U.S. resident has questions re buying used lens from a Canadian

smf · 04-19-2016, 05:58 AM

If you have relatively recent Customs experience with this, I would appreciate information.

The used Pentax lens in Canada in which I am interested as a possible buyer is valued at more than U.S. $200.

I am a U.S. resident. I do not want to be surprised by hangups involving required paperwork and/or high fees.

I have tried wading through official information online but do not see clear details on requirements and duty applicable to such a small purchase of a used lens for personal use.

I do not live near a metropolitan area with a U.S. Customs facility.

Also, I have read that use of Canada Post and U.S. Postal Service is advisble, rather than one or more of the shipping companies.

Thanks for any information, and best wishes.

Bamtax · 04-19-2016, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by smf

If you have relatively recent Customs experience with this, I would appreciate information.

The used Pentax lens in Canada in which I am interested as a possible buyer is valued at more than U.S. $200.

I am a U.S. resident. I do not want to be surprised by hangups involving required paperwork and/or high fees.

I have tried wading through official information online but do not see clear details on requirements and duty applicable to such a small purchase of a used lens for personal use.

I do not live near a metropolitan area with a U.S. Customs facility.

Also, I have read that use of Canada Post and U.S. Postal Service is advisble, rather than one or more of the shipping companies.

Thanks for any informion, and best wishes.

I have purchased (through e-bay) several lenses from Canada, highest value about $400 U.S. Dollars. I have never had a problem, a hold-up, or a hitch...it was, in fact, no different from any U.S. E-bay purchase, excepting the listing in Canadian currency. I live in rural CA. I would feel no qualms in any order from Canada.

**UncleVanya** · 04-19-2016, 06:08 AM

Every purchase I have made has been fine. Most recent purchase was a used tripod and head at about $220. I live in North Carolina and it was shipped from Canada.

**Quartermaster James** · 04-19-2016, 06:19 AM - **1 Like**

The difficulty is in sending goods the other direction.

**pepperberry farm** · 04-19-2016, 06:21 AM - **1 Like**

I've purchased from Japan, Great Britain, many other countries, and most, recently, Canada... beware of the beaver pelts and maple syrup they will try to smuggle out of the country...

beyond that - no issues, ever, with shipping packages, no matter the contents...

pete-tarmigan · 04-19-2016, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by smf

If you have relatively recent Customs experience with this, I would appreciate information.

The used Pentax lens in Canada in which I am interested as a possible buyer is valued at more than U.S. $200.

I am a U.S. resident. I do not want to be surprised by hangups involving required paperwork and/or high fees.

I have tried wading through official information online but do not see clear details on requirements and duty applicable to such a small purchase of a used lens for personal use.

I do not live near a metropolitan area with a U.S. Customs facility.

Also, I have read that use of Canada Post and U.S. Postal Service is advisble, rather than one or more of the shipping companies.

Thanks for any information, and best wishes.

Photographic equipment is not subject to tariffs (North American Free Trade Agreement). However, upon entering the U.S., the shipping company may have to calculate, collect, and remit applicable sales taxes, if any. The courier companies charge a much larger "brokerage fee" to do this than the US Postal Service does. I'm not sure if the US has a federal sales tax. Your state may have a sales tax, but I don't know if that is chargeable to the buyer.

pathdoc · 04-19-2016, 07:00 AM

Originally posted by Quartermaster James

The difficulty is in sending goods the other direction.

I'm in Canada. Customs have hit me with something for foreign lenses EVERY TIME (doubtless NL sales tax). It takes the shine off buying from ebay in the US. Buying new, the Canadian prices are so crazy for some things that B&H has a slight edge.

dsmithhfx · 04-19-2016, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by Quartermaster James

The difficulty is in sending goods the other direction.

Too true.

Not a Number · 04-19-2016, 07:18 AM

Customs allowance is $200. You'd only pay duty on values over that.

I maybe wrong but NAFTA should only apply to good produced in North America.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/126/kw/mail%20duty

You can use Pitney-Bowes duty calculator the check:

http://www.dutycalculator.com/

Ontarian50 · 04-19-2016, 07:37 AM - **1 Like**

Ebay sent me this notice on March 11, 2016.

