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Just ordered Textbook from seller in Europe...shipping by UPS...Am I screwed?

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  • Sep 13th, 2012 10:54 pm
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Deal Expert
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Feb 11, 2009
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Just ordered Textbook from seller in Europe...shipping by UPS...Am I screwed?

So I just ordered a textbook from a seller from Malaysia with 15101 positive rating.

Seller was selling a textbook that I use at my uni for about 1/4th the price of the book store here, so I decided to buy it (an hour ago)...just realizing now that I forgot all about the potential of customs etc.

Am I screwed?

The listing on eBay (it's a BIN with over 60 sold) shows that shipping is $4.00, but I just realized that the carrier is UPS....how screwed am I?
Realtor (Investment Properties) - CPA, CA
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Aug 18, 2008
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Anecdotal story: I ordered from a seller that said the textbook was being sent from Montreal, but turns out it was shipped from India, airmail via DHL.


When I received it, I could see that DHL opened the package (there was their "DHL Customs Inspection tape" along with their own receipt.)

No taxes or anything that I had to pay :) It was declared as "loose papers" which is 0 tax & duty

Just be aware that technically books are taxed starting at the first penny (it doesn't qualify for the $20 waiver amount)


Have fun in your classes DWS :)
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Feb 11, 2009
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Just heard back from the buyer, he said he will send it through DHL Express and claim it as a Gift but will put it as a book with name on it...said he won't put false information like "Loose paper". Also said he wouldn't put a value on it.

Fingers crossed!

PS: Classes are never fun! Especially those that relate to Calc :(
Realtor (Investment Properties) - CPA, CA
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Nov 11, 2004
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From my Experiences you are SCREWED.... Ups will make up a bunch of fee's and the book will end up costing you way more then you ever imagined..

Avoid UPS/FEDEX when Buying from outside of Canada.
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Apr 10, 2010
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Only if the book gets charged customs, then UPS will add a fee to it, outside of the customs. If it doesn't get charged customs, then no fee from UPS as well.
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Feb 11, 2009
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Jimboski wrote: If the customs/duties fees are to high then reject the package!
That's what I'll likely end up doing.
Realtor (Investment Properties) - CPA, CA
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Jun 5, 2007
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York
deal_with_singh wrote: That's what I'll likely end up doing.
Malaysia, contrary to popular opinion is actually in Asia

I just ordered a few last week for a sibling and certainly have done it in the past shipped with dhl, ups and fedex. They ship extremely fast (received in Toronto in 3-4 business days) I have never been charged duties on these and even had a textbook opened by customs but no duties charged.
the package will also probably ship UPS Worldwide Saver so no brokerage fees worst comes to worse.
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Dec 12, 2010
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ordered multiple "international edition" books from malaysia on ebay before for school. i wasnt charged anything at customs.

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