FYI: Canadians, get taxes/duties refunded on imported CPAPs

[teleute]

For any Canadians who have been charged taxes/duties/etc... when importing CPAP or other medical equipment, there's a form (B2G) to request a refund:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/couri ... o-eng.html

According to the person I talked to today, you have up to 4 years to file this, so if you can produce the receipt for the equipment (to show what it is) and something showing what you paid in duties/taxes, you should be able to use this for purchases back through 2010!

A list of medical items that are considered zero-rated in regards to taxes can be found here:

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gm/4-2/4-2-e.html

Our specifically relevant section is "A supply of an artificial breathing apparatus that is specially designed for use by an individual with a respiratory disorder is zero-rated"

[cpapernewbie]

Yes... I have been refunded several times after getting charged by the Canada Post.

[BlackSpinner]

I have not been charged by Canada post for any item yet.

[teleute]

I just got charged by UPS, so figured I may as well share all the info I found just in case it had happened to others (and/or for future reference for others it may happen to in future).

[rosacer]

Thanks teleute, once I was charged and I used the sheet which comes with the box. I sent pictures to show it was used etc and they returned all the money. Here in QC the CPAPs are not included in the list of not taxable medical items

[Hawthorne]

The courier companies, like UPS, often charge you a brokerage fee. This is different that taxes or duty. It is a charge for filling out the customs paper work. I always look for US online suppliers who ship via the Postal Service. It takes longer to get here but no extra charges.

[nanwilson]

I have never been charged any taxes or fees (other than brokerage) on any of my U.S. purchases for cpap stuff.

[teleute]

I think I got charged because I had the items shipped to me at work (because I'm there during the day to receive them) so it got wrongly flagged as a commercial shipment. Regardless, we shouldn't get charged, but if it does mistakenly happen, this is how to get the money back.

[cpapernewbie]

Teleute: I always get charged, eventhough the CPAP/masks were shipped to my home address. I thought this is Canada Post mode of operation - charged first, refund later - only if the person appeal. They will not deliver the item to you unless you pay the taxes first, no argument and they refuse to listen to you even when it is listed as medical device and you also show the Goverment Zero rated tax regulation

[Hawthorne]

I've never had to pay extra taxes or anything to Canada Post for a delivery from a US online seller. I've been buying cpap stuff online for years and never paid anything IF it was delivered via the postal system. I have had to pay brokerage fees twice when an US online supplier used a courier like UPS or FedEx or whatever.

[CRMW]

I have been charged tax's a couple of times, but both times were on small orders and it wasn't worth the effort to reclaim the tax's paid. I did take it up a couple of levels with the post office and found out the front line people do not have the authority to adjust the tax payments.