Shipping to Canada

[ballercaller]

So I'm in the process of finalizing a purchase from Whiteflash. I have a question about the whole shipping process to Canada. I have been recommended to have the item shipped to a fedEx shipping location instead of to my home. I know I'll have to pay the taxes on the item, but are there any additional fees?
How are the taxes calculated? Is it based on the USD total, or is the total converted to CAD, then the tax on that. I ask due to the exchange rats fluctuating.
Also, I read that I may need to sign some forms for FedEx to bring the stone over the boarder? Is this correct, or can I just sit back and wait for WF to ship and just wait for it to arrive at the pick up location?
Can anyone explain what the best process is to avoid additional fees and to get the item in a timely manner?

Thanks

 

[blackprophet]

So I'm in the process of finalizing a purchase from Whiteflash. I have a question about the whole shipping process to Canada. I have been recommended to have the item shipped to a fedEx shipping location instead of to my home. I know I'll have to pay the taxes on the item, but are there any additional fees?
How are the taxes calculated? Is it based on the USD total, or is the total converted to CAD, then the tax on that. I ask due to the exchange rats fluctuating.
Also, I read that I may need to sign some forms for FedEx to bring the stone over the boarder? Is this correct, or can I just sit back and wait for WF to ship and just wait for it to arrive at the pick up location?
Can anyone explain what the best process is to avoid additional fees and to get the item in a timely manner?

Thanks

I'm fairly sure there are no other fees. If you have it shipped to your house, you have to be home to pay the tax anyways, or else they take it back to the depot and try again the next day. If you go that route you can always call and ask them to hold it at the Depot for you to pick up.

Either way the total will be converted to CAD so it doesn't really matter. If they convert first and then tax or tax first then convert. (A*T)*C =(A*C)*T. Your tax will be charged on the conversion rate the day it enters the country.

Is it a loose stone or will it be set? Either way there shouldnt be any other forms other than the ones you have to sign when you pick it up. They may contact you just to confirm you want the package depending on the value.

When I bought loose stones, they were shipped to my house. They called to let me know how much taxes I owed. I called to have them hold it at the depot. I was lucky enough to catch them before it went on the truck for delivery, so they called me back an hour later to say it was ready for pickup. If its on the truck you will have to wait until it gets back to the depot but they will call you and let you know when its ready for pick up.I went there paid the tax and got my package.

I live in the GTA. Maybe others can share their experiences.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I have imported many many many things with FedEx into Canada from the US.

If the item is valued over about $2000, then you will receive a call from FedEx early in the morning to arrange to sign paperwork allowing them to clear the item through customs on your behalf. At that time you will also provide a credit card number to pay the taxes, which is GST/PST or HST on the Canadian dollar value of the item (they will convert using the current exchange). There are no other duties, provided WF correctly fills out the form indicating US origin of manufacture (which they will) Unfortunately, that process of signing the paperwork usually delays shipment by one day Then they deliver to your house.

If it is under $2000 then they clear it without you signing any paperwork and collect taxes on delivery.

I actually prefer to have it shipped to me "hold for pickup" to the nearest FedEx location to me. WF will know how to do this. That way I can be sure it is safe until I get it and there is no chance it will be left on my doorstep. Yes, they will sometimes leave a package on your door if the driver thinks it is safe to do so -- I have no clue how they judge "safe"! And then I can pick it up at my own discretion.

 

[Dreamer_D]

When I bought loose stones, they were shipped to my house. They called to let me know how much taxes I owed. I called to have them hold it at the depot. I was lucky enough to catch them before it went on the truck for delivery, so they called me back an hour later to say it was ready for pickup. If its on the truck you will have to wait until it gets back to the depot but they will call you and let you know when its ready for pick up.I went there paid the tax and got my package.

Just for future reference, the bolded is not always possible. It has been my experience that FedEx will not change the terms of shipping (from home delivery to hold for pickup) unless the sender okays such a change, which is a PITA. This may be the case for higher value items only, or it may be a requirement of the jewelers third party insurance. So it is best to choose your delivery method at the outset -- as I mentioned, you can ask for the item to be shipped directly to you as a "hold for pickup" at a FedEx depot.

 

[blackprophet]

Just for future reference, the bolded is not always possible. It has been my experience that FedEx will not change the terms of shipping (from home delivery to hold for pickup) unless the sender okays such a change, which is a PITA. This may be the case for higher value items only, or it may be a requirement of the jewelers third party insurance. So it is best to choose your delivery method at the outset -- as I mentioned, you can ask for the item to be shipped directly to you as a "hold for pickup" at a FedEx depot.

Thanks Dreamer. My items have always been under $2000 so that might be why. But I'm fairly sure I read on the FedEx website that you can call and get them to hold it at any time. I know for a fact they will do this after the first atempt. I guess as well, because I didn't have to pay the taxes upfront (like you said you did), they were ok with holding it cause I had to pay them. I guess if the taxes are paid that increases the likelyhood of them leaving it at the door at their discretion.

But I agree that the best thing to do would be to get them to send it to be held at the facility off the bat, I just added that extra info in case the OP forgot to tell WF before hand.

