zorrow Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 I'm shipping a USA-made guitar from Canada to the US. Do you know if there will be any customs/import fees for the guy receiving the guitar in the US?TIA!
tbonesullivan Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Depends entirely how it is declared on the customs forms.
crunchee Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 For what it's worth, when I was stationed overseas and sending anything back home to the US (like excess winter stuff I wasn't using), I would list the item on the Customs Declaration form WITH the country of origin/manufacture, especially if it was US manufacture, so that there was no duty involved. As it was, since I was sending stuff via the APO/FPO mail system, I don't think they ever opened any of my stuff to verify, at least I'm not aware of it.
tbonesullivan Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 the APO/FPO system is unlike standard mail and other carriers. Technically sending anything through the APO system does not require crossing any borders, because it is in the US at all times, in the military mail system.
dgstandard Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Nope - US made guitar coming home, no customs. This is correct. I write for the description of contents "USA made electric guitar". Edit: P.S. Happy Canada Day, you hoser
crunchee Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Nope - US made guitar coming home, no customs. This is correct. I write for the description of contents "USA made electric guitar". Edit: P.S. Happy Canada Day, you hoser +1. That's the SAME EXACT THING I used to do! MULTIPLE times! I didn't trust my USA Hamers with the movers when I shipped out of Japan, so they went APO/FPO...and arrived safely. And yes, customs forms DO apply to APO/FPO parcels, going TO and FROM the US, even now, even though it's technically a US mail system, and I was shipping US made guitars! Ask any US Post Office clerk about shipping to a APO/FPO address. That hasn't changed since I started doing that in 1984. In short, US made guitars are duty-free to the US, but you still gotta do the forms, regardless if its Canada Mail/UPS/FedEx, OR APO/FPO! And Happy Canada Day also!
Armitage Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Depending who you ship with, there will still be brokerage fees and possibly taxes on the purchase for the recipient.
veatch Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Depending who you ship with, there will still be brokerage fees and possibly taxes on the purchase for the recipient.Good point - FedEx will charge a brokerage fee to the recipient - not sure about the rest. I think if you use Canada Post, life will be easier.
zorrow Posted July 2, 2012 Author Posted July 2, 2012 Ok, thank you guys. I sold this guitar through eBay. The buyer, after having purchased it (but before paying) asked me if the import fees were included in the shipping price. I didn't write the usual disclaimer "customs and import fees are the responsibility of the buyer", as I assumed this is common knowledge; but I realize now the guy only have three feedbacks on eBay, which means he's a newbie --that's the best case, 'cause he can also be a troublemaker who has changed his identity. So, I replied to him that for the customs brokerage fees it depends on the carrier; but at least, given it's a USA-made, he should pay no import fees. BTW, Canada Post (which translates to USPS your side) doesn't insure for more than 600 bucks. The guitar is worth 1,300, so I think I have no choice but using UPS or FedEx. I will inform myself about how much the guy should pay his side and will consider offering him splitting the brokerage fees -though frankly, it is HIS problem, not mine; but I will try to be nice if the guy remains nice. What a hassle anyways, isn't it? Thanks a lot!
veatch Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Just got a piece of electronic gear that was made in the US from CA off of eBay via FedEx. It was a $20 fee that was billed to me by mail about two weeks after the unit arrived. So you are correct, check with the carrier up front to understand the fees, or the buyer will get a surprise...
dgstandard Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 Canada Post will insure up to $1,000http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGIntDestDetails-e.asp?table=tblCountry&txtLetter=US
Steve Haynie Posted July 2, 2012 Posted July 2, 2012 One time I was hit up for some kind of fees on a piece of gear coming from Canada. All other Canadian purchases never had a fee.
Studio Custom Posted July 8, 2012 Posted July 8, 2012 The US item returning has been covered, but today with NAFTA even a Canadian item would be exempt.
zorrow Posted July 8, 2012 Author Posted July 8, 2012 I talked to the guy at the UPS Store here. He told me the brokerage fee is always 40 bucks, as it's an employee of theirs who should do the paperwork the other side of the border. As of the taxes and everything else, it all depends on the US customs. BTW, I ended using UPS. Shipping with Canada post would have been close to... 300 bucks! With UPS it was 122, insured.
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zorrow
I'm shipping a USA-made guitar from Canada to the US. Do you know if there will be any customs/import fees for the guy receiving the guitar in the US?
TIA!
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