Were you charged tax on Markins products?

I'm looking to buy a Markins Q3T to replace my RRS BH-25. I just found out a few things which has raised some more questions.

• Markins ballheads are made in Korea. I thought they were made in North America. Not sure if that's a big deal or not. I was kind of avoiding Clamshell ballheads because they are made in Korea.
  
• Markins America (North American orders) ships their ballheads from Langley, British Columbia, Canada. I work in Surrey which is a close drive from Langley, but they do not offer local pick-up which is too bad.
  
• If I ship within Canada, I will have to pay about $35 more in Canadian taxes.
  
• If I ship to my U.S. address, I can save the tax, but I'm not sure if I have to pay import duties, etc.

Nope, just shipping as far as I remember. You could just call markinsamerica.com and ask to double check.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13835222
Nope, just shipping as far as I remember. You could just call markinsamerica.com and ask to double check.

I spoke to a fellow named Steven. Unfortunately, he said he had no idea what taxes are.

No import duties shipping to the States.

No tax or duties if shipped to USA (have done it a few times). Tax will be applied to Canada delivery.

SunTsu wrote in post #13835205
I'm looking to buy a Markins Q3T to replace my RRS BH-25. I just found out a few things which has raised some more questions.

• Markins ballheads are made in Korea. I thought they were made in North America. Not sure if that's a big deal or not. I was kind of avoiding Clamshell ballheads because they are made in Korea.
  
• Markins America (North American orders) ships their ballheads from Langley, British Columbia, Canada. I work in Surrey which is a close drive from Langley, but they do not offer local pick-up which is too bad.
  
• If I ship within Canada, I will have to pay about $35 more in Canadian taxes.
  
• If I ship to my U.S. address, I can save the tax, but I'm not sure if I have to pay import duties, etc.

So, it seems a bit silly that I will be shipping the product from Canada to the U.S. and then carrying it back to Canada. Can someone who's American tell me if they were charged anything additional when ordering a Markins product and shipping to a U.S. address?

As to the Korean thing, i too was surprised because i thought they were at least canadian, but they're company history has the going back a ways to Korea (and you can get them shipped direct from korean suppliers for a little less), i have a q3t and it's very well made. i have no concerns about the quality.

minhi wrote in post #13838087
As to the Korean thing, i too was surprised because i thought they were at least canadian, but they're company history has the going back a ways to Korea (and you can get them shipped direct from korean suppliers for a little less), i have a q3t and it's very well made. i have no concerns about the quality.

I'm not q mechanical engineer or anything close but I think it's interesting that the Markins asks for WD40 but the RRS stuff asks for no lube of any sort.

I have M10 head. Love it. RRS is top class but M10/M20 haven't disappointed when used with superteels, 300mm f2.8 IS or the 500mm f4 IS. Who cares where it is made. I never seen anything canadian besides my maple syrup.

No, I had two of them and didn't pay any tax....and Bobbyz - nothing wrong with maple syrup.

rick_reno wrote in post #13843562
Bobbyz - nothing wrong with maple syrup.

I love it, just had today with home made blueberry pancakes.

I find it odd that Markins will ship a Q3T anywhere in the U.S. for free , but will charge $16.00 to ship to Ontario (within Canada, as is Markins North America).

Edit: just checked and they charge $16.00 to ship to B.C. (next door)!! and free to the U.S.

Price listed online + shipping on mine to Oregon...