Updated 2021 Info on Shipping from Japan to Canada?

[Farkvam]

Hi everyone,

I've been eyeing some good Chanel deals on eBay from Japan but was wondering what other Canadians' experiences are buying from Japan in terms of customs duty fees as of the past year or so? Do you find all packages are charged, and how much? I'm in Ontario.

Thank you in advance!

 

[plastic-fish]

Hi everyone,

I've been eyeing some good Chanel deals on eBay from Japan but was wondering what other Canadians' experiences are buying from Japan in terms of customs duty fees as of the past year or so? Do you find all packages are charged, and how much? I'm in Ontario.

Thank you in advance!

Hi there. I buy from Japan resellers and am in Alberta. If you're able to self clear your item, I would HIGHLY recommend that. The only option from Japan regarding shipping companies are couriers, DHL, etc. The problem with that is you are charged broker fees which can add hundreds to your fees, depending on the initial value of the item. If you are able to self clear through your customs office, you'll pay GST (plus HST for you) and that's it as opposed to what DHL will charge. It is a bit of a nuisance to do it but it saves a lot.

You need to call the courier, tell them you'll self clear, they'll provide you the paperwork you need. You take that to the customs office, make sure you have proof of what you paid for the item, ebay invoice is fine, and they'll give you the new amount to pay. You take that proof of payment from Canada Customs back to DHL and they'll hand your package over, easy peasy... Make sure you have photos that show your item made in France, there is no duty for those items, keeps your costs to GST/HST only.

Hope that helps...

 

[Farkvam]

Hi there. I buy from Japan resellers and am in Alberta. If you're able to self clear your item, I would HIGHLY recommend that. The only option from Japan regarding shipping companies are couriers, DHL, etc. The problem with that is you are charged broker fees which can add hundreds to your fees, depending on the initial value of the item. If you are able to self clear through your customs office, you'll pay GST (plus HST for you) and that's it as opposed to what DHL will charge. It is a bit of a nuisance to do it but it saves a lot.

You need to call the courier, tell them you'll self clear, they'll provide you the paperwork you need. You take that to the customs office, make sure you have proof of what you paid for the item, ebay invoice is fine, and they'll give you the new amount to pay. You take that proof of payment from Canada Customs back to DHL and they'll hand your package over, easy peasy... Make sure you have photos that show your item made in France, there is no duty for those items, keeps your costs to GST/HST only.

Hope that helps...

That is very helpful, thank you! I just purchased from a Japan reseller on eBay today so I'm so glad I saw your reply. I will definitely try this. I just asked the seller who the shipper is, hopefully they will get back to me.

 

[plastic-fish]

That is very helpful, thank you! I just purchased from a Japan reseller on eBay today so I'm so glad I saw your reply. I will definitely try this. I just asked the seller who the shipper is, hopefully they will get back to me.

Good luck! I'm pretty sure since COVID, Japan can only use couriers to Canada. They used to send with their local post but for whatever reason, that's no longer an option. While it's super fast with couriers, you do get charged a lot more to receive you package. Happy to help. Just make sure you do NOT accept the delivery from the courier. Once you accept, you have to pay. What I do is call them in advance, once I have my waybill or tracking number, tell them that I'm going to self clear so they know to not deliver. You can only obtain your forms once your package is in their warehouse as well. Again, good luck, you'll find it's pretty simple.

 

[Farkvam]

Again, good luck, you'll find it's pretty simple.

I hope so! I'm a bit nervous ha ha...

 

[maris.crane]

I’m also in Ontario, but been an avid shopper of Fashionphile and Etsy for vintage; so I’m used to whack customs charges.

This week, I bought a Fendi micro beaded croissant from a Japanese eBay seller (will name the seller if that is allowed!); early wee-hours Wednesday last week it was ordered and it arrived by Friday afternoon via DHL. I thought for the price (just over $1K CAD, $96 in duties from DHL) it was reasonable. I feel like Fashionphile generally charges more; and I won’t comment on the racket that is Canada Post.

The bag looked in better condition than I expected, and actually came with the original Fendi branded tissue paper; but there is a slight... moist? Underwater? Wet laundry? smell. It doesn’t bug me that much, but I have read other posters complaining about the smell of bags shipped from Japanese eBay sellers and I don’t think I’m particularly scent-sensitive.

 

[Farkvam]

I’m also in Ontario, but been an avid shopper of Fashionphile and Etsy for vintage; so I’m used to whack customs charges.