"Selling to US buyers just got easier.

As of yesterday, the United States has increased their de minimis threshold from US$200 to US$800. In practice, this means that goods shipped by Canadians to US buyers will only be assessed for duties if their value exceeds US$800.

This change should make Canadian exporters on eBay even more competitive: Canadian inventory does well in the US and now a key barrier for US buyers has been lifted. Canadian sellers who have previously shied away from listing high-value items should re-consider these decisions in light of this de minimis increase.

The threshold change is due to the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, which President Obama signed into law in late February. eBay actively supported this legislation and we’re pleased to see it finally come into effect – it will be a huge benefit for international sellers who ship to the US. (Learn more.)

Sincerely,

eBay Canada"

**gofour3** · 04-19-2016, 07:45 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

beware of the beaver pelts and maple syrup they will try to smuggle out of the country...

Our biggest success to date has been dumping "Justin Bieber" on you guys!

Enjoy,

Phil.

smf · 04-19-2016, 08:37 AM

Thanks to all for the very helpful and speedy responses!

Best wishes,
Stu

pathdoc · 04-19-2016, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by Ontarian50

s of yesterday, the United States has increased their de minimis threshold from US$200 to US$800. In practice, this means that goods shipped by Canadians to US buyers will only be assessed for duties if their value exceeds US$800.

This change should make Canadian exporters on eBay even more competitive:

What does it do for US sellers? It's export, not import, that strengthens an economy.

**pepperberry farm** · 04-19-2016, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by gofour3

our biggest success to date has been dumping "justin bieber" on you guys!

enjoy,

phil.

ouch!

johnyates · 04-19-2016, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by pathdoc

I'm in Canada. Customs have hit me with something for foreign lenses EVERY TIME

Is it customs? or is it CRA assessing GST/PST?

As to the original poster, you are good provided you arrange post office shipping. Courier companies charge a bogus 'brokerage fee' which is a huge rip-off. So, only buy from sellers who ship Canada Post.

04-19-2016, 05:58 AM	#1
smf Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midland, MI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,083	U.S. resident has questions re buying used lens from a Canadian If you have relatively recent Customs experience with this, I would appreciate information. The used Pentax lens in Canada in which I am interested as a possible buyer is valued at more than U.S. $200. I am a U.S. resident. I do not want to be surprised by hangups involving required paperwork and/or high fees. I have tried wading through official information online but do not see clear details on requirements and duty applicable to such a small purchase of a used lens for personal use. I do not live near a metropolitan area with a U.S. Customs facility. Also, I have read that use of Canada Post and U.S. Postal Service is advisble, rather than one or more of the shipping companies. Thanks for any information, and best wishes.

04-19-2016, 07:18 AM	#9
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Customs allowance is $200. You'd only pay duty on values over that. I maybe wrong but NAFTA should only apply to good produced in North America. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/126/kw/mail%20duty You can use Pitney-Bowes duty calculator the check: http://www.dutycalculator.com/ Last edited by Not a Number; 04-19-2016 at 07:26 AM.

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04-19-2016, 06:06 AM	#2
Bamtax Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 76	Originally posted by smf If you have relatively recent Customs experience with this, I would appreciate information. The used Pentax lens in Canada in which I am interested as a possible buyer is valued at more than U.S. $200. I am a U.S. resident. I do not want to be surprised by hangups involving required paperwork and/or high fees. I have tried wading through official information online but do not see clear details on requirements and duty applicable to such a small purchase of a used lens for personal use. I do not live near a metropolitan area with a U.S. Customs facility. Also, I have read that use of Canada Post and U.S. Postal Service is advisble, rather than one or more of the shipping companies. Thanks for any informion, and best wishes. I have purchased (through e-bay) several lenses from Canada, highest value about $400 U.S. Dollars. I have never had a problem, a hold-up, or a hitch...it was, in fact, no different from any U.S. E-bay purchase, excepting the listing in Canadian currency. I live in rural CA. I would feel no qualms in any order from Canada.

04-19-2016, 06:08 AM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,403	Every purchase I have made has been fine. Most recent purchase was a used tripod and head at about $220. I live in North Carolina and it was shipped from Canada.

