another ripoff from canadian customs

[charles_316]

I recently bought an ipod touch on ebay for a total of $312 CDN after shipping... when i received the package, taxes amounted to $70 which actually made this purchase more expensive than buying it right from the store ($376 after taxes at apple store)....

I guess there is nothing i can do right since the vendor declared the full value

[Shar]

On the back of the bill/customs form that came with your package is a dispute form. Print out your eBay and PayPal receipts and mail them and that form to whatever address is specified, and you should be reimbursed for the difference.

[Ebola]

How is this a ripoff again?

If you were taxed on the $312 duty and taxes.. then it seems totally legit to me.

Never knew so many people had a hate on for the CBSA. Oh well.

[Kasakato]

Details? Tax is only $46.68, duties are not likely. Provide shipping company, shipping service, and declared value. Something dosent add up.

[3weddings]

How is this a ripoff again?

If you were taxed on the $312 duty and taxes.. then it seems totally legit to me.

Never knew so many people had a hate on for the CBSA. Oh well.

Really!!!! I can't believe so many people actually think not paying pst/gst and brokerage is a part of the deal.

It's been discussed here more than a newborn baby's diapers get changed in a 24 hour period, why are people still surprised!!

If the item was incorrectly classified, I could see validity in your complaint, but being charged appropriately is no reason to cry ripoff!

[Ebola]

My intial response, I just quickly guessed a 20% tax rate GST/PST and Duty included, plus a $5 brokerage fee, and I came up with around $68 in taxes.

So I just don't see where this huge ripoff is coming from... except for maybe you thinking you would somehow not get charged taxes on your import.. and are now bitter?

[Kasakato]

My intial response, I just quickly guessed a 20% tax rate GST/PST and Duty included, plus a $5 brokerage fee, and I came up with around $68 in taxes.

So I just don't see where this huge ripoff is coming from... except for maybe you thinking you would somehow not get charged taxes on your import.. and are now bitter?

There shouldn't be duties on an iPod, but its the government- who knows.

[Ebola]

There shouldn't be duties on an iPod, but its the government- who knows.

Why not? They are made in China, that's subject to duty.

China falls under the General Preferential Tariff treatment.. which means there is definetly duty on most goods from China. Technically speaking of course.

The reason I say this, is that he has not specified from where the Ipod is being shipped to him.

If it is being routed from the US there should be no duty, you're right.

[charles_316]

i'm not saying they ACTUALLY ripped me off... just figuratively speaking....

really it sucks is all im complaining about


the vendor actually declared the value of the item plus shipping fees... is he only supposed to declare the value of the item? cuz i got taxed for both of them together

[Ebola]

i'm not saying they ACTUALLY ripped me off... just figuratively speaking....

really it sucks is all im complaining about


the vendor actually declared the value of the item plus shipping fees... is he only supposed to declare the value of the item? cuz i got taxed for both of them together

He is supposed to declare it with shipping included.

[RLP06]

There shouldn't be duties on an iPod, but its the government- who knows.

Hes talking about DUTY tax, not SALES tax

[Kasakato]

Hes talking about DUTY tax, not SALES tax

Whats the difference between "duties"(per my post) and "DUTY tax"(as above)?

[Kasakato]

Why not? They are made in China, that's subject to duty.

China falls under the General Preferential Tariff treatment.. which means there is definetly duty on most goods from China. Technically speaking of course.

The reason I say this, is that he has not specified from where the Ipod is being shipped to him.

If it is being routed from the US there should be no duty, you're right.

This is likely where the confusion is coming from. OP, enlighten us?

[brunes]

Why not? They are made in China, that's subject to duty.

China falls under the General Preferential Tariff treatment.. which means there is definetly duty on most goods from China. Technically speaking of course.

The reason I say this, is that he has not specified from where the Ipod is being shipped to him.

If it is being routed from the US there should be no duty, you're right.

I think the confusion is people thinking that because the iPHONE has no dut the iPOD TOUCH should also have no dity.

The difference of course is one is aPHONE. Phones have a special tarrif and have no duty. No such agreement for MP3 players.

[d_jedi]

Really!!!! I can't believe so many people actually think not paying pst/gst and brokerage is a part of the deal.

It's been discussed here more than a newborn baby's diapers get changed in a 24 hour period, why are people still surprised!!

If the item was incorrectly classified, I could see validity in your complaint, but being charged appropriately is no reason to cry ripoff!

I would agree with you, except on the part about brokerage. I was charged nearly $30 on $90 worth of books. By a brokerage company that I had never heard of, never dealt with, and never authorized to perform any service on my behalf. I did not recieve this bill until weeks after I recieved the books. The brokerage company threatened to send this bill to a collection agency (harming my credit rating - this is tantamount to extortion, IMO) if I didn't pay up.

Fcuk PBB Global Logistics. May they burn in hell.

