To Canadians Re- Customs on equipment

[pianomagoo]

I ordered the spo7500 with software from world surgical.com in Brooklyn NY. It was priced at 459.00 with software. (free shipping in the states). Shipping to Ontario cost 98.00 including customs. Now my purchase has gone to 550. 00

This is scaring me now as I also just purchased the sandman and software at a cost of twice as much. I hope this doesn't mean I am going to be paying 300 in customs???

Then again, if I do have to I will probably not order again even though it probably still comes out less than purchasing in Canada, because if something goes wrong and it has to be sent to the states you still have to pay customs on repair, just a little less.

I went on the Rev Canada and Customs website and apparantly the reason for charging the custom is to keep people paying the skyhigh prices in Canada. If they can't get you one way, looks like they will get you another?

I'm really hoping some other Canadians who have purchased from the US will let me know I am wrong.

The card reader and software I purchased from cpap.com I believe, if I remember correctly, didn't have customs? But when I returned the reader to Australia and was sent a copy of the updated 3.5 version o rescan software, I had to pay customs 36.00.

It's going to take me longer than expected to pay of my credit card.

I wanted to buy the spo7500 and software at cpap.com but they didn't have it.

Let's hear from you canadians regarding your US purchases, customs or not? How much custom on the 100.00Anne

[Hawthorne]

I bought a machine with humidifier, software and reader online from the US. I have also purchased several masks and other cpap supplies online from the US and have never paid any customs or duty. These items are marked or coded as "Medical Equipment" so there is no customs or duty.

Sometimes, I have heard, it gets messed up at the border and customs and duty are charged. That has never happened to me and, as I said, I've bought a bunch of cpap stuff online.

[sharon1965]

so far i've only purchased interfaces from cpap.com, but i've never paid a dime extra

[freepostg]

When ordering from the U.S and having items shipped to a border store for pickup-(on the U.S. side, I always bring my prescription just in case. When crossing the border, I have never been charged any duty or taxes - GST or PSt. They are well aware that all medical equipment and the like is free from any taxes and/or duty. I'm never worried and neither should you be. Hope this helps.

[pianomagoo]

I bought a machine with humidifier, software and reader online from the US. I have also purchased several masks and other cpap supplies online from the US and have never paid any customs or duty. These items are marked or coded as "Medical Equipment" so there is no customs or duty.

Sometimes, I have heard, it gets messed up at the border and customs and duty are charged. That has never happened to me and, as I said, I've bought a bunch of cpap stuff online.

Hawthorne and Sharon,

Thank you, for posting.

I am beginning to feel more hopeful now with cpap.com, at least. I asked the place I ordered from in Brooklyn NY to put medical equipment on the parcel but don't know if they did that. They emailed me the cost of customs and shipping. I don't know what they charge for shipping but cpap.com is only charging 17.00 for a much heaver parcel.

I am going to see if I can find out from customs why this is happening.

Again thank you both for your input.

Anne

[pianomagoo]

When ordering from the U.S and having items shipped to a border store for pickup-(on the U.S. side, I always bring my prescription just in case. When crossing the border, I have never been charged any duty or taxes - GST or PSt. They are well aware that all medical equipment and the like is free from any taxes and/or duty. I'm never worried and neither should you be. Hope this helps.

freepostg,

Thanks for posting. I think I am going to email them back and let them know that if they did as I asked, and wrote medical equipment on the parcel then I shouldn't have to pay customs. I want to know from them why I have been billed for customs. I will ask them what they charge for shipping and let them know that for such a small parcel cost should be under 20.00 as cpap.com only charges 17 for a parcel much larger.

I am also going to try to contact DHL the shipping company they are using to find out what shipping cost should be without customs.

Anne

[freepostg]

freepostg,

Thanks for posting. I think I am going to email them back and let them know that if they did as I asked, and wrote medical equipment on the parcel then I shouldn't have to pay customs. I want to know from them why I have been billed for customs. I will ask them what they charge for shipping and let them know that for such a small parcel cost should be under 20.00 as cpap.com only charges 17 for a parcel much larger.

I am also going to try to contact DHL the shipping company they are using to find out what shipping cost should be without customs.