04-19-2016, 06:19 AM - 1 Like	#4
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	The difficulty is in sending goods the other direction.

04-19-2016, 06:21 AM - 1 Like	#5
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,678	I've purchased from Japan, Great Britain, many other countries, and most, recently, Canada... beware of the beaver pelts and maple syrup they will try to smuggle out of the country... beyond that - no issues, ever, with shipping packages, no matter the contents...

04-19-2016, 06:54 AM	#6
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by smf If you have relatively recent Customs experience with this, I would appreciate information. The used Pentax lens in Canada in which I am interested as a possible buyer is valued at more than U.S. $200. I am a U.S. resident. I do not want to be surprised by hangups involving required paperwork and/or high fees. I have tried wading through official information online but do not see clear details on requirements and duty applicable to such a small purchase of a used lens for personal use. I do not live near a metropolitan area with a U.S. Customs facility. Also, I have read that use of Canada Post and U.S. Postal Service is advisble, rather than one or more of the shipping companies. Thanks for any information, and best wishes. Photographic equipment is not subject to tariffs (North American Free Trade Agreement). However, upon entering the U.S., the shipping company may have to calculate, collect, and remit applicable sales taxes, if any. The courier companies charge a much larger "brokerage fee" to do this than the US Postal Service does. I'm not sure if the US has a federal sales tax. Your state may have a sales tax, but I don't know if that is chargeable to the buyer.

04-19-2016, 07:00 AM	#7
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by Quartermaster James The difficulty is in sending goods the other direction. I'm in Canada. Customs have hit me with something for foreign lenses EVERY TIME (doubtless NL sales tax). It takes the shine off buying from ebay in the US. Buying new, the Canadian prices are so crazy for some things that B&H has a slight edge.

04-19-2016, 07:08 AM	#8
dsmithhfx Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,146	Originally posted by Quartermaster James The difficulty is in sending goods the other direction. Too true.

04-19-2016, 07:37 AM - 1 Like	#10
Ontarian50 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 530	Ebay sent me this notice on March 11, 2016. "Selling to US buyers just got easier. As of yesterday, the United States has increased their de minimis threshold from US$200 to US$800. In practice, this means that goods shipped by Canadians to US buyers will only be assessed for duties if their value exceeds US$800. This change should make Canadian exporters on eBay even more competitive: Canadian inventory does well in the US and now a key barrier for US buyers has been lifted. Canadian sellers who have previously shied away from listing high-value items should re-consider these decisions in light of this de minimis increase. The threshold change is due to the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, which President Obama signed into law in late February. eBay actively supported this legislation and we’re pleased to see it finally come into effect – it will be a huge benefit for international sellers who ship to the US. (Learn more.) Sincerely, eBay Canada"

04-19-2016, 07:45 AM - 1 Like	#11
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by pepperberry farm beware of the beaver pelts and maple syrup they will try to smuggle out of the country... Our biggest success to date has been dumping "Justin Bieber" on you guys! Enjoy, Phil.

04-19-2016, 08:37 AM	#12
smf Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midland, MI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,083 Original Poster	Thanks to all for the very helpful and speedy responses! Best wishes, Stu

04-19-2016, 08:39 AM	#13
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by Ontarian50 s of yesterday, the United States has increased their de minimis threshold from US$200 to US$800. In practice, this means that goods shipped by Canadians to US buyers will only be assessed for duties if their value exceeds US$800. This change should make Canadian exporters on eBay even more competitive: What does it do for US sellers? It's export, not import, that strengthens an economy.

04-19-2016, 08:43 AM	#14
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,678	Originally posted by gofour3 our biggest success to date has been dumping "justin bieber" on you guys! enjoy, phil. ouch!

04-19-2016, 10:35 AM	#15
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	Originally posted by pathdoc I'm in Canada. Customs have hit me with something for foreign lenses EVERY TIME Is it customs? or is it CRA assessing GST/PST? As to the original poster, you are good provided you arrange post office shipping. Courier companies charge a bogus 'brokerage fee' which is a huge rip-off. So, only buy from sellers who ship Canada Post.