Hello All

I ordered something from the US and had to pay $37 duty before I could collect it from the nice people at the post office. I want to return it for alterations but don't want to pay another $37 when it gets sent back. The company says they will include a letter to say I have already paid duty so I don't have to pay twice - would this really work?

That sucks. Have no idea, I know UPS always stiff you with brokerage and duty USPS not always so, would help if the company used borderfree. As there wouldn't be an invoice with the return (I presume) then surly you wouldn't be charged duty? Would it not be easier to get the alterations done locally?

Hope someone can help.

No. Presumably the goods are of non-NAFTA origin. Therefore unless the alterations the supplier will carry out results in a tariff shift or change in regional value content then the goods will be subject to duty again when they cross the border.

However, customs officers do have some power of discretion so you may be lucky - but don't rely on it.

And in memoriam for Leslie, "Don't call me surly".

I thought it looked odd when I typed it - sorry.

Well I presume it is of NAFTA origin as it is handmade in Seattle. They will make an alteration and return the product to me.

If it is made in Seattle there is no duty - that is the whole point of NAFTA. Canada Post charge $5.00 for customs clearance. The rest must be HST. You shouldn't have to pay the HST twice.

That said, proving that you shouldn't pay HST twice might be more bother than it is worth. Proof positive is the US customs entry when you send the goods back to Seattle for repair but you have no chance getting this as it will be consolidated with all the other shipments Canada Post (or the courier) sent over the border with that shipment. If the US people include proof of export from Canada with the paperwork when they send the altered goods back to you then you might be OK. No promises though.

If the company sends it with the value space on the customs declaration left blank it should just sail through. When I get fishing tackle sent up if it's marked used or has a declared value of less than about $25 they don't bother with it. Otherwise the value space has to be left blank or they'll do it again even if it's marked gift. If they don't have a number to do fractions with they just can't do them.