The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk A question for the Canadians?

I've suggested purchasing parts from several U.S. parts suppliers to some of my Canadian friends. Is there something I don't understand about you buying parts from the States and getting them delivered north of the border? Addition charges, customs checks, other hoops!! Sure would like to get the straight skinny!

Thanks in advance,

Dave

From my experience with purchases from the good ol' USA, the price you see indicated on the US catalog's will double by the time it gets to your friends door.

This doubling, factors; currency exchange rate, duties, brokerage fees and shipping cost.

Greg

I had a set of big block heads forsale a year ago. A guy from canada wanted them,when i checked prices for shipping,it was going to cost $535.00 to ship plus some added fees when the buyer picked the heads up at customs.I was'nt going through all that stuff,so i sold them to a guy in indiana.

I agree,Greg.That's about right.I live near the border,and can drive down to a mail service in Sumas or Linden,but time and costs add into that.I have found the local vendors are competitive enough to not bother with mail order stuff

Oops i'm not canadian !!!!

It really depends on who you use for shipping. UPS has a pretty bad rep for gouging us on "brokerage fees" (otherwise known as money for nuthin)

I recently bought a clutch from Jegs and it was shipped fed-Ex. Brokerage is included in their international shipping prices and is a lot more reasonable than UPS. Same clutch here at a local jobber shop was $540 cdn. My cost to my door using Jegs was $330 cdn.

So, it can be a hassle and it can be expensive but there are ways to get it done reasonably. I find scooting across the border and using a shipping addy in WA state is a pain. I get hassled at customs far more often than not. Paying a bit more for shipping is worth it for me not to have to deal with the border guys and the stupidly long line-ups at the border.

Oh yeah, for automotive stuff made in the USA their is no "duty" at all. We do have to pay sales tax on the value of the goods though.

Rene

anything that can be sent by mail is waaay cheaper than UPS or FedEx - the CDN post office charges a flat $5 for brokerage, and there should never be any customs duty on parts for vehicles over 25 years old, and certainly not used parts

also, the Canadian suppliers [Scotts Super trucks and the Old Car Centre, among others] can get most of the repro stuff for as good a price as ordering from US suppliers

Bill

What??... back the truck up a bit...NO DUTY???

Details please!

Edit by me... Bill posted faster

How can I get back all the duty I have paid for parts on my old truck?

Greg

Also the reason the parts are more expensive by the time they get here, is because suppliers doesn't update their currency exchange rate all that often.

Can't verify if it's true or not.

-shrug-

Colin, if you pay buy credit card, your only risk for exchange is the process date of the transaction with your credit provider.

Greg

That's right no duty only tax which is 7% GST plus shipping, plus money exchange.In my experience if the price is $100.00 so the door to door can be any where between $150-$200.00. So I rarely order anything that costs more than $25.00, to me it just ticks me off that so many people have their hands out along the way.A friend of mine once bought a vehicle for $1500.00 from Texas.By the time he got it to Vancouver ,BC it cost him $4500.00.The best part was that after he got it home he decided the body wasn't worth restoring and he junked the body and used it as a parts car for one he found locally for $2200.00

If you purchase something from the states and its old you won't pay duty and if you get the seller to put on the declartion say switch for repair you pay no duty or tax this is what i have been told... I'm a good canadian and i always pay my taxes. Peter

There hasn't been duty levied for many years on parts made in the USA. UPS does a fine job of ripping off Canadians when they bring parts across the border. They charge "brokerage" fees which is a thing of the past. I find that there are some items that I can only get from the US. Our truck suppliers in Canada are much smaller than the big ones in the US and so they don't tend to carry as many items. From my exposure both in the hobby and also professional purchases, I really like the way I am treated by American businesses. I can't say the same thing for Canadian businesses.

Greg - depending on the customs people that deal with parts packages, you might be charged duty for say rubber rather than 'vintage vehicle door seals' - best to always request the suppliers label the package as "vintage truck parts", tho I've found most do now

Bill

Well guys... I got ripped off on duties paid then. If what you guys claim is true...I will be sending a letter to my local MP and ask how I can get a refund!

I purchase several hundred dollars of items from the old..." Chevy Duty " and I can tell ya,....they never said "old parts" any where.

Now tell me... how did you guys get a USA supplier to say on the bill of lading, "old parts...NO DUTY!"

I buy Canadian, and as Red58 stated ,Scott's and The Old Car Centre are good for us.

I look forward to know how you guys saved some $$$.

Show me!

