Canada customs started charging fees about 2 weeks ago. If this is to pay for social programs, what the hell are they doing with all the other money we pay in taxes that supposedly are going to social programs...

I'm moving to Alberta...at least I won't have to pay PST.

I'm right behind you LOL. In BC we end paying 14.5% (GST & PST) What is it in Ont.?

I never heard about this customs thing - aren't the Liberals running a surplus right now?

I can beat that!
 

14.5% eh?
In Ontario, we pay 15% taxes (pst & gst). It's insane. And they're talking about raising the GST to 10% (which is a raise of 3% from what it is now). Americans would never stand for these kind of taxes.
I've ordered things from the States a couple of times and I got slammed with duty taxes. It's just not worth it.

Unfortunately, duty has been a pain since the good ol 1800's!

I used to ship computer equipment from Canada to the US - the paperwork for each item (mouse, keyboard - you get the picture) was about 30 pages per shipment.

Clothing is has one of the largest % duties along with shoes - around 20/22 %

example - Shoes- $20
now add duty - 22% - $4.40 = 24.40 USD

24.40 x exchange rate of 1.59 = 38.78
http://money.cnn.com/markets/currencies/americas.html

add any excise taxes and the like = 38.78 +5

43.78 x GST (fed tax) 7% = 46.84

(Prov tax should not be charged - this can only be charged by a company who has a provincial sales tax number - i.e. UPS in Toronto charges a processing fee, then PST can be charged on the processing fee)

If you are going for a road trip with your chapter, most US campus tend to have a Greek store where letters/t-shirts can be made. Call about 2 weeks before and order one, and then pick it up on yur visit. If you are out of Canada for at least 48 hours, you have up to $200 Cdn of goods you can bring back duty free.

For more info, visit Canada Customs and Revenue Agency at http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/menu-e.html

I thought raising the GST to 10% was just a nasty rumour.

I never heard the 10% rumor, but I think there would be hell to pay if they decided to do that. My uncle just moved to Calgary to save on taxes.

And while I am aware of duty taxes, this is the first time I have ever been charged for having things shipped from the states...so either this particular one is new or they are just stupid and forgot to charge me...I'd like to think they're stupid...but not that they forgot to chagre me.

I have just decided not to order anything from the states anymore. It's not worth it.

Thats a lot of money to keep the Queen happy and in Buckingham Palace.

lol

Hey,

I feel your pain....but I find most Greek online retailers will put $0 or gift on the info so you are charged less duty.

it is crazy...i bought 2 ceramic pin boxes for my sisters and had it sent to their house since i'm outta town....well my total cost was around $25 usd, they were charged $20 cad for duty....that sucks...
yet, i also ordered tumblers and balloons for the chapter, online cost $145 dollars...they were charged only $17 cad..(?)

so it really depends on what you are shipping!

As for t-shirts and other apparel...Guelph must have some local screenprinting/embroidery places. In windsor we just use them and prices are usually ok...esp for larger orders.

Love in the Bond

Jen

ps...just met a couple of your sisters at CIFC!

It is ridiculous. Our appareal girl has actually found a new place in London, I think they're called Distinctly Greek, but I think we'll be doing a bit of ordering from them. We actually ordered some sweatshirts from Buffalo and a couple of the girls are driving down to pick them up to save on Shipping (and hopefully duty).

Clothing isn't really a big problem, but specialty items we have to go to the States for.

Emily

P.S Did you enjoy the conference...I wanted to go but I was low on funds...I'm sure I'll hear all the stories in Chapter