Buying Online from Canada

[ACR]

Not sure if this is the right forum for this...

Does anyone know what the duty is (if there is one) for importing Scuba equipment into Canada? Say if I were to buy something online from a US retailer? Has anyone done this before? any trouble?

Thanks!

 

[Steve R]

Not sure if this is the right forum for this...

Does anyone know what the duty is (if there is one) for importing Scuba equipment into Canada? Say if I were to buy something online from a US retailer? Has anyone done this before? any trouble?

Thanks!

It's a very common occurrence. You have to pay the taxes. I've never been nabbed with any duty. Watch out for brokerage fees with certain shippers. That could impact your savings as it can be a fair sum ($40-$50), but the reality is things are so much cheaper generally speaking, from the US, that unless you're buying a snorkel or other cheap item you'll still come out ahead.

Combine all that with the strength in the Canadian dollar-ette, and we have some good opportunities to buy abroad currently.

I really hate to suggest to someone to buy outside of their LDS because they are simply good people running a business, but the bottom line is if they're not willing to even get in the ballpark, and they can if they really want to, you were not born to fill their pockets. I highly doubt they would do the same for you. It only stands to reason.

 

[wwunder]

I've ordered a few things off retailers on ebay, but not from the big online dealers... The main thing is DO NOT SHIP UPS. They charge huge disbursement fees to deal with customs... If you have is shipped USPS you only have to pay $5 for the disbursments plus whatever the assessed duty is (usually you have to pay taxes).

You could also look at a canadian online dealer like divetank (vancouver) who seem to be pretty good. I bought an apeks reg from them and had no problems.

Cheers,

Warren

 

[ACR]

I really hate to suggest to someone to buy outside of their LDS because they are simply good people running a business, but the bottom line is if they're not willing to even get in the ballpark, and they can if they really want to, you were not born to fill their pockets. I highly doubt they would do the same for you. It only stands to reason.

I agree with you there. I wouldn't even consider buying online to save $50 bucks or so. I like the guys at my LDS and would prefer to support their business. But if you can save a couple hundred bucks online, well, that's more than a few fills (which will probably end up going to the LDS )

 

[scarefaceDM]

Agreed with - AVOID UPS! They rip you off big time. But expect to pay duty if the item is new and imported. Make sure to request regular postal shipping and avoid retailer markings. Used gear usally flies by without notice of the customs officer. But then again he may just hold it longer. Aside from that prices are good and bottom line is your wallet. You will pay taxes of sorts..but in the long run. It will be cheaper depending on the item.

However look at the bottom line and see what your are really saving or spending. Chances are you may not save that much in the end. Buyer be ware. I get things shipped to a US PO box and go for a day trip and pick up the item. ..put the new toy in with a smelly old wetsuit...it may deter the onlooker..

 

[Warren_L]

I despise UPS as rule. Every now and then I forget and a retailer ships UPS, more often than not, I get burned. I got charged a 30% brokerage fee recently on something shipped from the US. However, if UPS is the only choice, if you can get UPS expedited at a reasonable price, brokerage fees are included.

As far as duty is concerned, I think according to NAFTA, US manufacturered goods imported into Canada have no duties assessed. You are just responsible for the taxes coming in.

 

[covediver]

I have purchased items from Canada online and had them shipped to me via Canadian mail and had no problems.

 

[Steve R]

I have purchased items from Canada online and had them shipped to me via Canadian mail and had no problems.

lol,....I know how the text read, but if you'll note he's in Canada having stuff shipped in.

 

[Steve R]

....I like the guys at my LDS and would prefer to support their business. But if you can save a couple hundred bucks online, well, that's more than a few fills (which will probably end up going to the LDS )

The other issue that this sets up is that you just get used to buying on-line because you've proven to yourself too many times how far off the mark they are in costs with a variety of items.

We are creatures of habit right or wrong, and what happens is you just stop giving them the time of day when it comes to gear purchases. You don't even bother asking "how much" because you know it's always been "too much" in the past.

It's pretty sad when you can get an item shipped from Germany with all the inherent costs, for cheaper than down the street.

 

[ajames54]

Not sure if this is the right forum for this...

Does anyone know what the duty is (if there is one) for importing Scuba equipment into Canada? Say if I were to buy something online from a US retailer? Has anyone done this before? any trouble?

Thanks!

Well I've bought from scuba toys a few times now.. last order cost 18$ shipping and arrived next day. (I've bought from others in the past but the shipping has always been much more expensive, and the wait has been weeks in some cases)

Duty depends on where the stuff was made.. if it is all made in the US or Mexico then ther eis no duty just the sales taxes. If what you are buying comes from elsewhere the duty can be much higher than 0