any canadians order E-3 through cameta?

[E1_drew]

Hey guys, I'm long time lurker here... haven't ever posted before, but I need some help now now. Im going to upgrade my e-1 to the e-3 and as much as I want to support my local camera shop, they simply cannot come close to matching the cameta e-3 plus grip deal. I bought my e-1 and grip 2 years ago from them and it was a good experience.

But my question is, I'm living in BC right now and am wondering if I am going to get charged GST and PST at the border? They ship through USPS and I don't remember any brokerage fees...
Thanks in advance.

also... anyone know how warranty will (or wont) work?
--
You can't buy Superman's cape and fly like Superman...

 

[mxs]

Canada post will charge you PST, GST and brokerage fee (depending on the value, min. 5 bucks). USPS is the best deal as you will not get ripped off on brokerage fee like with Fedex or other courier services.

Regards,

Marek

 

[E1_drew]

Thanks. I heard there is no brokerage on dslr's? Is this true? Anyone have info on warranty?
--
You can't buy Superman's cape and fly like Superman...

 

[Batteries rus]

I have made purchases from them. Add yes you will have to pay our GST (now 5%) and your PST (whatever that may be in BC. You will also pay a fee of about $5.00 dollars for receiving the privilage of getting ripped of with the 2 taxes by our government.

Do not let Cameta ship by any private carriers because the $5.00 Canadian fee will be at least $30.00 or more depending on the value of you items.But they will pay the GST and PST and you will have to reimburse them before the hand over the items to you.

If you have to ship the cam back under warranty service it will go back to the US to get repaired.

Hope this helps.
--
Bill

 

[E1_drew]

Allright, thank you for the info.

Looks like a local purchase may be the better choice after all... at least in this case.

--
You can't buy Superman's cape and fly like Superman...

 

[GreatLaker]

Thanks. I heard there is no brokerage on dslr's? Is this true?

Brokerage is what you pay your broker for processing the paperwork to import it and collect any taxes and duties.

You mean no duty, which I think is true. You can check the tariffs here:
Cameras:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2007/01-99/ch85ne.pdf
Lenses:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2007/01-99/ch90ne.pdf

Search those documents for the words camera and lens and you should see they are duty free. The tariffs are so arcane it's really hard to know for sure

Other good links:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/startintro-e.html#P162_11770
http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

http://reviews.ebay.com/Canada-amp-USA-Import-Export-Shipping-Guide_W0QQugidZ10000000000067340

(Note that the last link refers to a $5 handling fee. That is for shipping via USPS / Canada Post. Shipping by other methods may have no brokerage fee, or may have a much higher fee... see the UPS link above or contact the shipper to be sure.)

Anyone have info on warranty?

All the Oly equipment I have purchased in Canada comes with a Worldwide Warranty from Olympus Imaging America Inc. that states "International warranty service is available under this warranty"

You do need to be careful, especially buying mail order, that it comes with the manufacturer's warranty, not a grey market product with a warranty from the seller, under a term like "USA warranty" that is intended to mislead you into believing it is a manufacturer's or distributer's warranty. Cameta is reputable and I don't think they do that, but it's always worth checking.

--
BruceMcK
http://www.pbase.com/brucemck

 

[Blak]

Another way to get around the $5 brokerage fee from Canada Post/USPS is to ship with UPS or Fedex but use their more expensive shipping options. UPS Worldwide Expedited or Fedex Priority Post (could be wrong on that name) do not charge a brokerage fee however it usually costs quite a bit more to ship although you'll get your camera within days of it being shipped.

I just ordered a bunch of stuff from B&H yesterday and I used UPS Worldwide Expedited. I'll have the order early next week and that's from New York to Edmonton.

 

[E1_drew]

for all the help.
--
You can't buy Superman's cape and fly like Superman...

 

[HarryP]

That way you only pay the 5% GST and little to no shipping.

Try:

• Henry's or Vistek in Ontario
• Simon's Camera in Montreal
• The Camera Store in Alberta

They all have websites...I did not want to put them up because of DPReview policies. With the dollar at almost par now prices should be closely adjusted.

Happy Shopping!

--
A New Olympus User!

E-3 Body
12-60 SWD Lens
FL-50R Flash

Plan to add:

50-200 SWD Lens

 

[djmitchella]

You mean no duty, which I think is true. You can check the tariffs here:

Just to make this totally clear -- you'll still pay GST/PST, but there's no extra fees on top for importing camera stuff/lenses. On the other hand, when my wife had a dress sent to her from the UK, we had to pay import tariffs on that on top of the regular sales taxes).

Taxes aside, I bought my E-1 +14-54 from Cameta way back when, and everything was just fine.

 

[E1_drew]

I also orderd my E-1 with 14-54 and grip almost 2 years ago from Cameta. I didn't remember any charges... but probably GST. Anyway, I've checked around a bit and prices aren't too bad up here, I do really like supporting the local shops who are willing to give you good service.
Again, thanks for all the help.
--
You can't buy Superman's cape and fly like Superman...