Ordering parts online

Steverado 99 · June 4, 2003

Just wondering how much duty the government got you for if you ordered stuff from the US and had it shipped to Canada.

Do they charge the GST and PST or any additional charge?

I just want to see its cheaper buy online rather than getting the parts from the dealer.

Shaners · June 5, 2003

That's a good question!?!? My snowmobile buddies almost always order their parts from Canada because it's cheaper. I know the exchange rate is getting a little closer, and it may not be a bargain for them anymore.

I don't know what the GST and PST are, so I can't tell you if it would be a good deal to order your parts from the U.S. I'm guessing those are sales taxes of some sort. I know if I order parts online, in most cases I do-not pay any taxes on them, unless the store is located in my state of residence.

Muskoka · June 5, 2003

It depends a lot on where the parts are made and how you have them shipped.

If they are of US or Mexican origin, under NAFTA there should be no duty. If they are manufactured off-shore, you can pay duty based on the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's rate schedule. This can be anywhere from 0 to as much as 30% depending on the item (not restriced to auto parts, of course).

You will likely pay both GST (a Federal 7% sales tax) and PST (a Provincial sales tax that varies from province to province - I'm in Ontario where it's 8%, so I pay 15% sales tax on just about everything I buy that's not food). Our government collects tax on purchaes made out side the country as though they were made inside the country. They only time this does not fully apply is when you make inter-province purchases. Then you only pay the GST (Federal) but not the PST (Provincial).

If you have the items shipped via the US Postal Service, you will accomplish two things: You will pay less for shipping than you will if you use a courier service. You will also only pay a CDN$5 service fee to Canada Post for clearing Customs. If you use a courier service (particularly UPS - I have much experience with them) you can expect to pay MINIMUM $40 brokerage fee which does not of course include the PST and GST they will also collect on behalf of the CCRA.

So to answer your question, yes you can save - particularly now that the Canadian dollar is up - but you have to be careful with how you get it shipped, and where the parts were made.

Feel free to email me directly if you have any more questions. I'd be happy to help.

Steverado 99 · June 5, 2003

Thanks for the info!

My experience has been that I will at least pay GST and PST so at least 15% because I'm in Ontario too, and sometimes I have to pay some other varying duty fees.

I'm waiting on a few price quotes, but, when I estimate the prices and do the math and add 15% on the cost its still cheaper to get the stuff from the US That was even when an American dollar got 1.5 Canadian dollars!! now its about 1.35

A while back I was looking at new torsion bars and I could get 2 from the US for the same price as 1 from the dealer in Canada, even after you added after 15% tax (but before duty). If what you say is true Muskoka, then I'll see about getting the US postal service to deliver my parts!