Advice on getting refund for customs charge...

[mallik]

I just received a package today, and I got charged brokerage and taxes. It was sent USPS and valued at $25 US. I'm pretty sure it was marked as a gift, but I can't find anything on the form. On the Canada Customs form they listed the value as $30.75 CAD (which is right I think according to the exchange rate), and I got charged $12.81. They opened the package at customs, so I'm thinking that might have something to do with it. Is it because they didn't find a birthday card or anything?

What should I do to make sure I get it refunded? It says to fill out the form on the back, but is there anything else I should do?

[bobaroo]

From http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/d5-1-1/d5-1-1-e.html#P131_14844
GIFT EXEMPTIONS - TARIFF ITEM NO. 9816.00.00 (CAN$60)
12. Individuals may receive casual donations, commonly referred to as "gift items" from abroad when the value does not exceed CAN$60 as duty- and tax-free importations under the provisions of the casual donations tariff item No. 9816.00.00. For gifts valued at more than CAN$60, that portion of a gift's value exceeding CAN$60 is subject to duty and taxes at the appropriate rate.

13. The benefits of PIRO for CAN$20 cannot be combined with the gift exemption of CAN$60.

14. To qualify as a gift, a mail item must be wrapped and/or be accompanied by a gift card stating, "to addressee from sender."

15. No single gift may exceed CAN$60 regardless of the number of joint recipients. When more than one gift is shipped in a single container, the customs inspector must be satisfied that each gift does not exceed CAN$60. This applies regardless of the number of recipients.

16. Companies, business concerns and associations of any sort do not qualify as donors or recipients for the purposes of tariff item No. 9816.00.00.

17. The benefits of the gift exemption do not apply to importations of advertising matter, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages.

If you can't find that it was labelled as a gift, neither can Customs. ;)

[mallik]

hehe, yeah I guess that's true. So what should I do to get the charge refunded? Should I just make a card and send it with the refund form?

[simms]

I got a refund on an mp3 player I bought. Fill out the form on the back and attach a receipt (or printout) or how much you paid. I got my cheque 3 months later, it was a nice surprise. :)

[blackhawk]

whats the breakdown of the charges?

canada post used to charge the 15% and a 5.00 service charge through an outside agency who sends you the bill after the package arrives

you're going to dispute it on what grounds?

[illusion81]

Call USPS and tell them that it was marked as a gift yet you still got charged. When I did that the lady said sorry sir and I got a cheque in the mail a few days later. Might work for you. If they say no just fill out the form and hope for the best :)

[bobaroo]

Call USPS and tell them that it was marked as a gift yet you still got charged. When I did that the lady said sorry sir and I got a cheque in the mail a few days later. Might work for you. If they say no just fill out the form and hope for the best :)

The problem with what you're suggesting is that it wasn't marked as a gift. The sender either didn't affix the customs label or filled it out incorrectly.
BTW, why would the USPS refund you? you didn't pay them anything.

To mallik,
So you're planning to try to trick Canada Customs into thinking they missed the birthday card, even though they opened and inspected the package? Good luck with that.... hopefully you dont' get charged with fraud.

[mallik]

illusion81, did you mean you called Customs, or you called USPS? If it was USPS, how did you get them to do anything because I would figure they would say to deal with Customs.

I'm not saying I would try and trick customs by saying there was a card in the package. It's just that it says that if you want to appeal the customs charge, to include some kind of proof with the form. That's why I was wondering, should I include a card or maybe a note from the sender or something?

Oh, and I found the part where it was supposed to be marked gift, but none of the boxes was marked. The form says that you have to choose one (gift, merchandise, etc.) though, and USPS still sent it out without any of the boxes marked, so I don't know if I have a leg to stand on.

[illusion81]

illusion81, did you mean you called Customs, or you called USPS? If it was USPS, how did you get them to do anything because I would figure they would say to deal with Customs.

I'm not saying I would try and trick customs by saying there was a card in the package. It's just that it says that if you want to appeal the customs charge, to include some kind of proof with the form. That's why I was wondering, should I include a card or maybe a note from the sender or something?

Oh, and I found the part where it was supposed to be marked gift, but none of the boxes was marked. The form says that you have to choose one (gift, merchandise, etc.) though, and USPS still sent it out without any of the boxes marked, so I don't know if I have a leg to stand on.

For me the box was checked....when the delivery dude asked me for like $20 I got pieved off and called the 1800 number on the label as soon as I got back in the house. The lady checked something on her PC and apologized and told me to expect a cheque in the mail a few days later. I have no idea how that works? USPS claims for the money back? No clue. In your case if the box was not checked how would they even think of it as a gift? Anyways good luck with your claim maybe you will get something back.