Canadian Customs Question ? Ontario Members

I live in Toronto and use Ebay.
I learned that Items under $20.00 Canadian are both duty and tax exempt. This is great except that anything over $20.00 is flagged and I must pay GST + PST + $5.00 additional postage. Duty too if it applies.

I find that this limits my bidding to about $17.00 US. to keep safely under the $20.00 CND

A lot of Handcuffs sell right around this amount and I have to pass on bidding because I don't want to get caught up in the tax and duty mess.

If the seller would mark the order as a "GIFT" it brings the exempt amount up to $60.00 CND. I usually ask for this but most sellers are reluctant to do so.

I guess what I'm asking is: anyway around this ???
Has anybody found a legal loophole to avoid paying more than they have to.

Thanks Guys !

Ron (Toronto)

Hi Ron,

I have been around eBay for some time and have found that if I pay for Global Priority Mail (either flat rate small, large or variable weight), I only get about 1/5 packages actually getting checked by Customs, most come straight through in just a few days.

The ones that use standard airmail (parcel post or lettermail) always seem to get checked and processed.

So it boils down to either low shipping cost, and PST/GST/$5 and a couple or more weeks waiting OR slightly higher shipping, usually slips through, and only takes 4 or 5 days.

I am new to collecting handcuffs and have been snapping up cuffs left and right off eBay if the price is right. I think I've outbid you a few times as well if you are 'housecoatman'. I'm 'badge9c1'.

I look at it this way. Even if Customs gets me for taxes + $5, it is still a heck of lot cheaper than buying here.

Cheers!
Graham

I live in Toronto and use Ebay.
I learned that Items under $20.00 Canadian are both duty and tax exempt. This is great except that anything over $20.00 is flagged and I must pay GST + PST + $5.00 additional postage. Duty too if it applies.

I find that this limits my bidding to about $17.00 US. to keep safely under the $20.00 CND

A lot of Handcuffs sell right around this amount and I have to pass on bidding because I don't want to get caught up in the tax and duty mess.

If the seller would mark the order as a "GIFT" it brings the exempt amount up to $60.00 CND. I usually ask for this but most sellers are reluctant to do so.

I guess what I'm asking is: anyway around this ???
Has anybody found a legal loophole to avoid paying more than they have to.

Thanks Guys !

Ron (Toronto)

Click to expand...

Thank you Grahm for your responce. Yes, I agree, it's better than paying the Canadian prices for handcuffs.

Thanks for the shipping tip !!! and yes, I am "Housecaotman"

Cheers

Ron Thorpe

Toronto.

I live in Toronto and use Ebay.
I learned that Items under $20.00 Canadian are both duty and tax exempt. This is great except that anything over $20.00 is flagged and I must pay GST + PST + $5.00 additional postage. Duty too if it applies.

I find that this limits my bidding to about $17.00 US. to keep safely under the $20.00 CND

A lot of Handcuffs sell right around this amount and I have to pass on bidding because I don't want to get caught up in the tax and duty mess.

If the seller would mark the order as a "GIFT" it brings the exempt amount up to $60.00 CND. I usually ask for this but most sellers are reluctant to do so.

I guess what I'm asking is: anyway around this ???
Has anybody found a legal loophole to avoid paying more than they have to.

Thanks Guys !

Ron (Toronto)

Click to expand...

Well, fit this into the equation. I've been using GPM for cross border for as long as I can remember. Never had a problem. Recently purchased Peerless 801 hinged cuffs on eBay.

Was standing at the little post boxes on my street today when the postie shows up with 2 GPM small flat rate envelopes. One was full, the other had a slit down 1 end and only an empty Peerless box and manual inside. No cuffs. Somewhere between Idaho and me, someone gained a pair of cuffs and keys.

The postie took the remains and contents for his supervisor to see, and CP corp security was notified. Not much they can really do. GPM of course cannot be insured. I get the box and manual back tomorrow, and will have the serial added to CPIC/NCIC for whatever good it will do.

So there ya go, after swearing by GPM, it finally bit me. Thank God it was only a $30 package and not something really important.

Graham

I live in Toronto and use Ebay.
I learned that Items under $20.00 Canadian are both duty and tax exempt. This is great except that anything over $20.00 is flagged and I must pay GST + PST + $5.00 additional postage. Duty too if it applies.

I find that this limits my bidding to about $17.00 US. to keep safely under the $20.00 CND

A lot of Handcuffs sell right around this amount and I have to pass on bidding because I don't want to get caught up in the tax and duty mess.

If the seller would mark the order as a "GIFT" it brings the exempt amount up to $60.00 CND. I usually ask for this but most sellers are reluctant to do so.

I guess what I'm asking is: anyway around this ???
Has anybody found a legal loophole to avoid paying more than they have to.

Thanks Guys !

Ron (Toronto)

Click to expand...

This happens with packages to the US also. I have a bubble envelope from Australia that had a Reuteler cuff in it when it left Australia and was empty when it got to me. The post office here couldn't decide where to look for it, so I will never see it.
Stan