Hello All,

I really need advice regarding shipping to Vancouver. I know there are a number of threads regarding shipping but please I need real answer on the estimated cost to clear my goods.

I have gotten some few quotes for shipping 4 boxes (at about 40kg each) to Vancouver in the next coming week. The cheapest I got is £157.25 for shipping the four boxes but this does not include custom fee and taxes in Vancouver. Pls, can someone advice on this, so that I can include the amount in the overall budget. Money is very tight now and I am just looking for the most affordable shipping that I can get.

Many thanks for your reply.

Regards
Joyce

The size and weight of the boxes has nothing to do with customs or taxes, only the cubed rate for the shipper. If you are bringing belongings as part of an immigration move, should be no duty or taxes. If not, there could be GST and PST or HST (depends which province you live in) as well as duty, how much depends on commodity code and country of manufacture and declared value.

Clearances are not a lot of you do your own, otherwise a broker charges based on value of shipment. I would budget for $100-$200 may be more, maybe less. Get an estimate from a broker, such as Pacific Customs Brokers in Vancouver.

Hi Aviator,

Thanks for your reply. Everything I am shipping are part of the immigration process and they are personal effects---clothes, toys, kitchen items etc. I will be landing in BC as a PR and I hope to make a list of the goods (in accompany and goods to follow). Does it then mean that since all goods are part of immigration process, I wont have to pay anything when I get there? Please your view is much appreciated.
Regards
Joyce

Cannot say for sure, but it is unlikely you will be charged taxes or duty. If you use one, the customs broker needs to know your import is personal effects. If you do your own clearance at customs then no brokerage fees either. Personal clearance is not hard to do, just turn up at the customs office (some require an appointment) with your paperwork, get a clearance release and then pick up your belongings or get them delivered.

Thanks alot for this.
Regards
Joyce

Goods arriving in Canada (British Columbia) from non Canadian origins are subject to brokerage fees (if you use a broker like say Pacific customs brokers) duty is payable on goods if the category dictates it is payable. Also there is a $10.00 CBSA (Canada Border Service Agency) fee that also has gst added to it.

If you can ship the goods "in bond" then you can clear the goods yourself (eliminating brokerage fees) using a B3 form from Canada Customs, if your goods are classed as personal household items then there should be no duty and I believe no GST Canada customs does have information on their website where you can research more.

Thanks. All the goods are personal effects as I am moving permanently to Canada as a PR.

All goods in transit are in bond between international boundaries, its not optional. They cannot come out of bond until cleared by customs. Goods can be cleared by a broker or individual doing the shipping. There are no CBSA fees, although the broker often charges a handling fee of $10 to pay any taxes duty etc. if the shipper does not have an account. Personal goods that are coming in as part of personal belongings of an immigrant or returning resident are not taxable (some limitations apply), for air shipments there are airport and nav Canada fees and some sea ports have entry fees, often included by the shipping company.

I will clarify:
I don't have any shipments arrive in bond since the cost goes up for in bond shipments. Yes the carrier transports them in a bonded vehicle/ vessel etc.

My shipments are pre-cleared before hitting the Canadian border under what is known as the PARs "Pre Arrival Review system" Whereas in bond shipments are not cleared they are kept in the carriers facility in a bonded area, (on that you do have a choice) until cleared by the consignee whom must fill out a B3 form, get customs clearance and pay any associated cost, duty GST etc. (if applicable) once done a release form is issued by Canada Customs which is taken to the carrier for release of shipment.

If you don't wish to go to the trouble of clearing the shipment yourself then a broker is well worth the money they have their agents or associated agents at all ports of entry and can save a lot of work not to mention time.

If you use a broker to clear use one with an office close to the point of entry of your shipment you will easily Google them. If they don't have an office or agent there they will use an associate company to do the clearing and you will be charged what they call an "outport" fee which isn't much about $7.50 may be more if you don't have an account with them but I doubt it would be a big difference.

If your shipment is coming in a "consolidated" shipment for example via container (along with other peoples shipments) you may be required to have a broker clear the goods once the container is destuffed.

A tip: no matter how or where the shipment comes in once you are notified it is cleared make sure you pick it up as soon as possible as a general rule carriers will bill you for storage in their warehouse after a certain period of time if the goods are left.

I should have added that to eliminate any stress you may want to get a guaranteed quote from a couple of reputable carriers who can handle the whole thing for you, that way you have full prior knowledge of costs.