I have been charged duty fees shipping from USA to Canada

[Mr.Ric]

I've just had a package shipped from B&H (USA) into Canada via UPS expedited (brokerage fees included). Along the way it picked up $24.38 duty, $18.90 additional fees and GST charges.

Now I was expecting the GST, the additional charges were apparently because B&H used 9 lines when describing the shipment, you only get the first 5 lines free after that you have to pay, annoying but fair enough I thought.

However I was under the impression that there was no duty to be paid on photographic goods. I've googled and searched on here and all the responses seem to be that I should only have to pay GST. I queried UPS and they say it was because that the goods were not made in the US so duty should be paid on them. Is this true? None of the items brought from B&H were listed as grey market/imported.

Any thoughts appreachiated. I know it's not a lot of money but I don't like the idea of being charged for something that I shouldn't be!

[TheHoff]

I believe the duty exemption is only for camera bodies and lenses; maybe they charged you for the gear? Or did you order a body or lens?

[Mr.Ric]

I brought 2 lenses, a flash and a couple of small accessories like sto-fen and tripod bag.

[TheHoff]

I think everything except the lenses should have been nicked with duty and tax. You're sure you didn't pick up a "UPS brokerage charge" as well?

[Mr.Ric]

According to UPS the brokerage charge was included in the expedited shipping payment made to the retailer.

UPS listed the origins of all the items on the sales order (mostly Japan) and since none of them were made in the US she said I'd be charged duty on all. It seemed kinda rubbish since I don't think anything is made in the US these days!

[TheHoff]

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2008/01-99/ch90-eng.pdf

Enjoy arguing much? You should have fun getting a refund I think.

[Mr.Ric]

:) Thanks a lot for finding that!!! I think I'll highlight a few points and then fax the pages over to them and see what they say.

[ssim]

You'll find that anything that you get via UPS from the US is subject to these charges. I tried fighting them on a 104.00 charge once and gave up as it just wasn't worth the time I was putting in to it. I always try to ship with anyone but UPS.