Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/04/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Here's an update on my enquiries about courier company airfreight shipments of camera gears, lenses in particular, from the UK to Canada. 1. The shipper in the UK will need to quote the exact "duty class code for Canada". This code number identifies the merchandise for customs duty purposes. These code numbers are very specific to all kinds of merchandise. This search engine will help determine the class code. http://www.statcan.ca/trade/scripts/trade_search.cgi If the shipper misquotes the code number on the shipping documentation you can expect the merchandise to be held up at customs in Canada for as long as it takes for someone to determine the correct number which might not be a matter of priority for Canada Customs. This misquotation can be the primary cause for hold ups at Canada Customs. For example, the class code for "photographic lenses for cameras" imported from the UK into Canada is 9002 . 11. 10 . 90. The code for "lenses for cameras other than photographic" [whatever that means!] is 9002 . 11 . 90 . 90. 2. Canada Customs has a 1-800 number which gets you to a real live human being in Hamilton, Ontario who can give you the exact duty class code for whatever your little heart desires to know. I called this number this morning and got the most courteous and prompt on-the-telephone service I have ever experienced with an federal government department EVER! The lady to whom I spoke gave me her name, her title and her direct line phone number and what's even better advised me that the 9002 . 11 . 90 . 90 duty code classification does not attract any customs duties when the goods arrive. Wow! The lady reiterated the necessity of getting the duty class codes correct. If in any doubt, it makes sense for the importee in Canada to determine the code number and then supply it to the exporter in the UK. In my case, the exporter in the UK was going to quote the wrong duty class code which in and of itself would have rendered the shipment dutiable! By having provided the correct code I have saved having to pay any duties. As a bonus, the lady in Hamilton told me that if I experienced any difficulties on the duty question I was to call her on her direct line. The toll free Canada Customs duty enquiry line is 1-800-661-6121 3. The UPS tariff is detailed at http://www.ups.com/canada/using/software/currentrates/engcustoms_rates.html Brokerage fees are a function of the UPS service selected by the shipper and also of the value for duty as assessed by Canada Customs. There does not seem to be any scope for uncertainty on what you'll get charged. If UPS has to ante up customs duties and taxes {GST and PST] on the importee's behalf there is a disbursement fee. These are shown on the tariff. 4. The FEDEx brokerage fees are included in the shipping charges paid by the shipper or so I have been told on two separate calls to FEDEx Canada's 1-800 number. 5. If FEDEx has to ante up customs duties and taxes ahead of releasing possession of the goods to the importee, FEDEx will charge the importee 2.5% of the amount they disbursed on the importee's behalf. I think there is a $7 minimum 6. I cannot find the FEDEx tariff on their English language web site at http://www.fedex.ca/ca_english/ but FEDEx is mailing me a booklet outlining all the information. CONCLUSION ........... I think the most important thing is to ensure that the shipper does the paperwork correctly and quotes the correct duty class code number, not one that is closely approximate but the exactly correct number!! Hope this might of interest and use to list members. John Hudson Vancouver, BC, Canada