Hit by Canada Customs on shipment via USPS

[jlo mein]

Just some notes about what Canada Customs charges, and about NAFTA:

The $5 charge from CC is a handling fee, which they charge to inspect the package and determine if it needs to be charged duty. Second, they have every right to charge items imported from the US sales taxes like PST and GST, that is not omitted from NAFTA.

NAFTA basically states that items that are manufactured and produced in the US can be imported into Canada duty free without tariffs. However, if the item includes parts manufactured abroad, or materials produced abroad (like say fabric materials or something), they can add duty.

So basically CC has every right to charge a handling fee for inspection, and sales taxes like GST and PST.
I'm glad I learned something from that Canadian Macroeconomics course I took...

[stealth]

I agree, USPS is the best (lowest for additional charges from customs), and UPS is the worst.
But has anyone had any expereince with things shipped by DHL?
I find that some US sellers prefer UPS or occasionally DHL, Fedex etc., because they will do pick up at residences whereas USPS does not.
So what about DHL, do they shaft us too?

[RFD_forever]

yup, iwas just hit $14 customs fees for USPS from the US. I always avaiod UPS and fedex for that reason.....those bastards are catching on!

Bought something from the US and had it shipped via USPS.
Got a knock on the door from the mailman, asked me for $$$ I was like what the heck!! She showed me a bill from Canada customs and I had to pay $5 handling fee, and GST PST!!!!!! Anyone else get hit by this before? I'm not sure if it's the same as the UPS brokerage fee that we are well aware of.