I pay through my nose in taxes... 35-40% of my income, nearly $6000 a year in property taxes... 14% retail tax on all purchases... and I get raped on any out of Canada shipments that come in...

I had three golf shirts arrive from Japan today... value of $100 Canadian total for all three. Was hit with

Duty 18% = $18.00
GST: $7.08
PST: $9.44
Handling Fee: $8.00
for a total of 42.52 or 42.52%

The other day I had a golf headcover arrive that canada customs converted to $20.32 CAD.

Duty: 1.42
GST: 1.22
PST: 1.63
Handling fee: 8.00
Total 12.27 = 60%

I am calling tomorrow to bitch about the 18% duty on my golf shirts (clearly declared as golf shirts)... talk about excessive.

Sorry had to vent cause I'm pissed.

Hi, I feel your Pain. I usualy ask for sender to disclose a value less than 60$ or write it as a gift. Oh btw, never I mean never use fedex or ups to ship inbound.

Good luck with you phone calls

Cheers anyways

Frank

That was all Canada post.... and yes declared as gifts... even the $20.32 was under $60 and they hit me for it.

That's crazy Man!!!

Call them and give them a piece of your mind (IMG:http://www.tourspecgolf.com/forum/style_emoticons/TSG_Smileys/tsg_smilie_finger2.gif)

gotta be all those taxes you pay for socialized health care you got!!

This post has been edited by Henry: Nov 26 2007, 05:19 PM

Then again the value of the shirts was really much higher than what was declared... it was more like 100 each! (^_^) but still 18%+14%+Handling fee!!!

That's part of the deal living in Canada, you take the good along with the bad. Duties on clothings is higher than golf equipment and the $8 handling would be a smaller percentage if the total value is higher. My imported average cost has been around 25% but never as high as 45%. Then again, I do not buy nearly as much as you do. I just keep taking your discards. (IMG:http://www.tourspecgolf.com/forum/style_emoticons/TSG_Smileys/atsg_smilie_roll.gif)

It's a complete rape job. I try to get things sent as a "gift" or a "warranty replacement". Give that a shot. Seems to help most of the time.
Health Care is nice, but there are better Dr.'s in the US anyway. I'm from Sask and if i want an MRI, i have to wait up to a yr for one. That's the down side to health care. No reason there shouldn't be a two tier system. If you want to pay your own way it shouldn't be a problem. Especially considering it's not taking the place of someone in line. But that just wouldn't fly with all the socialists. BRUTAL.

count your lucky stars... out here in new york city... marginal tax rate on income is as high as 45-48%....and lets not even go to property taxes....

i rather pay the duty on the golf stuff and save the 8-13% on income.....

Wow thought us guys here in hawaii were getting ripped off on shipping. After hearing your story I don't really feel that bad, in fact, I feel pretty fortunate now.

Peace!

Marginal tax rate approaching 50%??? ****!!!

Some cottage along a fjord looks better every day.

Its the way the government works man. It sucks. lol. But we got to live with it. I feel your pain.

i feel your pain as well. locally the tax on golf clubs is 1% but with all the taxes, handling etc etc. in the end it comes up to almost 3--50% of the declared value. although there is a loophole by under declaring it the government ahs grown wise about tis practice and actually have a blue book on all current value of most gear coming in. if they do not know the price they will average it out and there is no escaping. some items get to slide out but payment is the only option.

in the end the competitiveness of the item i have pruchased abroad wether new or ebay is lost by the time customs duties are paid. if i dont want to pay i usually time my purchases with arrival of friends or family from abroad. they usually will hand carry these items for me.