Canadians only

Hi

Thinking of getting a lens from B&H. I want to make sure I have all of the costs accounted for. What taxes, imports costs etc can I expect.

Just got an order from B&H a couple of weeks ago and the only charges were PST and GST which you pay at the door. Make sure it is sent to you by UPS Express and no other as you don't pay brokers fees.

Of course there's also the exchange raate which I was charged on my Visa about 18 to 19%.

Hope this helps

jojo
--



Time is a great healer, but a lousy beautician.

Keith Petty said:

Hi
Thinking of getting a lens from B&H. I want to make sure I have
all of the costs accounted for. What taxes, imports costs etc can
I expect.

Click to expand...

(BH Price + UPS Shiping (Express or Expedited ONLY) ) * Exchange Then Add GST

Thats it, just be sure to use UPS Express Or Expedited as both include brokers fees.

BH holds all international orders for 1 day, then it will ship overnight as long as customs does not want to inspect it.

Add PST too if your so lucky...

Depending on the lens, you may be able to do just as well by ordering from a Canadian dealer in another province, e.g. simonscameras.com in Montreal if you don't live in Quebec. This way you don't pay the PST and in the event that there is something wrong with the lens a return is much less hassle. The Canada/US price differential is not the same for all lenses, so you have to check the specific case. I bought a Canon 17-40L from Simon's, and at that time the final price from B&H would have been within about $20. However, the 100mm f/2.8 macro was considerably cheaper from B&H.

Bob

I think some UPS charges can get up to $50 US or more. Its not cheap. I've bought from Vistek before, but I think they charge both taxes now on their transactions. Camera Canada is not too expensive, but I'm not fond of their return policy. Then there is Henry's as well. If you decide to buy in the US, I'm not sure how the warranty's play out.

When figuring out your costs make sure you include shipping (it will be in US$). Don't ship UPS ground! USPS is reliable but can take up to 2 weeks.

So long as UPS doesn't stick you with insane brokerage fees the cost will be GST+PST + service charge (depends on who's collecting takes -5-10$)

I would not get the B&H "Import" lens models as I believe you will have to send it back to NY for service. I'll bet you'll pay taxes all over again when they send back the fixed lens or replacement. Canon Canada should cover the "USA" warranty lenses.

My understanding from talking to Canon in AB is that Canon Canada will not honour the warranty on camera bodies, P&S, as well as some other items.

I don't know what hassle you will have getting a GST&PST refund if you decide to return an item. I wouldn't think it would be simple (if it's possible at all). If you are thinking of doing a window-shopping order (buying a bunch of stuff intending to return most or all) I'd think again.

As an other poster pointed out you can often get the higher end items for nearly the same price in Canada. In addition if you order across provinces you can often save on taxes. Note that if a company has a business office in your province they will have to charge you PST -- I.E. ordering from Vistek AB while living in ON won't work. Also note Canadian Prices are only set 2 or 3 times a year by Canon Canada and tend to get out of synch with the US.

For the NY photo dealers always check their holiday schedule and note that for B&H at least the B/O in-stock system isn't very reliable.

Good luck
Doug

Note that Canon usually doesn't offer the rebate program in Canada and if you read the fine print will not send you any money.

There's usually a lame offer from Canon Canada to give you money back if you buy a camera + scanner or printer. I wouldn't bother with either, but I'm an epson man myself....

Doug

Doug Morgan said:

Note that Canon usually doesn't offer the rebate program in Canada
and if you read the fine print will not send you any money.

There's usually a lame offer from Canon Canada to give you money
back if you buy a camera + scanner or printer. I wouldn't bother
with either, but I'm an epson man myself....

Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a lame offer isn't it...at least when compared to the offers south of the border. Same thing with those Dell discounts and stacked coupons.

I read your post above and just want to add a note or two. I have returned items to US stores for exchange and when the replacement is shipped back, no taxes are charged (I think there is a way to declare it on the shipping label or document). I mention this because there was some concern about being taxed for having a repaired unit coming across the border....now they could always tax the labour (I have no idea but it did cross my mind). Something I do is purchase a Mack warranty along with my lens purchase.

The key like you mentioned with regards to shipping is avoid UPS "lground" shipping because you'll end up with some brokerage fees. Expedited is fine. I shop at Adorama so I use FedEx all the time (no extra brokerage fees either).

I have saved hundreds of dollars sometimes just on one lens by purchasing from the US. I notice that Canadian pricing is closer to US pricing on some lenses now. Closer on some but still a savings when ordering from the US).

I have ordered items shipped by USPS in the past and it does take a long time 1 1/2 weeks or so. And your package is morte prone to being opened and inspected if shipped via USPS. Don't recall that ever happening with any of the couriers like UPS or FedEx.