Greg

Man Red58...ya beat me to the trigger again

I just put a note on the order, or tell them on a phone order, and it's worked - haven't used Chevy duty

I bought some NOS panel truck rear doors from Golden State back when they were in Calif, and without me tellin them, they declared the doors as 'used vintage truck parts'

poke around here or give them a call

Bill

Thank you Bill.. 'used vintage truck parts'...key words

I will check out CBSA too...plus I have to make my local MP do something for us little guys on the Sunshine Coast. I am still going to ask for his assistance.

He will probably want me to join his "Party'

Greg

I SHOP AT GASOLINE ALLEY IN PORT COQUILAM AND THE PRICE IS WHAT WRITTEN IN THE CATILOG PLUS EXCHANGE RATE IT IS NOT WORTH THE HEAD ACHE TO PAY SHIPPING AND DUTY.

Here in Langley is Hot Rod Corner.His name is Russ Irwin.He can compete with pricing.He and the Old Car Centre often add 30% to US prices.That makes it worth while to shop here

Hey Red58...that CBSA site is brutal...can't find any office on the Coast.

I can't imagine what is going to happen when I try to contact them tomorrow via telephone...

"Hello, Bonjour.. do wish this conversation in English, hit 1 in French, hit 2..etc,etc,etc...

They really do not want to return my duty money paid
Greg

yeah Greg - I looked a bit, and things have really changed since it was Canada Customs and Revenue!

looks like the nearest office for you is Burnaby, but there's still a walkin here in Courtenay [I think], maybe I can inquire there in the morning and see if I can find any details or numbers

Bill

I am quite surprised by someone being charged duty because this is wrong. What classification did they label the product as? It doesn't have to be antique, just made in the USA and there should be no duty. This arrangement came along with "free trade". Now, normally we are charged Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and Goods and Service Tax (GST) and a handling fee but no duty. If I was importing something through the US then there could be duty.

I find the postal route is the cheapest way and I'm sure that UPS and the other shipping companies are not allowed to undercut the postal rates. It does seem to be a rip off. There is however one company that I know of out of Oakville Ontario that sells antique Chev truck parts but the prices are about the same once you get gouged by the Canadian shipping companies buying through the USA. So much for free trade eh. Bob T

Just to add to my last maybe there is a way someone can get a list posted of Canadian Chev antique Truck suppliers and the Stovebolt Page can list them with there American Suppliers as there are a lot of Canadian Stovebolters on the site. Also believe it or not a lot of the parts were made right here in Canada and shipped across to the USA and then shipped back. Bob T

bobt,
Generally this list is compiled in the "Links" area.
[please scroll to the top of this page]

However, the list does not separate suppliers by country.

Greg

You can ask a supplier to put "old truck parts" on the Customs label and they will agree. Once it gets to shipping another person will simply write "rubber, horn, etc" on that label.
I try to get everything I can from a Canadian supplier. More expensive but quicker.
My worst examples were a Chevy Master Parts Catalog from Carter. Listed at $36 minus my $5 coupon and it still came to $91.00 Canadian. It seems there is duty payable on 'catalogs' despite the fact they are vintage.
I also bought an Okie assembly from The Filling Station and was quoted $10 shipping. Because they included a catalog, the package became oversize and the shipping was $26. And again because there was a catalog, more duty.
As far as UPS or FedEx goes I avoid them like the plague. My wife ordered $19 worth of piano parts from NYC and the UPS fees were $21!
A buddy of mine back east told me that the UPS driver gave him a tip. Said to refuse the package at the door and then go to the office in person to get it and broker it yourself. Saves money although I cannot figure it out.

I was able to find this nugget after searching...
Casual Refund Program

I am going to fill out the form and mail it in.
Funny how the government uses the wording "streamlining"... they have been a real pain just trying to get this refund info.

Now, I have to remember were I filled my truck documentation :confused:

Greg

good find Greg, but note that program is for any time within one year after the date of the determination

Bill

Oooh nooo... good grief!

Man, if I didn't have bad luck or tough luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all.

Screw it... when I find my documents, I am still going to mail in the forms.

Greg

Have any of you guys tried :

http://www.billstruckshop.com/ in Courtice ,Ontario or

http://www.rrclassiccars.com in Val Caron , Onatario

I've ordered a few things from both have been very happy with service and shipping

Last year I ordered front and rear leafs from Patricks and a few other items that came via UPS in 3 boxes they charged me their "brokerage" fee of $87 PER BOX , still cheaper than Scotts though , which is only 1 1/2 hours up the road but at $625 per leaf spring it's a no-brainer really

The other answer is to have a 'good friend' in the USA to whom you can have things shipped. Then your 'good friend' ships them to you as gifts. This works well for small items or catalogs which only go free to US addresses.

