So Matthew Grimm points to customs documents needing to be correctly filled out as a major issue when shipping to Canada, and I can see that as being an annoyance. Is it more difficult than what I do when I send something?
Every time I send an item from Canada to anywhere outside of Canada I have to declare what it is (e.g.; Used bicycle brake levers) and a value (e.g.; $25 CDN) and declare whether it is a gift or not (usually I do not declare anything I've sold as a gift). That is the extent of any customs documents I have to deal with when I take an item to the post office. Not hard IMO.
When receiving an item from outside of Canada, I expect it to take longer, I expect to get dinged for taxes and duty (I factor that into any purchases I negotiate). If it doesn't take longer and the tax man misses me I consider it a bonus! Having an item delayed and held for duty is a given for anything but the smallest of items. Basically with the cost of shipping, taxes and duties as well as the pitiful exchange rate there are few incentives for Canadians to look to the States for deals, but sometimes for classic bike (<- classic content Dale!) parts that you just can't find there isn't much of a choice.
Free trade, gotta love it.
But having an item delayed, dutied and taxed are all issues for buyers in Canada. How are these things issues for the seller? Once the customs docs are filled in and the item is gone....?
Also looking forward to hearing from folks on their experiences, because I really need to know.
David Bilenkey in warm and wet Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-admin@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-admin@bikelist.org]On Behalf Of Matthew Grimm
> Sent: October 1, 2002 7:14 AM
> To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]Shipping used bikes/parts from the USA: how hard can it be?
>
> Hi,
>
> David Bilenkey asked how difficult it is to ship out
> of the USA.
>
> In my experience, shipping items to Canada is simply
> not worth the effort. The customs docs need to be
> letter perfect and even when they are, roughly half of
> all items that I have shipped to Canada are delayed
> and/or held for duty. I have stopped doing business
> with Canadians.
>
> I have shipped items to Germany, England, Japan and
> Italy without any problem.
>
> And I have never heard of anyone having any trouble
> with items coming into the USA.
>
> I'd like to hear what experiences other have had.
>
> Matthew - Shakopee, MN