Import VAT woes from the USA

[Rufusdog]

Wish I knew what the threshold really was here in Ontario Canada for having to pay the 13% HST on imported goods. I just had two items shipped USPS from the US. One item I had to pay the HST on and the second which was a repair and the repair cost was more than the purchase price of item one came through no HST owing. I have to admit though that customs has been pretty good and most come through without owing HST or import duties owing.

You bring up a good point about health care. Our system is not as inclusive as the NHS but I know I rather pay more taxes and just present my card at the hospital to be treated.

Bob

Bob, I find in general that if items are sent to me by FirstClass Mail I don't get dinged with HST. On the other hand, if an item is sent Priority Mail, or something similar, I usually get dinged.

I agree with you absolutely about OHIP. I worked in the USA for 10 years and had to experience the pitfalls and mayhem of their health care system on several occasions. It would be nice if OHIP also covered prescription drugs as most of the other national plans, such as the NHS, do. I heard a news report this morning saying that of 9 wealthy countries with national insurance only Canada does not cover prescription drugs and we have the second highest drugs cost after Switzerland. NB, we risk straying into politics if we go much further with this discussion

 

[LeeBot]

I can see where you're coming from on the Example 1 and you are correct, but Example two will include the postage cost in the VAT calculation, a real bummer but it is in the small print.
I questioned the amount on a ATT head I had bought as the VAT was more than it should have been. I was informed that the postage was included in the VAT calculation but not the handling fee and it worked out correct.

That's the point I was making. You would be charged VAT on the item and postage in Example 2 even though the total amount for the transaction before VAT is less than Example 1.

 

[R181]

Bob, I find in general that if items are sent to me by FirstClass Mail I don't get dinged with HST. On the other hand, if an item is sent Priority Mail, or something similar, I usually get dinged.

I agree with you absolutely about OHIP. I worked in the USA for 10 years and had to experience the pitfalls and mayhem of their health care system on several occasions. It would be nice if OHIP also covered prescription drugs as most of the other national plans, such as the NHS, do. I heard a news report this morning saying that of 9 wealthy countries with national insurance only Canada does not cover prescription drugs and we have the second highest drugs cost after Switzerland. NB, we risk straying into politics if we go much further with this discussion

Yes, I think you are correct in thinking that it depends on how it is shipped via USPS if it gets dinged or not. OTH both the items I mentioned were shipped Priority Mail with one getting dinged and the other not. Go figure.

Yes, there are too many horror stories of Canadians foolish enough not to carry private health insure when travelling in the USA and having a medical emergency. OHIP only covers the cost of treatment to the amount such services are costed at in Canada with the individual on the hook for the difference. That difference is usually huge too as in remortgage your home to pay for it.

Yes too, on the need to add prescription drugs to the national health care plan. I believe they are trying to get serious about that now

Bob

 

[Redrooster]

I seafish of high cliffs 'rocks etc so i use the big Australian alvey fishing reels so i buy direct from ozz guy in shop lables them spare parts so ive missed the fees a couple of times got stung by parcel force for 25 quid for handling etc once.But even then buying reels from ozz is still cheaper than buying them from a uk dealer.crooks.sammy.

 

[matteob]

You could do well with a UK shipping service. The Royal Mail ransom really gets me though. I think it is a total piss take. I have had fountain pens come from Japan and India and not been stung but from the US I have been several times. I think it maybe is because customs can't be bothered to convert from Yen/Rupees I suppose. And US sellers are oh so homest on their declarations!