I live 1/4 mile from the border and cross almost daily so I have everything shipped to my U.S address. Crossing customs is no problom since I know all the guys by there name. It sounds like you guys that don't live near the border sure have a tough time with shipping and getting ripped off with shipping prices.

With my experiences if the parts are new and have been made offshore outside of North America then you get nailed with duty doesn't matter if it's for a vintage vehicle or brand new vehicle. But if the parts are used or made in the States then they just charge you taxes.

I recently bought some fenders from Seon. I had to obtain a "Business Import Licence" from the Canadian Government in order to have the items shipped into Canada. Customs documents and brokerage fees of $ 211.

My neighbor is a transportation specialist who brings in shipments from the U.S. constantly. He was able to piggy-back the fenders onto an existing shipment for $ 250 (cash, no invoice).

So, to the original purchase price of $ 300 U.S. (about $ 365 Cdn) add $ 211 + $ 250 for a total of $ 811. Still cheaper than the $ 595.00 each that replacement fenders cost from Scott's or Iron Chief (both within 1 hour of my house).

For those Canadians here, have the person you are buying your parts from add "Annex Code 9966 applies to these parts" to the invoice. This applies to parts manufactured in the U.S. and over 25 years old. No duty is applicable to these parts.

Oh, I just bought a cab from tri5trucking in Oregon. That one, I'm going to drive down and pickup myself! I'll have to pay the $ 18.00 GST at the border!

Photo

Hey Photo...please give me a short version about this "Business Import Licence"...I do not want to try and find that item on the government's website. Or if you can find a link that would be cool.

How long is this licence valid? Is it a one time cost or do you have to renew it every year?

You Albertans are so lucky to live 1 hour away from Scott's. I like the man and his service.

Greg

Why on earth would you need a business import liscense? You're just an individual buying parts for yourself...

It sounds to me like the seller, or someone after the seller filled in the wrong form and you got taken to the cleaners.

If the parts are used, or made in the US there is no duty...no special licenses or fees either. You pay the applicable tax(s) and you're done.

UPS recently got sued and lost the class action suit against them. They were taken to task for their usurious "brokerage fees". I haven't used them recently regardless, but those fees may be greatly reduced or even completely gone now. Not only were their 'rates' the issue, but also how they'd appear at the door with their hands out while holding your stuff hostage.

As I mentioned earlier at least Fed-Ex adds their fees in up front so there are no surprises after the fact, plus their fees seemed reasonable.

Post office is a decent way to get your stuff...as long as you don't care how long it takes.

Rene

I'm 100% with Rene on this - a "Business Import License" is only required if you are a business importing restricted goods, especially firearms, but also various agricultural goods - Photos situation may have been because he was actually doing the importing himself, in absentia

I've brought in large parts that had to come truck freight, and the trucking company takes care of the "importing", with delivery to a bonded warehouse where you pick up the parts and pay the taxes, NO duties ... except their outrageous freight costs of course, and the truckers brokerage fees weren't too bad

these parts we get are for personal use and are considered as such unless you are obviously a business reselling them

Gerg, I'd question wether you actually paid duty, or just the brokerage and taxes, and if you start talking to them about a "Business Import License", I think you're gonna find yourself assessed a lot more than they already took!

Bill

Hey Rene, you are right. Using the postal system is the cheapest service around...it works out to pennies a day by the time you get the parcel

I am so upset...I may blow a gasket. :mad:

Fla54Chevy3100 has probably gone through a couple of bags of microwave popcorn reading this thread.

Greg

Man o man Bill... ya beat me to the trigger again

Bill..

You may be right...getting the Feds on the wrong side could become a horror show.

I'll go back under my crawl space to find my documents...too much crap under there.

Greg

Talking of charges, I spoke to Universal Tire in Long Beach about shipping 4 tires. They looked into shipping and to Victoria it was $165. If it were shipped to Port Angeles WA, about 20 miles as the crow flies, it was $56. Even they tried to discourage me from having them shipped here.
Another thing for us on the island, just to get across the border means taking a ferry boat trip. That alone is about $45 each way so you have to factor that all into the cost.

One more item before I go down the hole....I wasn't thinking of getting a Business Import License for me,I was curious why Photo had to get one.

Okay...goin' down the hole, bye!

Greg