Projek01
10-07-2014, 03:42 PM
Sharing my past experiences of buying things from the states:
Of course avoiding UPS /Fedex ground is one way of avoiding crazy brokerage fees. However, sometimes the upgrade to USPS, Express etc. is too expensive. Here are some of the things I have learnt over the years.
a. Shipping to Montana and picking it up yourself:
This method is well known in the Beyond community. The place that I usually use has now shut down but Montana Shipping Outlet has served me well so far.
Pros: Costs nothing if you have the time
You can buy items that do not usually ship to Canada
Cons: Very time consuming
Gas money
Boring drive
Need an up to date Passport
Steps:
1. Open an account with Montana Shipping outlet
2. Order your items using either UPS or Fedex Ground
3. Ship your items following the address and format shown on MSO’s website
4. Drive down and clear your taxes yourself at the border
5. Make sure you bring your passport and all invoices. They tend to doubt the legitimacy of your purchases sometimes.
b. Self-clearing using the LVS program (only applies for shipments under $1600)
Pros: Costs the least
You don’t spend too much time
Cons: Slightly time consuming
CBSA has government business hours
Steps:
1. Order your items using either UPS or Fedex Ground
2. Wait for the item to reach Calgary and refuse the package when they try the first delivery attempt
3. Call UPS/Fedex and ask for the documents to self-clear (mainly the commercial
invoice). They will email this to you after some delay.
4. Do not take BS that you have to be at the border with the package to clear it yourself.
5. Take the documents to
CBSA
Unit 162, 175 Aero Way NE
Calgary, Alberta T2E 6K2
They will look at your invoices and let you pay the taxes you owe. They will then stamp some documents and a B15 for UPS/Fedex to see. Usually, you have to fax the stamped documents back to the UPS/Fedex before they release the package. I have gotten away by going directly to UPS/Fedex down the street and picking my packages up directly.
6. Enjoy your purchase
c. Hiring a customs broker
Pros: Requires the least amount of time compared to the others
Cons: Either $34.95 or $49.95 to do your paper work
Steps:
1. Order your items using either UPS or Fedex Ground
2. Before the package hits the border, you can open an account with www.clearit.ca
3. Fill out their documents and start your order by entering your tracking number
4. UPS will call you and ask for permission to clear your packages. That’s when you tell them to pound sand and fax your commercial invoice to clearit (1.888.794.2775)
5. I called UPS for a copy of the documents just in case since their call centre doesn’t speak English as their first language.
6. Either have your credit card on file with clearit or pay when you see that your package has cleared.
7. Wait for package to arrive at your front door.
Of course avoiding UPS /Fedex ground is one way of avoiding crazy brokerage fees. However, sometimes the upgrade to USPS, Express etc. is too expensive. Here are some of the things I have learnt over the years.
a. Shipping to Montana and picking it up yourself:
This method is well known in the Beyond community. The place that I usually use has now shut down but Montana Shipping Outlet has served me well so far.
Pros: Costs nothing if you have the time
You can buy items that do not usually ship to Canada
Cons: Very time consuming
Gas money
Boring drive
Need an up to date Passport
Steps:
1. Open an account with Montana Shipping outlet
2. Order your items using either UPS or Fedex Ground
3. Ship your items following the address and format shown on MSO’s website
4. Drive down and clear your taxes yourself at the border
5. Make sure you bring your passport and all invoices. They tend to doubt the legitimacy of your purchases sometimes.
b. Self-clearing using the LVS program (only applies for shipments under $1600)
Pros: Costs the least
You don’t spend too much time
Cons: Slightly time consuming
CBSA has government business hours
Steps:
1. Order your items using either UPS or Fedex Ground
2. Wait for the item to reach Calgary and refuse the package when they try the first delivery attempt
3. Call UPS/Fedex and ask for the documents to self-clear (mainly the commercial
invoice). They will email this to you after some delay.
4. Do not take BS that you have to be at the border with the package to clear it yourself.
5. Take the documents to
CBSA
Unit 162, 175 Aero Way NE
Calgary, Alberta T2E 6K2
They will look at your invoices and let you pay the taxes you owe. They will then stamp some documents and a B15 for UPS/Fedex to see. Usually, you have to fax the stamped documents back to the UPS/Fedex before they release the package. I have gotten away by going directly to UPS/Fedex down the street and picking my packages up directly.
6. Enjoy your purchase
c. Hiring a customs broker
Pros: Requires the least amount of time compared to the others
Cons: Either $34.95 or $49.95 to do your paper work
Steps:
1. Order your items using either UPS or Fedex Ground
2. Before the package hits the border, you can open an account with www.clearit.ca
3. Fill out their documents and start your order by entering your tracking number
4. UPS will call you and ask for permission to clear your packages. That’s when you tell them to pound sand and fax your commercial invoice to clearit (1.888.794.2775)
5. I called UPS for a copy of the documents just in case since their call centre doesn’t speak English as their first language.
6. Either have your credit card on file with clearit or pay when you see that your package has cleared.
7. Wait for package to arrive at your front door.