[Red_Army]

this is why people should inquire about such fees BEFORE they buy something and have it shipped to canada

it will save all the bitching and complaining

[Larocca]

Has anyone here actually purchased a Iphone in the US and claimed it at customs, what did you have to pay, only GST? or Duty also?

[Ebola]

Has anyone here actually purchased a Iphone in the US and claimed it at customs, what did you have to pay, only GST? or Duty also?

I've had people come through with 3+ IPhones. GST and PST in Ontario anyway I believe.

I've also had people try to hide 3+ IPhones. We found them. And you better believe thats a seizure.

[iamnotamerican.com]

i'm not saying they ACTUALLY ripped me off... just figuratively speaking....

really it sucks is all im complaining about

So then, change the subject line, since even you say CBSA didn't rip you off. Based on the information you provided, you paid nothing more than an appropriate amount based on a foreign import. If you don't like paying those fees, then don't import from abroad.

Sheesh!

[no_bodyknows]

I've had people come through with 3+ IPhones. GST and PST in Ontario anyway I believe.

I've also had people try to hide 3+ IPhones. We found them. And you better believe thats a seizure.

cant you piss off already.
we want to **** on canadian customs and in every thread you're there to say the same sh%t.

[Kasakato]

cant you piss off already.
we want to **** on canadian customs and in every thread you're there to say the same sh%t.

We need to pass a new law, making it illegal to talk about how to avoid tax at the border. Whats your problem?

[brunes]

cant you piss off already.
we want to **** on canadian customs and in every thread you're there to say the same sh%t.

CBSA does not make the rules, your elected government does. And if you don't like paying tax so much then get the hell out and move to Angola. Otherwise stop your moaning, your taxes pay for your lifestyle in this country of ours.

[nogoro]

I've had people come through with 3+ IPhones. GST and PST in Ontario anyway I believe.

I've also had people try to hide 3+ IPhones. We found them. And you better believe thats a seizure.

do seized items get sold on ebay, the same way toronto police and ttc do it? I smell deals :D

[Red_Army]

do seized items get sold on ebay, the same way toronto police and ttc do it? I smell deals :D

lol ya right...they just seize it and sell it or keep it themselves

[Ebola]

do seized items get sold on ebay, the same way toronto police and ttc do it? I smell deals :D

I know cars are put up for auction...

And that booze is all dumped in one big barrel and then destroyed...

Obviously any drugs and weapons (all serious things) are held as evidence.

But other than that.... I don't know! :o I'm embarrassed.

[barqy]

i feel ya OP

my friend and i have a US shipping address (point roberts)

we get things sent them if it's a really great deal but the seller wont ship out of USA.


We always declare full value, but the boarder agents there are always on a power trip.


i guess they're doing their jobs, but they have a real attitude problem.

I guess working at a **** boarder crossing does that to you


i've always wondered what the level of education for being a customs agent is?

[cwb27]

i feel ya OP

my friend and i have a US shipping address (point roberts)

we get things sent them if it's a really great deal but the seller wont ship out of USA.


We always declare full value, but the boarder agents there are always on a power trip.


i guess they're doing their jobs, but they have a real attitude problem.

I guess working at a **** boarder crossing does that to you


i've always wondered what the level of education for being a customs agent is?

What does their level of education have to do with anything?

[brunes]

I know cars are put up for auction...

And that booze is all dumped in one big barrel and then destroyed...

Obviously any drugs and weapons (all serious things) are held as evidence.

But other than that.... I don't know! :o I'm embarrassed.

Well what do you do with it when you seize something - put it up the vaccum chute to nowhere? :)

[Ebola]

i feel ya OP

my friend and i have a US shipping address (point roberts)

we get things sent them if it's a really great deal but the seller wont ship out of USA.


We always declare full value, but the boarder agents there are always on a power trip.


i guess they're doing their jobs, but they have a real attitude problem.

I guess working at a **** boarder crossing does that to you


i've always wondered what the level of education for being a customs agent is?

Post-secondary , even though that doesn't mean **** all.

Border Officer by the way, not customs agent. Whatever that is.

[Ebola]

Well what do you do with it when you seize something - put it up the vaccum chute to nowhere? :)

It goes into a big hold room. That's what I mean.. I don't know where it goes from there. >:(

[canabiz]

i feel ya OP

my friend and i have a US shipping address (point roberts)

we get things sent them if it's a really great deal but the seller wont ship out of USA.


We always declare full value, but the boarder agents there are always on a power trip.


i guess they're doing their jobs, but they have a real attitude problem.

I guess working at a **** boarder crossing does that to you


i've always wondered what the level of education for being a customs agent is?

2 years college diploma minimum.

[Rx-87]

I know cars are put up for auction...

And that booze is all dumped in one big barrel and then destroyed...

Obviously any drugs and weapons (all serious things) are held as evidence.

But other than that.... I don't know! :o I'm embarrassed.


