Anyone else get upset ....

[mickeys_girl]

When I go to WDW in Dec., I'll be there for 9 days, so I can only bring 750 CAD back with me, right? Well, I plan on spending more then that, so I'll have to ship some home. How does that work? Is it only outrageously expensive to get it shipped directly from the store, or is that that cost to ship it from anywhere? What if I go to a post office, or somewhere like that? I've already got 900 USD, with 6 months of saving left, so should I stick to the 750 CAD, or what? I don't want to spend more on shipping than on actual souvenears!!! Oh no, I'm so confused!!

 

[crazee4mickey]

If you personally ship items I don't think it would really be all that $$--these shipping costs on this post are for when you order something from WDW on the phone and have them ship it to your home--the shipping costs are beyond ridiculous!
Anyone out there who has had items shipped home while visiting WDW who might be able to give a better answer??

 

[pampam]

When you clear customs, coming back into Canada, they ask you how much you have to declare. They also ask if anything else is coming or being shipped home. In other words, the fact that you may not have all your things with you doesn't matter. You will still have to pay duty on it. Shipping things home will not help you avoid duty.

 

[talicskai]

I often go over my duty free limit and never "tell the truth" If you purchase clothes and wear them ~ don't include those. When I purchase things at Walmart or Target I divide the bills into two separate orders. One to claim and one not to claim. I never claim toiletries, clothes, shoes (just make sure you wear them and get the soles a bit dirty) Canada Customs has never given me a hard time but I never have booze or cigarettes either. I really don't believe they care about the little guy going to Disney for a week. I have all my receipts ready to show at customs and take off my sunglasses and look them straight in the eye. I am doing nothing wrong and never show nervousness. You should have no problems.

Teresa

 

[disney funseeker]

If you personally ship items I don't think it would really be all that $$--these shipping costs on this post are for when you order something from WDW on the phone and have them ship it to your home--the shipping costs are beyond ridiculous!
Anyone out there who has had items shipped home while visiting WDW who might be able to give a better answer??

The high shipping costs are also applicable while visiting WDW.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I really don't believe they care about the little guy going to Disney for a week. I have all my receipts ready to show at customs and take off my sunglasses and look them straight in the eye. I am doing nothing wrong and never show nervousness. You should have no problems.

Teresa

Dream on Teresa. Canada Customs will nail whomever they can find trying to get around the rules.

 

[pampam]

I cannot in all good faith try to convince someone to cheat the system. I also know, if you are caught the penalty is much more severe than just paying the duty like a good Canadian.

 

[StuartMI]

Dream on Teresa. Canada Customs will nail whomever they can find trying to get around the rules.

They're such vultures. Always reminded me of a bunch of them circling a dying animal in the middle of a desert waiting for it to kick off so they can pick it off whatever it has left on it. I'm glad I don't have to deal with them anymore.

 

[talicskai]

Dream on Teresa. Canada Customs will nail whomever they can find trying to get around the rules.

I guess you guys look guiltier than me

I have been travelling to the states to go shopping for about 20 years right up until 2 weeks ago. I have never had to pay duty and I am always over my limit. Guess I must be lucky or something.

Teresa

 

[Meagan]

They're such vultures. Always reminded me of a bunch of them circling a dying animal in the middle of a desert waiting for it to kick off so they can pick it off whatever it has left on it. I'm glad I don't have to deal with them anymore.

Yes and we're glad you don't either Stuart

Meagz

 

[Feralpeg]

Since I don't live in Canada, I admit I don't have a good understanding of this, so please understand if I say something stupid.

If you buy something at WDW and have it shipped out of the state of Florida, you don't pay sales tax. Would that help to offset the high shipping you guys have to pay?

I live 10 minutes from WDW. If it would help, I would be willing to purchase things for you and have them shipped. I just don't know if it would help you that much. If you think it would and there is something you want, please feel free to PM me.

 

[talicskai]

Since I don't live in Canada, I admit I don't have a good understanding of this, so please understand if I say something stupid.

If you buy something at WDW and have it shipped out of the state of Florida, you don't pay sales tax. Would that help to offset the high shipping you guys have to pay?

