the US, UPS in Canada charge a $30 brokerage fee for anything they get their hands on and sometimes thats more than the value of the item coming in.

Anyhow, good trading with you and I hope the Benchmade arrives to you in good condition soon.


Shane
 
I quoted him because it allows me not to flip back an forth to see his comments and stuff.
I usually send things down (including MOs) in xpresspost because I could track them. They say 3-4 days xpresspost for letters, but don't count on it until after a week.
If you're sending up to Canada, please don't use courier, and I've learned to demand priority post.
 
That's awful nice of you to send me a Benchmade Shane!

I'm just not sure why? :D

What model is it and how's the lockup?

:rolleyes:
 
Doh! Sorry Josh, I must have my deals mixed up!!


I traded a BM 556 for a Leatherman to another Josh in this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=221561 and I was confused about who I was dealing with.

BTW, I got the Calypso Jr and am very pleased with it (I knew we did something but I must be forgetful in my old age) its a great knife and complements my PE Calypso Jr.

Lol, I guess I had better think more clearly next time I post a reply.




Shane
 
I have recieved three packages from the states and I have never been charged a dime of taxes.

You also have to remeber the amount of time it will take for packages to arrive when shipping between Canada.
I dunno what method of transport glasshart used for my ss delica but it took about two weeks to get here. My other order took about a week from fellow fourmite Lag3. I think he may have used priotrity shipping on that one.
 
I just received some Wustof kitchen knives from the Netherlands that were shipped UPS. Price was about $250.00. Then I got a duty/import tax bill in the mail from UPS for $15.00. This happened before on an order from Germany also.
 
jjcoolay> don't know what she used on yours, but mine was at my door on day 3 from her sending it.

if you use Canada Post, it takes a hell of a long time. Last time I sent as Air Mail(in March '01), and got a reply after he got it... ended up as ground after the US border. took 13 days for his...
 
Canada Post; By Express Post, small pocket tool, gift. About 7 days and to your door anywhere in the US proper if you have a mailman. No extra fees. Insurance $1.00 per hundred with the first hundred included.
 
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