Customs Tax

I'm planning on getting a Sager NP2090 ASAP, but like many other Canadians have to deal with customs tax. I plan on ordering from www.xoticpc.com and am wondering what experiences people have had with customs, and ways to avoid it (I've sometimes read that FedEx, when you specifically request that service, won't charge customs, or if you fly it in express). If I had to pay any more for that amazingly priced machine it will go over my budget and I'll be stuck without a Sager . So, what's the best way to save money on USA to Canada shipping?

 

There any Canadian Sager resellers? like Eurocom? (DAYUM they're really expensive)

 

Yeah, and I tried looking for a while and don't think they are even selling the newer models. www.xoticpc.com and www.discountlaptops.com are the two sites with equally low prices to www.powernotebooks.com that ship to Canada. There is an option on xoticpc (under shipping) that says:
Canada UPS Ground
3-6 days with normal customs clearance......$57.00

Does this mean that is the entire fee? No surprise fees? I don't like extra fees. If anyone knows this, or other ways to dodge customs please help. Ty

 

Man, check with Eurocom. Not to steal any business from xotic (they seem to be very nice), but for Canadians Eurocom is the way to go.

But, like always, my word of advice. Their web price is 20 to 25% too high, depending on models. So get a configuration from your lowest reseller, just add currency conversion and send them an email. They will price match. Garantee.

Eurocom is a clevo reseller for as long as I remember seeing my first one 10 years ago. I never had a problem with them, but I don't know if they are busy right now taking orders for the new models, but getting a good price on an accessory was a bit hard.

They exchange my ODD in no time and they paid for shipping both ways.

My 5760 is going strong, after a year of intensive use (it's also my work machine). I carry it all week-days.

You just won't get the fancy treatment though (like AS5 compound, or paintjob). They target the businesses I think.

Edit:
Watch out - @ 57$ I clearly doubt you'll have no fees. Expect to pay around 35-40$ in broker fees and more importantly - BOTH TAXES!... I just can't strand UPS for cross-border shipping. There are ALWAYS hidden fees...

And not to be cruel, but they say "normal customs clearance", which would probably not happend with a 3000$ piece of electronic. Either carrier you choose you will pay the taxes on 3000$. Usually they don't bother for 50$ and under .

Hypersonic did cover the broker when I checked last year, but they were charging more than 100$ to ship to Montreal.

Eurocom will charge 35$ to ship in Canada and will charge only the GST if you're outside Ontario.

Edit2:
About the newer models, the D900C is up and shipping and the 570RU should be shipping soon...

 

Eurocom isn't selling the new models right now .

 

mmm, The Phantom D900C is the beast and you can order from the Showroom...

The 570RU is not shipping until July... If i'm not mistaken, all what you can do right now for the RU is pre-order... Maybe that's why it's not showing on the Showroom. But i'm sure if you want to pre-order one the sales dept will be glad to input it by email

What model are you interested in?

 

Ask xopticpc to put in the shipping box saying warranty replacement then they won't charge customs

 

I'm going for the NP2090 @ $1122, its the basic model without anything added on. That's pretty much right at my budget limit. I'm going to email them and ask about the M570RU and a price match to xoticpc. That would be easiest, but if not then I still need to find a way to avoid customs. Or I could simply wait for Eurocom to sell it (how long will it take), and price match (if they do that).

Lol, I wish. I'm pretty sure they charge you for customs anyways even on warranty replacements. What do these people have against canadians anyways?!!?!

 

don't you have any family in usa? if so get it shipped there, then ask them to ship it to you with no invoice in the box or declare the value to very little. No not if it says warranty replacement they don't Balzar from here shipped dell xps m1710 and said warranty replacement and no customs.

 

I can go to the family in the US as a last resort (they aren't close family, they are relatives of my relatives...). It seems that best option would be to wait for Eurocom to sell it, which I assume will be soon and pricematch. Anyone know if they pricematch? Also, any other ideas unrelated will still help a lot (ie. any info on fedex, or other couriers and whether they charge customs).

edit: Haha! I emailed Eurocom asking about a 15.4" DX10 Santa Rosa laptop and they replied saying they were releasing one mid-July. Hopefully it will one that can easily be pricematched, which I'm pretty sure they do, and then all will be well. Only problem is I'm gone all of July and beginning of August, so the wait is bit logner. I hope the wait is worth it for an improved computer (as opposed to just getting Inspiron 1520 now). Anyways, thanks for all the help.

 

I say goto your relatives open it there and bring back everything except packaging material.

 

That seems a bit much. I'm not so commited that I'm going to jump on a plane or drive there just to get the laptop. If anything I'd have it shipped there, and then have them mail it. There is hopefully a much easier way to avoid customs.

