Easier said then done, something is either not available in Canada, or its a good chunk more money in Canada and its silly to spend more if you don't have to.

From what I read, yes.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/po...roits-eng.html

Have you tried looking for the book either in the US or Canada?

I've never paid more than the total cost shown by Amazon, whether it be new or used.

That's true from amazon.com and amazon.ca, because amazon.com prepay taxes for you. Amazon.co.uk doesn't prepay taxes, nor would a third-party seller selling a used book through them.

That said, Canada Post don't seem to bother collecting tax on low-value items.

Yes - not much chance. British books from the 1940s and 1950s.

Is there no duty on books imported from the US, then?

All the used books I buy via Amazon are through third party sellers. Interesting that Canada Post doesn't seem to bother - I might give it a try!

More bothered that I'll have to keep chasing Canada Post around if they won't deliver items when I'm out, if there's duty/charges to pay.

On the occasions when that has happened, they've just left a card telling us to pick it up at the Co-op post office near here. They're open seven days a week until late, so it's not a big deal to drop by and collect it.

Ah yes, the PO here is in the Shoppers Drug Mart.

I'm still in rural living mode from Scotland where the local PO was a mile away, but they took signed for mail back to the sorting office, which was a 15 mile round trip.

Amazon UK charged & pre paid taxes and duty on the last 3 shipments I received, the most recent being last week. They ship with UPS, it took 3 days from ordering to getting the goods and nothing more to pay.

Maybe that's changed, then. I don't think I've bought anything from them this year.

Just found this - although it isn't clear to me if that applies to Marketplace sellers - but does seem clear that direct Amazon.co.uk orders will be charged the duty up front.

(Which is great from my point of view as I just want to pay the duty as easily as possible.)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/cust...?nodeId=502492

So with the conclusion of online shopping being expensive what are the names of some electronic shops in Calgary? I'm looking to buy a TV and speakers.

It is only an estimate, if it is more they bill you more and less they refund the difference.

How? If you try to order from a Canadian address it redirects to the Canadian site.

That being said, I have never had any problems with them.

Walmart, Future Shop, Best Buy, the Brick, Costco should have what you are after, unless you are after high end equipment.

Never happened to me. Last order was 2 or3 weeks ago.

There's an option for the Canadian site and there are some things that they won't deliver but I've never been sent to the Canadian site.

The US delivery rates to Canada have rocketed so it can be cheaper to order via the Canada site - even if the item is coming from the same seller in the US.