?? for other Canadians buying across the border on duty, etc

[redeemed]

I am curious what kind of fees to expect when I purchase my diamond over the border and have it shipped. Can you share what you had to pay upon delivery for customs and duty? Also, is it different for an unset diamond vs. one in a setting or is it just an amount based on the retail value?

Thanks in advance for sharing.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Welcome. The excise tax on jewellery was dropped in May of 2006. If you bring in/have shipped loose stones or set jewellery you only pay the GST (and depending where you live, PST also) on the stated VALUE of the merchandise. It has been my experience that the shipper assigns a value on the package and GST is calculated on that. Customs can and does inspect packages for content.

cheers--Sharon

 

[redeemed]

Ya, I do a bit of online shopping

but never of such a high amount so that is where I am curious. So just tax huh? Still cheaper than flying there and picking it up myself *grin*

 

[Quash]

To add to this, if it''s set, there is about 8.5% duty (may 8% - can''t remember), unlike shipping loose diamonds. Call FedEx and talk to their customs folks for details. Better yet, call Canada Customs. So, as one example, shipping a set diamond to Ontario would add around 23% in taxes, plus any broker''s/customs fees. Bluenile is registered in Canada, so you will avoid the duty on set diamonds but they drop ship and I trust the vendors around here more. Plus, I''m not a fan of their settings, but others may feel differently.

 

[beau13]

I live in Ontario, and pay 14% taxes of the "declared value". On top of that, items shipped by UPS, Fed Ex, Purolater..etc, charge a courier fee of about $50! I don''t think it matters whether the diamond is loose or set, the fees are determined by the value of the package. I order WAY too many things from the US, getting packages weekly, and that has been my experience. Bluenile told me that they ship from the US, even though they seem to have a Canadian website too. That highly inflated the price of a diamond I was thinking of buying from them, so I didn''t.

 

[redeemed]

I called Customs and they told me GST only (I am in AB) if the diamond is loose; a percentage + tax if it is set in jewellery. Interesting...

So Mr/Mrs. Fed Ex will show up and demand a couple hundred from me for tax I suppose. That will be just lovely. Good thing the diamond is such a great price and lovely.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I have the receipt from FedEx for diamond huggie earrings I just received from Winfields (Idaho) and I paid only 6% GST (AB) on the value of the package (labelled crystalized carbon, no less!

); and charge of $7 that could be what FedEx takes for handling. (listed as a "ROD" fee, not a duty or tax).

cheers--Sharon

 

[redeemed]

Thanks Sharon! That would be excellent! I actually BOUGHT the diamond this afternoon so I will find out regardless - I am so excited! It is nice to have an idea ahead of time what I am looking at for all the extra''s. Regardless, I know it will still come in way less expensive than buying something around here (and my mom actually manages a jewellery store - so even with her discount)!

Thanks for all the responses ladies. I definitely appreciated it!

 

[yamsicle]

Hi Redeemed,

When I had some platinum rings shipped across the border, the only thing I had to pay was GST, and I''m in Edmonton.

And you''re right, I priced out what I wanted locally, and I am saving at least 3-5 thousand thanks to Pricecope!

It''s nice to see so many Canadians on here!