 

If the package is sent as "Gift" do you have to pay Taxes? haha I work in a Logistic and I don't know sh!t

 

By the sounds of things, you're confusing customs/duties (sic taxes payable to the government) and brokerage fees (fee charged by a company for taking care of the paperwork to bring in whatever you're importing). I don't have much experience using UPS and no experience importing computers from the US, but here's what I can tell you:

- Generally speaking importing via courier will result in brokerage fees, duties, and overall higher shipping costs than purchasing domestically
- Brokerage fees and duties are pretty much always charged (if applicable) when using couriers but sometimes will not be charged when items are shipped via the postal system.
- Brokerage fees are highly variable when importing especially via ground from the US. UPS's brokerage fee schedule can be found here. The most reasonable fees are charged by CanadaPost (~$7.50 IIRC) and similar fees are charged by DHL and FedEx for air shipments (not completely sure about FedEx; I haven't had anything shipped by them for a couple of years now). FedEx Ground supposedly has entry prep fees similar to UPS Ground's. I don't usually have items shipped via EMS so I don't remember what their (PBB's) brokerage fees are like; those packages are usually delivered via Purolator in country and the bill is often sent afterwards rather than being collected at the door.
- IIRC, the max value for gifts that can enter duty-free into Canada is $60 (not including certain items like cigarettes); commercial items--$20. Many vendors will not label items as gifts for commercial items as doing so is illegal
- items returning from warranty repair are usually not subject to duties, provided that the package is clearly labelled as such (you already paid them initially), but are not guaranteed to be exempt. Brokerage fees may sometimes be charged even though duties are not. (UPS supposedly has been guilty of this one with ground shipments.)
- I don't know if used items are subject to duties on import.

From what I understand, for a system under $1250 CAD shipped via UPS ground, you'll pay at least $61.58 entry prep, $5.85 dispensation fee (for UPS to pay your duties for you), and $4.25 C.O.D. fee along with duties equivalent to GST and PST. If you upgrade to UPS Express, the entry prep fee should be waived, but the rest will still be charged if you pay upon delivery. I believe you can avoid the COD charge by paying the outstanding duties and brokerage fees while the package is in transit once you get your tracking number but am not sure--I've never done that before. I don't know if there are any other brokerage fees beyond those mentioned above as I have no idea about the line fees that are mentioned on the schedule.

Quite frankly, if you're on a tight budget and looking to avoid paying taxes, your best bet is to buy domestically and out of province so you can avoid PST (I don't think this is possible for HST provinces). You won't be able to avoid GST though (this probably won't work with large companies). Shipping is often cheaper when buying domestically, too. If you really want to import... you'll want to weigh the different options and the different costs involved with each carefully.

Otherwise... isn't the 570RU a 17" Clevo? I'm not completely sure since I've been concentrating on 15.4" systems (and smaller).

 

Wow. Thanks for the info. Seems like it's best if I wait for the Canadian site Eurocom to start selling it. Although you're right, the NP2090 isn't the M570RU. I'm not sure what the model is, or if it even is a Clevo (it might be Compal).

Anyways, if I'm understanding this correctly, if I wanted to ship via UPS ground there would be that prep fee, dispensation fee, and COD (is that it?). Does the prep fee cover brokerage? It seems that according to their site it does. And also, when upgrading to express and the entry prep is waived does that mean no brokerage, or is that fee placed somehwere else? Another thing is that when ordering from a site like xoticpc they already have shipping options on their page (such as UPS ground, UPS express), and I'm not sure how that fits in. Is that the actual shipping fee, then I also have to pay UPS for entry prep, COD and dispensation? So I guess would my best option (f I were to order from US) would be the UPS express option on the xoticpc site for $87? Assuming that entry prep covers brokerage, and express waives entry prep? (feel free to correct if any of this is wrong

I realize my best option is domestic, but if the NP2090 is a compal I'm not sure if Eurocom will carry it, as they carry Clevos, but what do I know...Also, I can be a bit flexible if it's only shipping that I'm paying. So if it comes out to under 100$ for all of the shipping then it's fine, it just means that I won't be able to upgrade the RAM when I get it for a while (which is what my plan was).

 

To wizzwizz,
Maybe this will make you feel less bad:
Im in the same situation, well not exactly, I think mine is worse, lol!
International shipping for me is like US$223,= and im not sure if that is all included or not (waiting for xoticpc to reply).

So the notebook will cost me like 1950 + 223 = ~ US$2173 something?

 

I doubt Eurocom will start selling Compal, and Google couldn't find any canadian distros . But there must be something in the Clevo lineup that can suit your needs...

I sincerely doubt you'll come under 100$ . You also have to take into consideration all the troubles you'll get for warranty/replacements. You'll often have to pay shipping both ways, get trough customs again... Believe me, my collegue bought from Hypersonic and it's a PITA. Plus IMO this Compal, to be so cheap, is probably a bit cheap. So I would honnestly expect replacement of parts in the 3 next years ...

You won't save much, believe me .

