NAFTA is a joke, and the brokerage outfits are worse. If for example you
ship by UPS, you pay big time for them to fill out the form and to put a
zero in the duty column. You still have to pay GST (federal tax) on
anything coming in, and here in BC, you pay PST (provincial) as well.

You can't get around paying GST. But if you are a business (and have a
business number) you can just pay the GST and not the PST if its business
related. If you can, the way to do it is to have your items shipped to a
place just on the US side of the border, and drive down and get clear them
through customs yourself, and pay the duty (usually very little) and GST at
the counter. Depending on where you cross the customs guys vary from very
helpful to mildly hostile when it comes to help filling out forms. If its
personal, they'll do it for you. Make sure you know (and can prove) where
the item was made. If its commercial, forget it, they won't help you. If
its just for the occasioal package, or you live too far from the border, you
just have to grit your teeth and pay the customs brokers.

One thing though- you don't HAVE to hire a customs broker, but for all the
aggravation it saves for the occasional shipment, its worth it.


"TJ400" wrote in message
oups.com...
I posted earlier regarding a Canadian alternate for 4130 steeel tubing
but now require assistance when importing other aircraft supplies into
Canada from Aircraft Spruce.

When parcel arrives here in Canada, shipping, GST, duty and brokerage
fees are incredibly high... Are there any secrets or hints I might use
when having this stuff shipped north... For those who do a lot of
importing, how is it best accomplished? Can a small aviation
enthusiast like myself save a little in any way?

thanks so much in advance
TJ...