Anne

One thing I had neglected to say and I don't know whether this applies to you Anne however, I've learned through my many ebay purchases is that when items are shipped from the U.S. to Ontario by UPS, UPS will automatically charge a standard brokerage fee of around $20-25 and up. This is a min. charge for items valued more than $20.00. I have therefore requested sellers to either ship usps or again, have them ship to a minnesota address just over the border which is probably 35 min from where I live in Thunder Bay.

[birdshell]

First of all, I'm not a Canadian but I grew up on the watery border of Michigan and Ontario.

I am puzzled as to why the company from whom you have ordered the equipment is charging you customs? Surely, they would know that this is medical equipment and should be willing to do the simple action of putting "medical equipment" on the package.

I know that this is a problem, and have myself driven to Canada to mail letters that I wanted to arrive faster to their destination than going through two countries' procedures. I wish you all the best, but remain mystified at the company being so uninformed.

Karen,
Who doesn't mess with the border patrol

[pianomagoo]

First of all, I'm not a Canadian but I grew up on the watery border of Michigan and Ontario.

I am puzzled as to why the company from whom you have ordered the equipment is charging you customs? Surely, they would know that this is medical equipment and should be willing to do the simple action of putting "medical equipment" on the package.

I know that this is a problem, and have myself driven to Canada to mail letters that I wanted to arrive faster to their destination than going through two countries' procedures. I wish you all the best, but remain mystified at the company being so uninformed.

Karen,
Who doesn't mess with the border patrol

Hi Karen,

I just finished emailing the company which is worldwide surgical equipment in Brookly NY.

I sent them a copy of a previous email requesting the parcel to be labelled medical equipment so I wouldn't have to pay customs. After I sent the first email requesting the parcel be labelled medical equipment they email back with the 98.00 extra cost of shipping and customs.

When I emailed them a few minutes ago, with a copy of the previous email I stated that I had specifically requested that they label the parcel medical equipment so they should not be charging me for customs. I let them know that I heard from several people on a cpap forum from Canada who order medical equipment from the US and they have not had to pay customs because the dealer sends the orders marked medical equipment and sent via Canada Post. Therefore, I expect to see the customs amount removed from my credit card and the shipping charge not to amount more than 20.00 max as cpap.com only charges 17.00 for a parcel much smaller and much lighter. I told them I will be contacting DHL, the shipping company they chose to find out what they charge for shipping and to see if they are charging custom when they shouldn't be.

Why can't people just be honest? I wish cpap.com had been selling the recording spo oximeters.

I guess I will see how it goes. I am encouraged by the posts regarding cpap.com. UPS was the one that charged me the last time. I am going to call them again also to find out why they are charging customs for medical equipment.

Thanks for posting.

Anne

[pianomagoo]

First of all, I'm not a Canadian but I grew up on the watery border of Michigan and Ontario.

I am puzzled as to why the company from whom you have ordered the equipment is charging you customs? Surely, they would know that this is medical equipment and should be willing to do the simple action of putting "medical equipment" on the package.

I know that this is a problem, and have myself driven to Canada to mail letters that I wanted to arrive faster to their destination than going through two countries' procedures. I wish you all the best, but remain mystified at the company being so uninformed.

Karen,
Who doesn't mess with the border patrol

Hi Karen,

I just finished emailing the company which is worldwide surgical equipment in Brookly NY.

I sent them a copy of a previous email requesting the parcel to be labelled medical equipment so I wouldn't have to pay customs. After I sent the first email requesting the parcel be labelled medical equipment they email back with the 98.00 extra cost of shipping and customs.

When I emailed them a few minutes ago, with a copy of the previous email I stated that I had specifically requested that they label the parcel medical equipment so they should not be charging me for customs. I let them know that I heard from several people on a cpap forum from Canada who order medical equipment from the US and they have not had to pay customs because the dealer sends the orders marked medical equipment and sent via Canada Post. Therefore, I expect to see the customs amount removed from my credit card and the shipping charge not to amount more than 20.00 max as cpap.com only charges 17.00 for a parcel much smaller and much lighter. I told them I will be contacting DHL, the shipping company they chose to find out what they charge for shipping and to see if they are charging custom when they shouldn't be.