 

I'm still going to try and see if I can ship to relatives, and have them mail it or something. If not it looks like I'll still be getting an Inspiron 1520 (same price, so much less awesomeness). Lol...This could not have turned out worse, I found the perfect notebook, right in my budget, but shipping will be too much of a hassle, then I thought everything was solved with Eurocom and incredibly cheap shipping, but nooooo. Although I'm still holding onto my hope that someone has a magical solution.

 

The prep fee, disp fee and COD are the minimum brokerage fees that will be charged. As I mentioned, I don't know if there are any additional line fees as I'm not sure how that part works. You will also have to pay duties which are the equivalent of GST and PST. The prep fee is a brokerage fee and probably the one that catches most people off-guard when using UPS ground from the US. I'd suggest reading UPS's fee schedule as it'll outline things more clearly.

"No brokerage" is a bit misleading as you'll still owe the disp. fee and COD at least. There may be other extra fees as well. As I said, I've never imported a computer before and almost never use UPS so I don't have much experience with their shenanigans.

That's right, the shipping costs listed will be literally just that--shipping. Brokerage and duties will be due upon arrival. Express would be the better option since you save >$60 in brokerage fees for $30 more in shipping costs and you get faster service too.

I really doubt you'll get all the fees under $100, especially if duties are to be covered by that. If you're not including duties with the shipping/brokerage fees, then you might be able to squeak under the limit, but I'd always suggest expecting the worst and being prepared for further hidden fees with UPS.

Depending on when you need the laptop, you could try waiting and seeing which of the Canadian shops decide to carry the IFL90. NCIX, Genitech Computers, and MilestonePC all carried the HEL80--the predecessor to the IFL90 if you will. (So did VoodooPC if I understand correctly, but their pricing is... bemusing.) I'm not sure, but I have heard that MDG used the HEL80 as well, so perhaps they will have the IFL90 eventually as well. Right now, the IFL90 is too new so it's hard to say for certain who will carry it once it's readily available.

...Hmm, someone just mentioned the FL90 at NCIX, so you might want to take a look and keep an eye on them for details. You'll have to do a search for Compal or similar there. (Processor might be hard to find in Canada right now though.)

 

how far are you closest relatives?

 

I'm in Toronto, they are in Boston, but that's not a realistic option for me. I emailed Eurocom about future DX10 15.4" laptops and they said "We will be releasing one (15.4" Santa Rosa, DX10) mid July", when I asked for more details they said "Not at this time but I suspect in a week the web site will be updated". So considering that they do price match, this seems like it could fit my budget somehow ($1350 CAD).

 

just tell the to configure on xoticpc then convery the currency to cdn using xe.com. If that don't price match that then they are lame.

 

Yoh! I was looking into EUROCOM and noticed that the clevo570ru is up for selling (probably preorder). I also noticed that you can select the nvidia 8700 with 512. Honestly, I still don't know if you should go with that card compared to the 7950gtx. Not much is know about the 8700.
Anyhow If you're canadian it probably is a good idea to go for something like eurocom. And P_boucher you plug eurocom too much hehehe

 

That's the 17" model which is too big and heavy and expensive even if I were to pricematch (anything that can double as a riot shield is not what I call portable). You can see on Eurocom under their 'future' section they have the clevo M548R listed, which is the new 14.1" Santa Rosa DX10. Also as I mentioned before a support staff let me know that the 15.1" model was being put up on site soon, and being released mid-july. I'm not sure how it would be the IFL90/NP2090 since neither are Clevo. It'll be interesting to see what the 15.1" notebook is (hopefully something 'pricematchable') The 14.1" M548R is Clevo, and I'm probably gonna take a look at it once price and specs are released (I don't think it has the 8600M GT so it's less likely I'll get it). I just emailed Clevo asking about a 15.1" model. Hopefully I can get some details for us beer-drenched, hockey-playing, igloo-living Canucks (who wan't Clevo).

 

Yeah I know ... If only they knew it maybe I would get some sort of comission ... BUT just to reassure you I'm in the process of ordering the HDD bracket from xotic because looks like Eurocom don't give a damn for 25$ piece of equipement (oh sorry, they want 60$)... Though last time I was able to get the 2nd battery in a record time...

Anyways... In the end why bother importing when you can buy locally. That said if what you want is available.

@Wizz
Patience my friend. Having it sent by relatives is not a warranty of no taxes/broker fees, believe me... I went that way for 1 100$ order from Kensignton and I paid both... I saw some threads comparing the Compal to an ASUS though...

 

For sure! I'm either getting a Eurocom version of NP2090, or w/e 15.1" DX10 Santa Rosa laptop they have ONLY if it's pricematched, or I'll settle with a little less powerful Inspiron 1520. After all of your guys advice and info, it's obvious that anyone shipping Us<->Canada is going to get hit with extra fees, that unless you really know a lot about shipping, the average consumer won't know about. No point getting it cheap, and then having all the added fees making it not worth it anymore. And this probably goes for most Canadians in a similar situation. Anyways, thanks to everyones help, I've pretty much come to that resolution.