Shipping from BC Canada to the US

  • Thread starter Thread starter LP Freak
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LP Freak

LP Freak

Well-known member
I’m considering purchasing a guitar located in BC Canada. Are there any fees I need to be aware of when doing so? I seem to remember purchasing an amp from Canada years ago and sometime later received a bill from UPS for like 150 bucks.
 
Sometimes there’s a tax on shipping from other country’s . Happens to me almost everyone I get amos from Hermanson or what not . Usually $75 last few years
 
My last purchase from Japan and Canada in 2024 did not charge customs fees only what I paid on Reverb and Ebay which was state tax. But they were only pedals and not over $200 each.

The one from Japan came in less than 4 days to my door, the latest one from Canada sat in custom for a full week and it was almost 2 1/2 weeks to get the pedal......WTF????

On an expensive guitar they probably won't let the customs slide.....but ya never know. I would just be prepared to pay them and if you don't get charged happy no tax day.........
 
harddriver said:
My last purchase from Japan and Canada in 2024 did not charge customs fees only what I paid on Reverb and Ebay which was state tax. But they were only pedals and not over $200 each.

The one from Japan came in less than 4 days to my door, the latest one from Canada sat in custom for a full week and it was almost 2 1/2 weeks to get the pedal......WTF????

On an expensive guitar they probably won't let the customs slide.....but ya never know. I would just be prepared to pay them and if you don't get charged happy no tax day.........
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This will be a private sale
 
I believe if the guitar was made in the US, the import cost is less because the guitar “belongs” here. I got my Soldano poweramp and Caswell from BC and they didn’t charge me anything. Same for a Rivera that I imported from Italy…. Not so much luck on the Larry.
 
Under $800 = $0
Made in US and returning to US = $0

It's about 3-6% of anything over $800 (not including the first $800) depending on how they interpret the hts + paperwork which can be $5-50, usually.
 
Not that I’d encourage tax fraud, but Vancouver is close enough to the border that they should just drive over and ship from the us
 
UPS will rip you a new butthole on broker fees.

Fed Ex used to be my go to.....but.....lately they have really declined.....in my experience.
 
Yehuda said:
Not that I’d encourage tax fraud, but Vancouver is close enough to the border that they should just drive over and ship from the us
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They will be asked by US customs if they are bringing any goods with them. Could complicate the situation, might not???
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
Under $800 = $0
Made in US and returning to US = $0

It's about 3-6% of anything over $800 (not including the first $800) depending on how they interpret the hts + paperwork which can be $5-50, usually.
Click to expand...
Yes, it’s a made in the US guitar but over $800
 
67mike said:
UPS will rip you a new butthole on broker fees.

Fed Ex used to be my go to.....but.....lately they have really declined.....in my experience.
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That’s what I bent over for last time was a brokerage free from UPS
 
alund said:
I believe if the guitar was made in the US, the import cost is less because the guitar “belongs” here.........Same for a Rivera that I imported from Italy….
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Agreed.

My Rivera came from Canada, and arrived in 4 days, with no extra fees.
 
67mike said:
They will be asked by US customs if they are bringing any goods with them. Could complicate the situation, might not???
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Again not that I condone it, but it’s not hard to just lie
 
LP Freak said:
This will be a private sale
Click to expand...
Have them bring it over saying they have a gig, then ship it from the US if they want to avoid all the BS but then you would have to reimburse them the fuel which would probably add up to the customs/brokerage fees anyway.
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
Under $800 = $0
Made in US and returning to US = $0

It's about 3-6% of anything over $800 (not including the first $800) depending on how they interpret the hts + paperwork which can be $5-50, usually.
Click to expand...
That is correct. I purchased a Made in USA Hamer Centara from Japan. Shipping company was DSL. Tried to collect on import fees but I provided the information saying it was Made in the USA, and fees were dropped.

Have the shipper CLEARLY state the item was Made in the USA on any forms ( usually where it states COUNTRY OF ORIGIN) That line must state Made in USA.
 
Brokerage fees. Doesn't matter where the item was manufactured. UPS will bend you over.
 
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