CPAP Noob - Questions (Importing into Canada)

[milestogo]

Hello, I'm a Canadian CPAP newbie as I just started my treatment about 2 months ago. I don't have my results with me right now but I was told I have "moderate" OSA (no central) with about 24 "events" per hour ... I forget all the other technical terms they talked about.

So, I got me an S8 Compact (bad move, should have gotten the Auto as I'm finding out reading this board but I wasn't smart enough to do this research before hand ) and got my titration done about a month ago at which point my pressure was re-adjusted to 7 (from 6)

I have been on a loaner full face mask and finding out that this is the best mask I've had because I seem to be sleeping much better than the two previous masks I've tried in the last couple months.

I have gone through 2 masks so far, one nasal mask that came with machine and a SWIFT LT nasal pillows, but need to get another one and have a few questions as the masks are not covered by Ontario health (OHIP) etc. and I don't have an insurance plan

I have seen some really good prices on the Mirag Quattro Full Face mask on line which are about half of what I'd end up paying if I went with the local supplier. I'm wondering if other Canucks have ordered these masks and other supplies online and had them shipped across the border from the States?

My question is, do customs duties apply to CPAP masks and machines etc? Because if there are charges then I might be better off buying from a local store if the diference ends up being a few bucks here and there (10-20 dollars instead of 150 dollars if no taxes are applied)...

Any information would be greatly appreciated, I am reading through this board and finding information much more useful and helpful than anything I ever got out of my sleep therapy people (or my "specialist" for that matter)... maybe mine was an isolated case...

Thanks for your help and guidance,

-M

[Julie]

Have ordered all equipment/supplies from Cpap.com and others for years with zero duty or any fees (as long as the shipper writes medical device or supplies on the package, which they do). No problems at all.

[milestogo]

Thanks Julie, much appreciated! I can now order without fear

[Hawthorne]

Ordering from cpap.com, you will get prices far far lower than paying for them at a Provider in Canada.

Cpap. com marks sales as medical items (as Julie said) and ships them via the postal service so no duty or customs. There is no tax so only exchange to consider. Shipping is by weight. They charge me $17 shipping, to London Ontario, for a mask. I often add filters, mask pillow replacements and other small items with a mask (things that won't "up" the weight) and it makes $17 a real deal.

If you deal with other online suppliers, make sure they ship via the Postal Service. If they ship by Courier you will have to pay a brokerage fee.

If you buy anything on cpapauction.com and they don't specify shipping to Canada, be sure to ask the seller if they do (many will) and ask if they will ship it via the USPS. Again, with the Postal Service there will be no customs or duty charged.

[tyropita]

Ordering from cpap.com, you will get prices far far lower than paying for them at a Provider in Canada.

Check everywhere for any given item.

I just got replacement nasal pillows for a Swift LT mask. $32.00 CAN at the local Canadian DME that sold me my Elite II. $29.95 US on cpap.com.