Jerseygirl

Careful...I sent my used laptop to my daughter in Toronto by UPS. She was hit with over $100 in duty. I assume it was because of the value stated for insurance.

luckyirish91

Thanks for the advice I didn't consider this..Stupid question why would you have to pay duty on an item you already own for the past 2 years?

Jerseygirl

I presumed it was import duty on the value.

Former Lancastrian

Well depending how it was declared and the value for duty of the item as opposed to insured value and having it done with UPS then chances are

UPS Brokerage Fee minimum $25
There shouldn't have been any duty
PST and GST or HST 15% ash on the Canadian value it was declared at and if declared as a gift they would have knocked $60 off the value.

fg123

unfortunately not very low value - personal effects - records (yes, records!) cds, + clothes, books etc... customs-wise - of course put low value, however insurance-wise would need to be right (>$60).
seems harsh to be at the discretion of customs as to whether have to pay duty or not - on my own items.
basically looks like i have missed the boat (!), and should have organised this a while ago while the 'goods to follow' option was still applicable.
looks like i shall remain obliged to pay duty on sentimental stuff that has been gathering dust /mould in uk! arguably cheaper to buy new replacement items here...

thanks for the input!

Former Lancastrian

And there is your dilemma you had a chance to declare the goods as goods to follow even if you were not sure you would bring them. Why is it harsh to be at the discretion of the CBSA officer who will make a decision to charge or not. We have a job to do. I can guarantee if they didn't charge you wouldn't be calling the decision harsh

fg123

absolutely! i just meant that i thought the amount charged would be discretionary, in spite of steadfast rules being in place.
Of course, not harsh if items squeeze through!

further, what would be the maximum duty to be paid? gst/pst or hst of the delcared value?

thanks again!

Former Lancastrian

The way its supposed to work is this

1. A Canadian dollar value is assigned to a particular item or group of goods. Now this value could be problematic if both sides can't agree. Fair Market value is normally used for used goods.

2. If applicable the duty rate if any is applied e.g. 3%.

3. This then gives a total for GST and PST/HST where applicable.

4. Now dependent on the items there could be additional taxes like excise tax however most goods don't attract this.

So here is an example

Group of goods is worth $3000 Canadian.

Say the duty rate is 2% that would be $60 in duty. $3000 x 2% = $60
Add that to the $3000 you now have a total of $3060 for tax

GST is 5% so 3060 x 5% = $153
PST is say 7% so 3060 x 7% = $214.20

So Total payable is $60 + $153 + $214.20 = $427.20 payable to CBSA.

Duty is determined on the country the goods were manufactured in and if there is a trade deal like NAFTA or CETA in effect to determine if any rate of duty.