 

[kmarla]

Don't know what happened to my earlier post so I'll try again. I'm in Ontario too. I ordered two rings online from the U.S. in FEbruary this year. The shipping was free. The cost of the rings was calculated in CAD based on daily exchange rate and HST was added on the invoice from the vender. One of the rings was manufactured outside the U.S. and this was noted on the invoice and shipping bill. The cost and HST were added together and then duty was charged on the total for that ring and it was all paid in advance before shipping. The only time I signed with FedEX was on delivery at my door. I found the process very easy and this was my first experience with purchasing a big ticket item from the U.S. Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Just for future reference, the bolded is not always possible. It has been my experience that FedEx will not change the terms of shipping (from home delivery to hold for pickup) unless the sender okays such a change, which is a PITA. This may be the case for higher value items only, or it may be a requirement of the jewelers third party insurance. So it is best to choose your delivery method at the outset -- as I mentioned, you can ask for the item to be shipped directly to you as a "hold for pickup" at a FedEx depot.

Thanks Dreamer. My items have always been under $2000 so that might be why. But I'm fairly sure I read on the FedEx website that you can call and get them to hold it at any time. I know for a fact they will do this after the first atempt. I guess as well, because I didn't have to pay the taxes upfront (like you said you did), they were ok with holding it cause I had to pay them. I guess if the taxes are paid that increases the likelyhood of them leaving it at the door at their discretion.

But I agree that the best thing to do would be to get them to send it to be held at the facility off the bat, I just added that extra info in case the OP forgot to tell WF before hand.

Good to know! Now that I think about it, I may have been remembering a time when I actually wanted to change the pickup location to a FedEx depot that was NOT the one nearest my home, which would then have involved a change of address and permission of the vendor

I am always worried about them leaving things at my door which is why I always opt for the "hold for pickup" route in advance.

 

[ballercaller]

thanks everyone!

 

[Sidius]

So what was the actual process to having this shipped from WF? I am looking at getting a custom ring done by them in Dec. (a very similar design to yours in fact) and I would like to know what the process was like once the ring was finished and shipped for importing in to Canada. I live in BC and would likely have it held for pickup at the FedEx facility. Did you just pay the GST/PST (or HST)? Did FedEx charge any broker fees or were there any other fees outside of the taxes and shipping insurance?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Enerchi]

FedEx does charge a handling fee and I have had it vary from $10-$35 CDN. No duty, per se, just the GST/ HST for your province. Not a problem to request it be held at the facility. The seller just marks "hold for pick up" when shipping.

 

[hawk25]

I just shipped a ring to Canada, and there's an important thing to add. If you're holding it at a FedEx location for pickup, it has to be picked up in 48 hours or it gets sent back. It has something to do with the insurance WF has.

I shipped it to a friend in another province to pick up, and didn't know about this rule. I originally told him to pick it up whenever he gets to it, but I got a call from WF a day later telling me I had to pick it up that night. Just something to keep in mind, especially if you're planning on hiding it.

The brokerage fee was $10 for me, and only paid the provincial tax rate

 

[JohnnyHands]

So I am about to pull the trigger on a diamond today from WF, and I have one concern. If for some reason I need to return this stone, am I correct in assuming that the taxes are a lost cause? Since the payment to WF is made without tax, if I have to return the stone they wouldn't refund that part of the payment would they?

My apologies for the seemingly simple question, I'm just really not sure how exactly the taxes over the border are handled. Thanks.

 

[Karolinec1]

It can be a slow process, but you can file a claim with the CBSA for your taxes back. Keep copies of all your documentation coming and going, including tracking numbers going back, etc. it can be a PITA, but I have filed claims twice for items returned to the US. Go to the CSBA site and check out the forms and process. Hope that helps somewhat!

 

[JohnnyHands]

It can be a slow process, but you can file a claim with the CBSA for your taxes back. Keep copies of all your documentation coming and going, including tracking numbers going back, etc. it can be a PITA, but I have filed claims twice for items returned to the US. Go to the CSBA site and check out the forms and process. Hope that helps somewhat!

Thanks for that info. Fingers crossed that it doesn't become an issue, but it's nice to know that there is something in place to reclaim taxes. If anyone needs more information about this, take a look at the link below.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d6/d6-2-6-eng.html

 

[Sidius]

It can be a slow process, but you can file a claim with the CBSA for your taxes back. Keep copies of all your documentation coming and going, including tracking numbers going back, etc. it can be a PITA, but I have filed claims twice for items returned to the US. Go to the CSBA site and check out the forms and process. Hope that helps somewhat!

Thanks for that info. Fingers crossed that it doesn't become an issue, but it's nice to know that there is something in place to reclaim taxes. If anyone needs more information about this, take a look at the link below.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d6/d6-2-6-eng.html

So did you end up pulling the trigger? What was the process like? As I'm getting closer to being ready to start designing this ring, I'm getting more curious about ordering something this expensive from the US and getting shipped across the continent lol.

I'm also curious what people say about getting the ring sized, repaired, etc.? Does WF make you send it back to them, even for something like sizing the ring? I'm not a fan of paying the premium prices that everything in Canada comes with but the hassle of shipping a ring from Vancouver to Houston and across the border, every time a stone is loose or if it needs to be sized, sounds daunting.