Job Discussion Forums

[ionix-]

How can I send a box of goods to Japan? I don't need the stuff right away and I can wait 2 months for it. I looked at the major carriers but none of them offer the service to Japan. I can go at the Port of Montreal to give the box. Any ideas?

[Mike L.]

Your local Canada Post outlet has Seamail shipping...

Check this rather well done site out!

http://www.canadapost.ca/splash.asp

[worlddiva]

I just went to Canadapost. They don't call it seamail but rather surface mail. Limit 20kg. There is also a limit in size so check before hand.

www.canadapost.ca

It cost me about 120$CAD tomail my 20kg box. It took 7 weeks.

[ionix-]

Ooh, I tought surface mail was only for North America. Thank you very much for the explanation, I will ship my goods.

Ionix

[Synne]

On this note...

...sorry to feed of a topic...

...I plan to send back home a few cartons...well as many cartons of cigarettes as I can get away with in all honesty as you all know why.

What are the procedures on this matter? Is the box you ship across inspected?

[Mike L.]

Smokes may be problematic as they ussually get charged duty. Hit the Canada post section to check tha tone out!

Mo matter, when you send something you must write your return address and declare what's in the package on a,ittle gree tag the post office gives you.

If you write ciggarettes I would guarantee they will check/open it and then...

[JimDunlop2]

Sending back versus bringing back. Hmm.. I'm not sure what the difference is but I would venture to guess, probably not much. You will have to fill out a customs declaration slip that will affix to the outside of the box before you ship it. When it gets to Canada, customs agents will read the contents and estimated value.

I would recommend checking out the Canadian Border Services website here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-e.html

Otherwise, for BRINGING stuff home on your person, the exceptions are as follows: (taken directly from the above website)

Alcohol - Travellers can bring limited amounts of alcohol into Canada duty-and-tax free, as part of their personal exemption of 48 hours or more.

The amounts are:

- 1.14 L (40 oz) of liquor, wine, or wine coolers; or
- 24 x 355 ml (12-oz.) cans or bottles of beer or ale; or
- 8.5 L (288 oz.) of beer or ale.

Travellers have to pay duties, taxes and provincial or territorial fees for any additional quantities of alcohol they bring in, up to provincial or territorial limits. However, these fees can be much higher that the original price of the product. Travellers must be 18 years old to bring alcohol into Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. The minimum age is 19 elsewhere in Canada.


Tobacco - Travellers can bring limited amounts of tobacco products into Canada duty-and-tax-free as part of their personal exemption of 48 hours or more. The amounts are:

- 200 g (14 oz.) of loose tobacco;
- 200 cigarettes;
- 50 cigars; and
- 200 tobacco sticks.

Travellers have to pay duties, taxes, and provincial or territorial fees for any additional quantities of tobacco they bring in, up to provincial or territorial limits. However, these fees can be much higher that the original price of the product. Travellers must be 18 years old to bring tobacco products into Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Yukon Territory, and Northwest Territories. The minimum age is 19 elsewhere in Canada.

[JimDunlop2]

AHA! Bing! Bing! Bing! Hit the jackpot.

Here:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/courier/postal/ind_duty_free-e.html
([b]bold=mine)
It says:

Postal Program -- Duty-free and tax-exempt importations

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) can examine any item that comes into Canada by mail.

You may have to pay duty, the goods and services tax (GST) or harmonized sales tax (HST), and provincial sales tax (PST) on items mailed to you. This depends on:

* the item's value in Canadian dollars
* whether or not it is a gift.

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Value in Canadian dollars

If someone mails you an item worth $20 CAN or less, you don't have to pay duty or tax on the item (see D8-2-2 for details).

If the item is worth more than $20 CAN, you must pay the applicable duty, the GST or HST, and any PST on the item's full value (see D8-2-2 for details).

Some items do not qualify for the $20 CAN exemption:

* tobacco
* books
* periodicals
* magazines
* alcoholic beverages
* goods ordered through a Canadian post office box or intermediary

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Items that qualify as a "gift"

For an item to qualify as a "gift", another person must send it to you personally and must include a card or other notice indicating that it's a gift.

* If you receive an imported gift by mail and it's worth $60 CAN or less, you don't have to pay duty or tax.
* If the gift is worth more than $60, you must pay duty and tax on the amount over $60 CAN.
o For example, if a relative sends you a gift worth $200 CAN, you must pay the applicable duty, the GST or HST, and any PST on $140 CAN.

Please note:

* The $60 CAN gift exemption does not apply to:
o goods such as tobacco, alcoholic beverages, or advertising material
o items sent by a business, company, or association.
* As well, the $60 CAN exemption that's available on gifts cannot be combined with the $20 CAN exemption that's available on all items.
[/b]


So, looks like you will definitely be paying something.... You get to take back a fair bit more if it's on your person when you return (as opposed to mailing it ahead of you). How much you will pay.... I dunno. Haven't been able to find that info (yet). If I do I'll post it. Otherwise you may have to phone em' up and ask.

[Synne]

Jim, greatly appreciated, thanks!