Average Customs price for guitars shipped to Canada

[Mario8672]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but
I was wondering what the average price on customs tax (tariffs) on guitars coming to Canada would be. I'm guessing somewhere around $70-$90 Canadian $



Thanks!

[cookiemonster2]

The two Jacksons I had shipped from the US this year cost me about $250 each in brokerage fees and GST. The guitars were each new and worth about the same amount, but one was shipped by UPS and the other DHL, so they seem to be fairly similar on their brokerage fees. DHL was amazingly fast compared to UPS. Actual shipping fees of about $60 were on top of the $250.

It doesn't seem to make sense but I can buy a new USA Jackson from Matt's Music, pay all of the customs, brokerage, and shipping fees; and it will still be at least $100 cheaper than what it would cost from one of my local Jackson dealers.

[cookiemonster2]

Just checked actual amounts
- SL2H shipped via UPS $170 brokerage and GST
- SLS shipped via DHL $265 brokerage and GST

[Mario8672]

It would be even less if it was marked as :
-Used
-Gift
-$300

right?

[cookiemonster2]

If the guitar is used then there would be no GST and the value of the guitar wouldn't be relevant. I assume the shipping company still charges a brokerage fee for doing the paperwork for Canada Customs.

[Mario8672]

If the guitar is used then there would be no GST and the value of the guitar wouldn't be relevant. I assume the shipping company still charges a brokerage fee for doing the paperwork for Canada Customs.

Do you have a rough estimate on that fee?

[cookiemonster2]

Assuming CRA valued my guitars correctly (which they probably didn't), from the fees I paid above it looks like $100 to $140 was for brokerage. Call DHL or UPS, they should be able to tell you exactly what they charge. Who knows, there may be some fee that they pay to Canada Revenue Agency on your behalf too.

[kelly user]

if it is coming from the states, it is a lot cheaper to use USPS.

[Frigo89]

it cost me $70 to pickup a $450 guitar.

which is getting sold in favor of a BC Rich Gunslinger

[neilli]

Having learnt by mistake - get guitars sent by the cheapest air option. Both UPS and FedEx include the brokerage fee in all air options. While for me the shipping was $60 more, it saved $80 in fees and took 3 days instead of 10.... (NYC to Vancouver)

[OnlineStageGear]

What happened to NAFTA ??

[neilli]

That only saves duties rather than tax - I have no idea of the difference, but I saved a 3% duty with a NAFTA, but still paid Canadian GST and PST...

[outsider666]

I always thought we had to pay taxes (GST & PST) based on the listed value of the parcel (on anything over $250) and a brokerage fee, a $300 guitar cost me about $50-$60 to pick up....as for brokerage fees I think they vary with the service....I prefer UPS because the USPS and Canada Post can LICK MY ASS!!!......

[thez0r]

Do you have a rough estimate on that fee?

In Ontario we pay 15% of what the item was valued at by the sender on the green US customs sticker. We only have to pay if the value marked on the sticker is over the equivalent of $50 Canadian ie, if its marked at $45 USD = $50 CAD you wind up paying 15%, if its marked at $25 USD you don't pay anything. If you have to pay there is also a flat $5 handling fee for Canada Customs to type up the invoice. The "gift" tick box also means absolutely nothing to customs.

If the item is insured, than Canada Customs will tax you at what the insured value of the goods are.

The above is all assuming you are using USPS;

If you are using a shipping company like UPS, DHL, FedEx, EMS, etc they are going to railroad you with heavy duty "brokerage" fees and then the actual taxes are seperate. Thats their fancy word for taking the package across to border and clearing customs for you. Usually the bigger the box the bigger the brokerage fees they are pretty arbitrary and hard to predict. Not to mention less reliable and the UPS & Fedex drivers on this side of the border don't usually give a shit about anything.

[outsider666]

Just as a point of reference, it cost me $223.65 CAD to pick up a guitar with a $1100 USD value on it today from UPS, I'm not sure offhand how that breaks down, I'd have to find the bill......ouch.......