Doug Morgan said:

Doug

Click to expand...

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I came looking for just this info. I'm hoping to order the 580Ex flash from B&H - $599cdn off the shelf here in Edmonton. Just over $400usd with shipping etc from B&H. Just needed to check into duty.

Bought a used lens out of the US a while ago and ended up paying gst on the insured value - I was under the impression that gst was not applied to used items.

Thanks for this info.

ann
--
Ann McRae

http://canadian-ann.smugmug.com
photo a day project:
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There should not be any duties levied on photographic equipment imported from the US into Canada. If they do charge you duties, you should speak to Canada Customs. If you live near a border town, you could always get the items shipped there, and "accidentally" put your new equipment in with your other camera gear as you cross the border.

Ann McRae said:

I came looking for just this info. I'm hoping to order the 580Ex
flash from B&H - $599cdn off the shelf here in Edmonton. Just over
$400usd with shipping etc from B&H. Just needed to check into duty.

Click to expand...

I ordered the 580ex from Adorama and no duty is charged. There rarely is on camera and lenses and flashes.

Ann McRae said:

Bought a used lens out of the US a while ago and ended up paying
gst on the insured value - I was under the impression that gst was
not applied to used items.

Thanks for this info.

ann
--
Ann McRae

http://canadian-ann.smugmug.com
photo a day project:
http://canadian-ann.smugmug.com/Photography/53198

Click to expand...

--

I know you mean well but please do not embed my images into the forum. Thanks for respecting that.
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/northern_gannet_and_right_whale
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/puffins

all digital stuffs has no Duties (I think lens on digital camera included) when imported to Canada.

It was before summer this year, I ordered a US$240 Lens,

Duty = 0.00 (Can$)
but needed to pay the followings:

PST/GST $44.81 (Can $)
UPS Brokage Fee $46.80 (Can$)
GST on above Brokage $3.28 (Can$)

total of above = $94.89 (Can$)

guys in US are just lucky. and I will never deal with UPS again.

K

Henry's currently has that lens onsale for less then you'll get it from BH, after the exchange is factored in $799. BTW, I wouldn't recommend that lens unless its easly to return it, too many bad copies out there.

This issue has been discussed many times.

There is no duty on photographic equipment but you pay GST+PST on the value of the import regardless if it is old or new (if you buy used, get it sent as a gift with low value if you do not want to pay much tax). Some carriers require handling fee but if you buy from B&H, the cost of UPS expedited includes everything.

I practically never buy in Canada but you have to remeber that Canadian prices on new equipment may be comparable with B&H's (they charge some premium when the product is introduced but then lower the price).
--
Michael

Yes, I paid No Duty on the photographic equip.

I agreed to pa GST+PST as if you go to Henrys.

Shipping cost does not include the UPS-robbery cost.

It is the UPS-ground that is a "Robbery", their brokage fee is about Double of one that I know.

There is no duty on photographic equipment but you pay GST+PST on the value of the import regardless if it is old or new (if you buy used, get it sent as a gift with low value if you do not want to pay much tax). Some carriers require handling fee but if you buy from B&H, the cost of UPS expedited includes everything.

I practically never buy in Canada but you have to remeber that Canadian prices on new equipment may be comparable with B&H's (they charge some premium when the product is introduced but then lower the price).

--
Michael

urophoto said:

If you live near a border town, you could always get the items shipped > there, and "accidentally" put your new equipment in with your other > camera gear as you cross the border.

Click to expand...

Not trying to get on a soapbox here but, what you are doing here is smuggling. Will you be caught? Who knows, probably not, but if you are the consequences likely start at a financial penalty on to confiscation of goods and can go up from there including your name ending up in some database for future reference.

Compared to paying the GST/PST on whatever value you establish for the goods, the risks vs savings make no sense, never mind the morality of remaining within the law. That of course is an individual choice.

I bought one two days ago. My experience - http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/314898/3

Doug Morgan said:

Note that if a company has a business office in your province they will > have to charge you PST -- I.E. ordering from Vistek AB while living in ON > won't work.

Click to expand...

Is this something recently introduced? The reason I ask is, I live in Ontario and have purchased 3 lenses on 2 separate occasions from Vistek (Alberta) over the phone. In neither case was I charged the PST. In fact, I made a point of asking the salesman if I would be charged the PST (as this was my main reason for purchasing Out-of-Province) and was told "No" in each case. He said that if I had ordered the lens Online, I would have been charged however.

Vistek should be charging you PST, and always should have. The salesperson you are ordering from probably doesn't know the rules.

Doug