I live 10 minutes from WDW. If it would help, I would be willing to purchase things for you and have them shipped. I just don't know if it would help you that much. If you think it would and there is something you want, please feel free to PM me.

Oh my gosh - you are soooo kind - if I think of anything I wish I had bought I will PM you ~ I know I love that hand exfoliating brown sugar cream at Basin in DTD but I wouldn't trust a courier not to break the jar!

Thanks for the offer.........Teresa

 

[StuartMI]

If you want one better, not to try to "upsize" the last poster, but you can ship whatever you like to me here in Michigan, and then I'll mail it out of St. Catharines next time I'm up which is currently set for Canada Day weekend.

 

[CharlesTD]

I just ship things to my sister in PA and she brings it home with her when she comes home from school so Ferelpeg I may get you to pick up some stuff for me and sent it to her in Camp Hill PA. I have a few things I wanted to get while we were there last week but I didn't get away from the family to grab them. Do you have a pay pal account if so I will send you a list and pay pal you the money.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I guess you guys look guiltier than me

I have been travelling to the states to go shopping for about 20 years right up until 2 weeks ago. I have never had to pay duty and I am always over my limit. Guess I must be lucky or something.

Teresa

Canada Customs (or whatever name they operate under this week) has gone through several phases over the years as to how they deal with Canadians returning from shopping trips to the USA.

Exactly 16 years ago this past week I crossed the border at the Peace Bridge in Ft. Erie with the sole intention of purchasing a bottle of champagne for my university graduation celebrations. It was about midnight -- the duty free store was open and I bought the wine, pulled the U-Turn and headed home. Canada Customs waved me through with a big smile even though the answer to "How long have you been gone, sir?" was "Twelve Minutes" (I had the stopwatch going) and I waved the bottle of champagne in the border guard's face when he asked if I had bought or received anything while in the US.

Compare this to 5 years later when I was pulled over for secondary inspection because I declared a pair of blue jeans bought at Wal-Mart. Two guards carefully inspected my trunk and luggage and debated whether I should pay duty on the $15 blue jeans.

 

[Feralpeg]

I just ship things to my sister in PA and she brings it home with her when she comes home from school so Ferelpeg I may get you to pick up some stuff for me and sent it to her in Camp Hill PA. I have a few things I wanted to get while we were there last week but I didn't get away from the family to grab them. Do you have a pay pal account if so I will send you a list and pay pal you the money.

Yes, I do. Just PM me when you are ready.

 

[SnowWhite]

In my lifetime I have crossed the border over 200 times, and I am 32. I have yet to pay duty on items purchased. My wife and I go across Niagara 4-5 times per year and do clothes shopping etc at Military rd outlets and such and usually declare almost everything we buy. Once last fall (sept) we were asked to pay duty by the customs agent at the booth. I walked inside and waited my turn, I was happy to pay duty on my items, as they were such a good deal I was still going to be in money. The inside agent asked me what I spent 120 US dollars on, I told him kids clothes and a shirt for me. He ripped up the duty slip and told me to drive safely home. I have only once been searched by a customs agent and I did not have anything that time. I declared a six-pack of cherry coke(the old REAL cherry coke, before they brought it back to Canada) and a bag of chips. We got searched and of course they found nothing as I had nothing else. Sometimes they give you a hard time just depending on what the flavour of the week is (sister's friend is a customs agent (ambassador bridge) and he told me they have different things they look for everyweek). If they catch you lying though, be prepared to be searched everytime you cross back into Canada as they don't take kindly to that.


Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

 

[bunnyfoo]

Wow! That's really generous of you FeralPeg and StuartMI Shipping to Canada is already pretty expensive but then you add on brokerage fees from courier companies like UPS ...

FeralPeg -- That's a really nice gift basket Are you still making them?

 

[StuartMI]

Wow! That's really generous of you FeralPeg and StuartMI Shipping to Canada is already pretty expensive but then you add on brokerage fees from courier companies like UPS ...

Yeah it's not cheap. Depending on what the stuff is, though, it's easy to say its for personal use. We bring stuff over for people all the time. Mind you, most of the time it's within our "gift exemption" limits. The only time I've ever had something shipping and paid duty on it when I brought it up was a computer system. Anyway, the offer is open for anyone. Well, almost anyone. PM me if you want.