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10/31/2007 06:58:51 AM · #1 |
I'm thinking of buying some stuff from B&H but was wondering if anyone in Canada could give me some insight on what the duty fees are like for photo equipment? Or a site to show what I could be paying... Im looking at a 70-200 2.8 IS and if its going to be about the same amount landed here then Ill prob buy locally...
-dave |
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10/31/2007 07:06:40 AM · #2 |
I don't know too much about duties, but..
I bought the 70-200 4.0 IS from the camera store because I didn't have to pay the PST since I am out of province. I also recommend Simons Camera They are in Montreal. Have a quick look to compare prices to B&H. |
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10/31/2007 07:17:52 AM · #3 |
You will not be paying duty fees. There are no duty fees on camera equipment purchased abroad that enters Canada.
You will however have to pay tax on your purchase. This is calculated by the Canada Border Services Agency when your parcel hits the border. They also charge a $5 dollar handling fee as well.
You have to pay the tax and fee when the package is delivered or when you go pick it up.
Hope this helps |
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10/31/2007 07:28:51 AM · #4 |
What  Beagleboy said is right on the money. You might also want to check on how they will be delivering the items, as you might encounter "Brokerage" fees, which can be quite expensive.
Ray |
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10/31/2007 07:33:53 AM · #5 |
| You just need to pay GST. You'll pay expensive brokerage fees if UPS, for example, handles the GST payment for you. |
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10/31/2007 07:43:49 AM · #6 |
yea I figured that there would be GST on it which isn't so bad and will prob try to get it sent express post or the like as I hate UPS and Fedex...
And I also do shop quite a bit at "The Camera Store" here as I get great service from one particular person there which keeps me going back there but if she left I would prob not go back thanks to a previous problem I had there...
-dave |
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10/31/2007 07:52:03 AM · #7 |
I've been thinking about this often, since our dollar is now worth ~$1.05 US.
I'm right across a river from places like Ritz. Can anyone provide me with a reason NOT to go get my gear from a US dealer? For example, the Canon 40D 28-135 IS kit at Future Shop is $1649 CDN, where it's $1499 USD($1430 CDN)in Buffalo, NY. Not only is it significantly cheaper, I'm paying 8% NY State Sales tax instead of 14% (GST + PST) in Ontario.
I might just have to drop it in my Slingpack and go.
Message edited by author 2007-10-31 11:56:07.
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10/31/2007 09:06:39 AM · #8 |
B&H will ship via the post office so you won't have to pay those outrageous "brokerage" fees (how those shipping companies get away with charging those I'll never know). I bought a lens from B&H in February (well, my partner bought it for me for my birthday). Just had to pay the tax I believe, at the post office.
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10/31/2007 09:21:29 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by KarenNfld:
B&H will ship via the post office so you won't have to pay those outrageous "brokerage" fees (how those shipping companies get away with charging those I'll never know). I bought a lens from B&H in February (well, my partner bought it for me for my birthday). Just had to pay the tax I believe, at the post office. |
i think it was a NAFTA agreement that the couriers would still get their brokerage charges ..
the last two times i shipped from B&H through USPS i paid no tax / no customs (Dec06 & Jun 07) might have been lucky ..
i see that Alien Bees have a new overnight UPS service with noextra charges at this end (BUT you have to call to find out what extra UPS is going to charge you .. for brokerage)
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10/31/2007 09:33:02 AM · #10 |
Just choose the regular B&H shipping (not courier) and the brokerage is very little -- my father just bought about $4000 worth of stuff from B&H, paid $34 shipping and paid $3.50 brokerage, I think.
He lives in a small town in Ontario and got the stuff in two days. It's a good deal.
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10/31/2007 09:44:18 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by david_c:
I've been thinking about this often, since our dollar is now worth ~$1.05 US.
I'm right across a river from places like Ritz. Can anyone provide me with a reason NOT to go get my gear from a US dealer? For example, the Canon 40D 28-135 IS kit at Future Shop is $1649 CDN, where it's $1499 USD($1430 CDN)in Buffalo, NY. Not only is it significantly cheaper, I'm paying 8% NY State Sales tax instead of 14% (GST + PST) in Ontario.
I might just have to drop it in my Slingpack and go. |
You will not get warranty coverage for many brands, so check this important point.
Paying the NY State tax is extra to the Canadian taxes (GST/PST). If you think that you can smuggle the lens into Canada, then you need to understand the significant risk that you are taking. It is a federal offence that can result in serious jail time as well as the loss of the lens. So, it is definitely not an advisable action when you consider the amount that you are avoiding (~$200.00 CDN).
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10/31/2007 09:52:54 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by david_c:
Can anyone provide me with a reason NOT to go get my gear from a US dealer? |
I don't know about Canon, but Pentax Canada (and Nikon, I think) offer longer warranties on their products than our southern counterparts... Certainly something to consider if the price is within 10%, I would think. |
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10/31/2007 12:06:33 PM · #13 |
While this does NOT apply to Canon products, I have heard that the warranty for some camera makers becomes NUL and VOID in Canada and you can only get the item serviced in the USA.
You might want to check into that prior to purchase.
Ray |
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10/31/2007 12:54:27 PM · #14 |
have stuff sent airmail, so you can avoid the broker fees and yes, you just pay taxes...I ordered the 500mmL from B&H and that was all I paid.
Warantees for lens are good anywhere....camera bodies have to go back to where they came from....
I am very happy with the 2000.00 plus I saved from going with B&H vs. somewhere local |
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10/31/2007 03:16:50 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by ellamay:
Warantees for lens are good anywhere....camera bodies have to go back to where they came from... |
That may be true for Canon, but Nikon is quite strict on where a lens or camera body is purchased.
//www.photoprice.ca/article/warranty-us-canada-grey-market |
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