Shipping knives to Canada

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Mattman888

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I was wondering if you know any good websites that ship to Canada. I've been trying too figure out how all this stuff works and it has been EXTREMELY confusing. Like about how you don't have to pay customs if it is made in USA, or like how if it is under a certain price range, you don't have to pay customs. I am a total Benchmade Nut, and i don't know if the "Red Class Items" are going to make my order go up by like $300.00 since they aren't made in the USA. And like how these broker and customs fees add up, and stuff. Basically what I am saying, is that I don't want to get swamped with a bunch of fees. I want to buy my knives like at about 5 at a time. I know there are Canada based websites but they don't always have the knives I am looking for. And no, I'm not trying to buy auto knives or balisongs.
 
Keep it simple: Check out NewGraham.com and ask them to ship with USPS and to tighten the pivot.
 
Always use USPS, I have never had to pay any brokerage fees, etc.

If it is a folder, make sure it can't be flicked open, of it will be seized by Canadian Customs. Either get the shipper to disassemble it, or tighen the pivot, or zip tie it closed.
 
Alright, thanks for the info everyone. So basicly, if I want to order from an american website, I use USPS shipping, and ask them too tighten the pivot? I geuss i'll order from New Graham Knives since it had so many good reviews. Thanks again!
 
Sorry to double post, But since assisted knives are able to flick open, and you can't exactly tighten them, how do you go about getting those shipped?
 
Importing assisted opening knives into Canada can be a real crapshoot. They may be confiscated. Technically they aren't illegal, but each indiviual Customs Inspector has his/her own idea of what is a prohibited item.
 
I had no problems with my assisted opener, and it was opened and checked (so I had small fees, maybe 20$).

IIRC it's the only knife shipped with USPS that I had fees for.
 
Items made in the US do not carry custom charges but you will have to pay provincial sales tax and goods and service tax on the declared value of the knife along with an admin charge if the package is checked by Customs.

USPS has many different shipping options. Using Intl Air will likely get you through customs with no fees as there is minimal insurance available and no tracking. As the package security increases as does the chance it will be checked by Customs and therefore have the taxes/admin charge added. Admin for USPS is $5 for the less secure options up to $8 for USPS Global Express (insurable and tracked).

Courier options are considered even more secure and they carry their own admin charge which is their brokerage charge, runs from $35 to $50 if I remember correctly and then the provincial and gst is added on top of this.

I have never had any problems with USPS services and I've used them all.
 
When a package is checked by Customs it doesn't necessarily mean it is opened, it just means it's been processed by a custom officer, they may or may not open for inspection but they will add the tax to the shipment.

When dealing with a folding knife if it is described this way on the declaration you should expect the package will be opened especially if the declared value is over $100 and you have insurance and tracking.
 
+ 1 on what Muddy672 has to say.

I will add that if your knife is shipped USPS ExpressMail and it weighs 1 lb or less; it will cost you about $28. Usually you will receive it in five - seven work days max. Periodically the Customs area gets backed up and it may take more time. Intl Priority has just recently stopped taking knives because in their wisdom, knives are automatically called weapons not tools.

Being inspected by Customs just means that they are assessing the value, if it is a gift or not and charging you the appropriate tax. They usually inspect too and you can always tell because it has their yellow tape on the end where they open the box.

Avoid UPS if possible - they will hammer you with crazy extra fees like $50 for them to process the transaction and the tax might be less than $15 too!
 
Ok, But like, i'm not exactly talking about shipping somthing that is like, $100.00. I probebly will make orders that are in the $500.00 range without tax. I will be using USPS. How much is that going to cost?
 
using usps ground customs seems to charge me about 13%
using usps air i dont seem to get charged anything
 
Mattman888 said:
I probebly will make orders that are in the $500.00 range without tax. I will be using USPS. How much is that going to cost?
Click to expand...

I just had a package with just over $500 dollars of stuff that was shipped USPS Global Express.I was expecting that since last year,I was not charge any fees to clear custom but that's not the case this time.

Canada Customs charges a handling fee of $ 8 for USPS Global Express and other USPS methods $5.You'll be looking at being charge GST,PST,and a handling fee depending on which usps shipping option is selected.So you're look to be paying around $70 in fees. Hope this helps.
 
Yes that helps very much! Thanks very much for the info everyone! Just one thing though, I still never really got a solid answer about shipping assisted knives... I see them in shops based in Canada with a like $40.00 mark up so I know they are legal... If they do get taken away by customs, Wouldn't that be stealing as it isn't breaking any laws?
 
muddy672 said:
When a package is checked by Customs it doesn't necessarily mean it is opened, it just means it's been processed by a custom officer, they may or may not open for inspection but they will add the tax to the shipment.
Click to expand...

If you were refering to my post. My package was opened. It was mentionned on the form.
 
Mattman888 said:
If they do get taken away by customs, Wouldn't that be stealing as it isn't breaking any laws?
Click to expand...

Not at all. As has been mentioned, each customs officer has their own idea on what is prohibited and what is not. It is based on their understanding of the law. It's fairly common for them to seize things that are completely legal since they assume it's prohib. It happens pretty frequently with the assisted openers.

IMO, sometimes it's just easier to pay a little extra and buy it on this side of the border to avoid it potentially being seized. Better to spend an extra $40 than to be out the total cost of the knife plus shipping.
 
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