Shipping from US to Canada

[nemele]

Hey Guys,

I'm currently looking to order Uni-Chip and potentially other parts from the US, but I don't know how much I would have to pay at customs/duties.

I've heard of people using a freight forwarder, but not entirely sure how that works and if you truly avoid costs that way.

Just wondering what everyone has done in terms of ordering parts from the US for cost savings and such or is it generally unavoidable?

[pheoxs]

Use USPS if you can, it will transfer to Canada Post and is the best way. Majority of the time you won't pay any duties on it and when you do it is very little.

UPS, DHL, and Fedex almost always charge duties for all shipments and it sucks. They each have their own pricing setups but typically its a flat rate brokerage charge (~10$) another random made up fee (~5$) then you're actual taxes (5-15% or so).

Being that you live fairly close to the border, you could also look into shipping it to a warehouse/holding place at the border, driving over and picking it up, and just bring it back yourself (just gst). Its usually a lot cheaper that way because shipping in the states is way cheaper (though mainly for large objects this is best, for something small like that, USPS is best)

[Brandon86]

usaddressinc.com thats what i used when ordering all of my parts, just took a 30min drive to pick everything up once it was shipped. was $5 every box you pick up ( doesnt matter in size).

[Stav]

Now I don't sell Unichip but I do sell everything else and usually keep it in stock for the FR-S community.

Check our pricing and service first you may not need to go through the hassles if its actually the same price at home?

Thank you

[f0rge]

Second using only USPS, you will avoid so much hassle and cost by avoiding the big shipping companies. It might be slower but it's the way to go. As said above you rarely pay any duty, and even if you do it's a fraction of what you'll be charged from UPS/Fedex/etc.

If I can't ship something USPS I don't even buy it anymore.

[UMB FR-S]

agree usps is the best way to go. buying things from canadian vendors would be ideal but their pricing leaves much to be desired. if usps is unavailable i would ship it to the border and then pick it up.

[wbradley]

Buy direct from the vendor. When the package arrives, you will have to pay 13% HST and an $8 inspection fee and you're done. Sometimes the dont bill you for the thx, but don't count on it.

[nemele]

Thanks everyone! I'll have to take a look at USPS and see if whatever I order can ship using that.
@Stav - I'll take a look at your site in the future when I consider more upgrades. Currently though, I'm just looking at Unichip just because from what I understand, once you unplug it, there really isn't a trace of it afterwards.

[jack43]

When you've been burned it's important to remember why Postal sucks.

-No tracking (effectively). "Processed at Detroit facility" and then it could be anytime that it's on your doorstep.

-long delays of 2-3 months are common and unexplainable

-you will never win a claim for something lost or damaged

It is the seller's burden to guaranty the package gets to you, which is asking a lot. The ONLY good thing about it is the cheaper rates. So remember that a vendor who ships First Class aka USPS is doing you a big favor.

[joergasm]

I would agree that USPS is the best delivery method. USPS isn't too expensive and sometimes no extra charge for duties. Comparing it to FedEX, DHL, etc. where the amount you pay is usually random and never consistent. Don't know how to comment on the shipping time difference between each method though.

I use cbiusa.com. 2-5 min drive from Niagara falls(take rainbow bridge). $5 for each package you deliver, $5 extra for oversized(my catback i was charged $5 for oversized).
$5 isn't so much, but if you wanna save costs, try to get all your items shipped in one box.

Crossing the border, it is up to you weather you want to declare it or not, I would suggest to declare it. I forgot the % they charge you on auto parts but I think it might be 8% duties/taxes.

My last time over the border for my cat-back, had a fake invoice they knew the price of it was much more than what the invoice said and they looked into it some more. Long story short, they went through my e-mail found the real invoice & flagged me and seized my cat-back but charged me 55%(up to 80) of the difference of the actual cost and my declared cost in order to get my item back.

[13 FR-S Veteran]

I own a Uni Chip and bought it Directly from Uni Chip of North America. Talked to Jack directly. All my compnonents were sent Fed Ex where I paid the Customs.

As I don't know of any Canadian Vendor for Uni Chip i'm, not sure how you can avoid this.

UnichipJack is a member of our forum. Maybe you can reach out to him and make some alternate shipping arrrangements.

[Myv]

^If you have an account with FedEx you can waiver the handling fee and just pay customs tax. I did this for a package, I was billed $15 or so, so I talked to the CSR at FedEx and he just said if I sign up for an account (free, no annual) it can be waivered.

[RoryTate]

Ship with an expedited service; the shipper enters the appropriate codes for duty on the proper form when it is shipped.

If you don't ship expedited, someone at the border has to open the package, look at it, and assign a code to the item. This is what brokerage is. Pay the extra couple bucks up front and ship it expedited and you only pay GST & whatever duty.

[Stav]

Originally Posted by joergasm

I would agree that USPS is the best delivery method. USPS isn't too expensive and sometimes no extra charge for duties. Comparing it to FedEX, DHL, etc. where the amount you pay is usually random and never consistent. Don't know how to comment on the shipping time difference between each method though.

I use cbiusa.com. 2-5 min drive from Niagara falls(take rainbow bridge). $5 for each package you deliver, $5 extra for oversized(my catback i was charged $5 for oversized).
$5 isn't so much, but if you wanna save costs, try to get all your items shipped in one box.

Crossing the border, it is up to you weather you want to declare it or not, I would suggest to declare it. I forgot the % they charge you on auto parts but I think it might be 8% duties/taxes.

My last time over the border for my cat-back, had a fake invoice they knew the price of it was much more than what the invoice said and they looked into it some more. Long story short, they went through my e-mail found the real invoice & flagged me and seized my cat-back but charged me 55%(up to 80) of the difference of the actual cost and my declared cost in order to get my item back.

That sounds painful and expensive, geez sounds like they are getting smarter.