OOOOooo.. all that booze... oh mann what about seized EXPENSIVE alcohol?? LOL.... like... i dunno brandy XO?? etc.. that stuff still goes up in flames?? cuz MAnnn... that would serioulsy be a total waste lOL.. Resell on a website ! ;)

It goes into a big hold room. That's what I mean.. I don't know where it goes from there.

Mmmmm maybe the items goes back to Apple at a "lower cost" ;) and Canada gains the amount lol...

[YnD]

Got my cheap iphone through the border after being in the US for a few months... no problems...

[Ebola]

OOOOooo.. all that booze... oh mann what about seized EXPENSIVE alcohol?? LOL.... like... i dunno brandy XO?? etc.. that stuff still goes up in flames?? cuz MAnnn... that would serioulsy be a total waste lOL.. Resell on a website ! ;)



Mmmmm maybe the items goes back to Apple at a "lower cost" ;) and Canada gains the amount lol...

You'd have to be pretty hardcore to want that alcohol.

It's allll mixed in there together. Wine, beer, spirits , all of it. I don't even want to guess what it would do to you, make you go blind maybe. :|

[cwb27]

You'd have to be pretty hardcore to want that alcohol.

It's allll mixed in there together. Wine, beer, spirits , all of it. I don't even want to guess what it would do to you, make you go blind maybe. :|

LOL, just smelling it almost made me go blind.

It's awful, and a sad sad end to some very good products... And some terrible ones, nothing says quality like $12 for a 40oz of crappy American rum.

[Rx-87]

lol, I had meant the phase "before the beverages got mixed and total abomination became existent"

But yea... that is one heck of a sad way for any item to go... wonder if iphones got annihilated too ;)

[barqy]

What does their level of education have to do with anything?

means a lot

most don't seem to have one.



edit: i meant to say, the guards at the POINT ROBERTS crossing....

the other ones are fine

[Ebola]

means a lot

most don't seem to have one.



edit: i meant to say, the guards at the POINT ROBERTS crossing....

the other ones are fine

Just want to know how you determine someone's education without asking them. Because in my opinion education has no bearing on how people act.

In fact, in my experience the more education someone has( the letters behind their name) they have a tendancy to be a much bigger pain in the ass than someone with "just" high school.

But if you know how to do that, please tell me, that would come in handy for my work.

[barqy]

Just want to know how you determine someone's education without asking them. Because in my opinion education has no bearing on how people act.

In fact, in my experience the more education someone has( the letters behind their name) they have a tendancy to be a much bigger pain in the ass than someone with "just" high school.

But if you know how to do that, please tell me, that would come in handy for my work.


hit a sore spot huh?

:lol:

[Rx-87]

lol this is getting silly, it's becoming a bashfest

CBSA employees vs. general public

Give it a rest.

[Ebola]

hit a sore spot huh?

:lol:

Nah.. I'm one of those with letters behind their name...

So I guess that means we are all jerks, regardless of education.

[brunes]

LOL, just smelling it almost made me go blind.

It's awful, and a sad sad end to some very good products... And some terrible ones, nothing says quality like $12 for a 40oz of crappy American rum.

What is the logic behind dumping the liquor like that? I know you guys don't know but maybe you should ask your supers. It is not like this is strange illegal liquor we're talking about that gets seized most of the time.

I mean, why not auction it off to help fund additional agents, or increased technology, or even just give the money to charity, at least.

Such a waste. Whoever is making those regulations needs some sense talked into them.

[cwb27]

What is the logic behind dumping the liquor like that? I know you guys don't know but maybe you should ask your supers. It is not like this is strange illegal liquor we're talking about that gets seized most of the time.

I mean, why not auction it off to help fund additional agents, or increased technology, or even just give the money to charity, at least.

Such a waste. Whoever is making those regulations needs some sense talked into them.

I don't mean to be rude, but you seem to be the one lacking any sense.

Whose says it's not counterfeit liquor or that it has been tampered with? Just think of the legal ramifications involved if someone buys tainted booze that was seized from some guy 12 months ago.

[mabba18]

He is supposed to declare it with shipping included.

Um, are you sure about that?

I aways under the impression that only the value of the contents need to be declared. Looking through the CBSA site, and Canada Post's site, I see nothing that says otherwise.

[LonesomeDove]

Um, are you sure about that?

I aways under the impression that only the value of the contents need to be declared. Looking through the CBSA site, and Canada Post's site, I see nothing that says otherwise.

I agree with you. I buy a lot of stuff from ebay and the US senders usually put a green USPS Customs Declaration CN22 sticker on the package. The sticker says nothing about including shipping fees. It just asks the value of the contents.
But I think the seller added shipping costs to value of the item in order to get a higher insured value. ie. the item may be valued at $300 but the seller added $20 shipping cost to the value of the item for a total of $320. So the sticker will have a higher value and Canada Customs used that figure for the taxes.