Hey thanks for your input! When you say "whack customs charges", do you mean usually high, or just all over the map?
So far the item I ordered is being charged about $330 in customs for a $3400 bag. I think that's lower than they usually charge? It's also DHL. Will keep this thread posted with how everything turns out!

 

[maris.crane]

Hey thanks for your input! When you say "whack customs charges", do you mean usually high, or just all over the map?
So far the item I ordered is being charged about $330 in customs for a $3400 bag. I think that's lower than they usually charge? It's also DHL. Will keep this thread posted with how everything turns out!

Well... to give you an example. I bought a Rasta Dior Saddle coin bag (not a purse) for $350USD and the Fendi within the week. The Saddle coin bag from FP got hit with ~$78CAD in fees via UPS; while the Fendi got hit with $95 CAD. I thought DHL did a nicer or better job over UPS!

 

[Farkvam]

Strange! Good to know!

 

[Farkvam]

I posted some of this info in another thread (the Chanel Vintage Thread) in response to someone's question but thought I'd post it here as well to update on what I had to do as a Canadian buying from Japan.

My finding was that you'll have to pay tax, duty and a brokerage fee. Sometimes the latter can be quite pricey and you'll want to choose "self clearance" for the package (see plastic-fish's post above), but my brokerage fees ended up being only $19 CAD so I didn't self clear and allowed the courier to clear and deliver the package. Taxes were 13% and duty was 15% though!

Plastic-fish mentioned that she's never had to pay duty from Japan because the item was made in France (because of am agreement called CETA), but technically the item has to also be coming from France for that to officially be exempt from duty. So she was unusually blessed lol, it depends on the officer whether they'll stick by the book, or let it be exempt from duty because it's made in France. If you self clear your package, you can be free of brokerage fees and also you can play the game and see who you get and whether they'll charge duty.

For only $19, I decided to allow DHL to clear the package and just pay the duty (and taxes). C'est la vie!
Thank you for all who shared info here!

 

[twigski]

Hi there. I buy from Japan resellers and am in Alberta. If you're able to self clear your item, I would HIGHLY recommend that. The only option from Japan regarding shipping companies are couriers, DHL, etc. The problem with that is you are charged broker fees which can add hundreds to your fees, depending on the initial value of the item. If you are able to self clear through your customs office, you'll pay GST (plus HST for you) and that's it as opposed to what DHL will charge. It is a bit of a nuisance to do it but it saves a lot.

You need to call the courier, tell them you'll self clear, they'll provide you the paperwork you need. You take that to the customs office, make sure you have proof of what you paid for the item, ebay invoice is fine, and they'll give you the new amount to pay. You take that proof of payment from Canada Customs back to DHL and they'll hand your package over, easy peasy... Make sure you have photos that show your item made in France, there is no duty for those items, keeps your costs to GST/HST only.

Hope that helps...

Hi Plastic Fish,
I am in California (not in Canada) but your post seems to be the only one that actually has some relatable info. My search online led me to a site that stated that for Japan to USA destination, any item over $800 there are two taxes and they total around 20% When you say "self clear" what is the approximate % that you are paying for the duties on your item? My worry is that if I do NOT accept, they will send it back, TIA

 

[plastic-fish]

Hi Plastic Fish,
I am in California (not in Canada) but your post seems to be the only one that actually has some relatable info. My search online led me to a site that stated that for Japan to USA destination, any item over $800 there are two taxes and they total around 20% When you say "self clear" what is the approximate % that you are paying for the duties on your item? My worry is that if I do NOT accept, they will send it back, TIA

What I paid in Canada for self clear is just what is our national sales tax, GST. I’m in a province without a provincial sales tax (PST) so I only paid 5% of the cost of the item. If you don’t accept your parcel to do your own self clear, they won’t send it back immediately. I know here in Canada if you don’t pick up an item, the post office won’t return it for two weeks. I would check your post office requirements to send back but it shouldn’t be immediate. Good luck, I’m here if your have any other questions

 

[velleity_s2]

Hi everyone and thank you for all the great info posted so far on the duties experience! I may not be in the right thread and appreciate if anyone could point me to the right place, but here goes… does anyone have experience getting a vintage bag shipped from Asia (specifically Hong Kong) to Canada and what the duties/experience on that would be like? I bought a bag that is currently being babysat by family and trying to figure out what the most cost effective way would be! Eg. If it’s vintage and made in France, does that mean it can be a lower declaration and CETA inclusive? The taxes and duties in Canada are just so high, making it really hard to stomach. Thanks in advance!