Why can't people just be honest? I wish cpap.com had been selling the recording spo oximeters.

I guess I will see how it goes. I am encouraged by the posts regarding cpap.com. UPS was the one that charged me the last time. I am going to call them again also to find out why they are charging customs for medical equipment.

Thanks for posting.

Anne

I cancelled that order as after I emailed them regarding not having to pay customs, they now say the 98.00 is for shipping costs. Earlier it was for both customs and shipping.

They emailed back to ask if I wanted to proceed with the order. I just said no, not at that cost. Please remove the charges from my credit card.

Anne
Now I have to find another company that sells the spo7500 with software that ships through Canada Post and labels parcel as medical equipment. USP charges custom.

[Hawthorne]

I was assuming that your item was shipped via United States Postal Service. If it was shipped via a Courier Company, they will charge a Brokerage fee to bring a parcel across the border. You said DHL was shipping it - that, I think, is a courier company. With the United States Postal Service there is usually no problem.
If I am dealing with an online supplier, I always check to see that they are sending it via the postal service. It can come via First Class International mail, Priority International Mail or, I think, Parcel Post but it MUST be via the postal service. With other carriers, there is the chance of Brokerage fees.

[pianomagoo]

I was assuming that your item was shipped via United States Postal Service. If it was shipped via a Courier Company, they will charge a Brokerage fee to bring a parcel across the border. You said DHL was shipping it - that, I think, is a courier company. With the United States Postal Service there is usually no problem.
If I am dealing with an online supplier, I always check to see that they are sending it via the postal service. It can come via First Class International mail, Priority International Mail or, I think, Parcel Post but it MUST be via the postal service. With other carriers, there is the chance of Brokerage fees.

Thanks for this information, Hawthorne.

When I place the order with worldwidesurgical.com it didn't show any shipping options. I will make sure I check shipping options though, in the future with any online dealer. Appreciate the info.

Anne

[5aces]

The card reader and software I purchased from cpap.com I believe, if I remember correctly, didn't have customs? But when I returned the reader to Australia and was sent a copy of the updated 3.5 version o rescan software, I had to pay customs 36.00.

On a side note,where did your ResScan Reader and 3.5 software come from? Australia?
I could only find the software at thecpapshop.com @ $175.00USD
ResScan Reader was $61.95 and ResScan DataCard was $12.50 @ cpapusa.com
Both of these originate in U.S.A.
I don't understand the duty on a CD,was it bundled with the reader?...and am interested in getting these items.

[pianomagoo]

The card reader and software I purchased from cpap.com I believe, if I remember correctly, didn't have customs? But when I returned the reader to Australia and was sent a copy of the updated 3.5 version o rescan software, I had to pay customs 36.00.

On a side note,where did your ResScan Reader and 3.5 software come from? Australia?
I could only find the software at thecpapshop.com @ $175.00USD
ResScan Reader was $61.95 and ResScan DataCard was $12.50 @ cpapusa.com
Both of these originate in U.S.A.
I don't understand the duty on a CD,was it bundled with the reader?...and am interested in getting these items.

5aces,

I think it is how they ship. cpap.com ships to Canadians via Canada Post and parcel is marked medical so there is no tax or customs. That's why we trust cpap.com. I don't know who else does this.

When Resmed in Australia sent me the software and cardreader it didn't come Canada Post but arrived via UPS. I believe they must have sent it airmail first because it came pretty fast. Because it was delivered to my door via UPS I was charged 36.00 for customs. I told them it was medical equipment but they said it didn't matter.

Lesson learned, I will shop at cpap.com whenever they have what I am looking for. Unfortunately there are occasions when they may not carry something you want, such as a recording oximeter so you have to take your chances somewhere else.

A guy from the forum named Gerald gave me a Canadian? web site calleld Turner Medical. Their prices are American so maybe I'm wrong. I'll recheck it another time.

I just received my new sandand auto and sandman therapy software with no taxes and no customs. cpap.com is pretty good and it is the only site I'm sure I can trust although I have only tried a few.

Anne

[Hawthorne]

Turner Medical is a American Company too. I referred to it on your other thread about Customs etc. Check what I posted there.