The Ultimate Toronto Thread

[espen]

FWIW, CrossBorder Pickups has been opening packages recently and hunting out invoices to accurately declare value on packages. You still can save some dough, but the days of significantly marking things down are gone.

 

[capua]

FWIW, CrossBorder Pickups has been opening packages recently and hunting out invoices to accurately declare value on packages. You still can save some dough, but the days of significantly marking things down are gone.

Pardon my ignorance but this seems like it would defeat the purpose. Anyone know if Shippsy does this?

 

[espen]

You're not necessarily wrong. Just my experience the last few times.

 

[burgerkong]

Pardon my ignorance but this seems like it would defeat the purpose. Anyone know if Shippsy does this?

As long as Shippsy still charges for photos, then I'd be inclined to say no.

 

[suitforcourt]

You're not necessarily wrong. Just my experience the last few times.

I've been using CBP for a few years now. In my experience, they open packages randomly without rhyme or reason. I've had $50 worth of kids' toys challenged when it came to the invoice.

Other times, I'll have hundreds of dollars worth of footwear pass without incident.

I always ask seller to include paper invoice.

 

[capua]

I've been using CBP for a few years now. In my experience, they open packages randomly without rhyme or reason. I've had $50 worth of kids' toys challenged when it came to the invoice.

Other times, I'll have hundreds of dollars worth of footwear pass without incident.

I always ask seller to include paper invoice.

How does the paper invoice help? Is it because it's inside the package rather than on it and not visible?

My plan was to use CBP to buy a suit, declare it as being worth $3, and then pick it up from their Mississauga location and hopefully not be arrested.

 

[burgerkong]

How does the paper invoice help? Is it because it's inside the package rather than on it and not visible?

My plan was to use CBP to buy a suit, declare it as being worth $3, and then pick it up from their Mississauga location and hopefully not be arrested.

I mean this is a public forum lol, so yeah probably not wise to announce your plans.

 

[KaleidoscopicK]

How does the paper invoice help? Is it because it's inside the package rather than on it and not visible?

My plan was to use CBP to buy a suit, declare it as being worth $3, and then pick it up from their Mississauga location and hopefully not be arrested.

You wouldn't be arrested in that scenario.

I don't remember if CBP allows you to input an arbitrary value to your package before you pay them to clear customs as I haven't used them in a while, though the above anecdotes seem to indicate that you could. (When I checked last year, Shippsy is cheaper if you do one package but CBP will be slightly cheaper if you clear 2-3+ packages at once. Do your own comparisons to make sure.) Shippsy will force you to upload an invoice as proof of value.

In the end, it's a matter of whether you want to spend less money or less time. As @Spaghettimatt implied, getting a PO Box in Niagara Falls NY/Buffalo and planning a trip into Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake + a visit across the border in-between fun activities is always an option.

 

[capua]

You wouldn't be arrested in that scenario.

I don't remember if CBP allows you to input an arbitrary value to your package before you pay them to clear customs as I haven't used them in a while, though the above anecdotes seem to indicate that you could. (When I checked last year, Shippsy is cheaper if you do one package but CBP will be slightly cheaper if you clear 2-3+ packages at once. Do your own comparisons to make sure.) Shippsy will force you to upload an invoice as proof of value.

In the end, it's a matter of whether you want to spend less money or less time. As @Spaghettimatt implied, getting a PO Box in Niagara Falls NY/Buffalo and planning a trip into Niagara Falls/Niagara-on-the-Lake + a visit across the border in-between fun activities is always an option.

Thanks for your response it's very helpful. I'm actually going to Niagara-on-the-Lake at the end of July so I think I'll just pick it up at Niagara Falls.

Do I just cross the border and say I'm going to a restaurant or something and then hide my new suit in my trunk? Lol

 

[Ebichuman]

Thanks for your response it's very helpful. I'm actually going to Niagara-on-the-Lake at the end of July so I think I'll just pick it up at Niagara Falls.

Do I just cross the border and say I'm going to a restaurant or something and then hide my new suit in my trunk? Lol

If you have to ask, you’re not ready for high-stakes international smuggling operation

 

[capua]

If you have to ask, you’re not ready for high-stakes international smuggling operation

Don't worry I'll bring bribes just in case 😉

 

[Jamesbond1]

DHL send me a customs notification for $172.00. I asked them to self clear. Paid $96.00 at Pearson Airport customs office yesterday.
Yes it takes a bit of an effort but I’m in that area for work the only drawback is that the package was not released till the customs was paid.

If you gents can self clear your packages.

 

[Encore]

Have anyone bought from meeemin recently? Wondering how the duties look like and if they would claim a lower value?

 

[hysteria]

DHL send me a customs notification for $172.00. I asked them to self clear. Paid $96.00 at Pearson Airport customs office yesterday.
Yes it takes a bit of an effort but I’m in that area for work the only drawback is that the package was not released till the customs was paid.

If you gents can self clear your packages.

Is there parking there?

 

[itsmylocker]

Have anyone bought from meeemin recently? Wondering how the duties look like and if they would claim a lower value?

Yes, I think I paid $110 between taxes and duties on a $300 pair of shoes.

There’s no free return shipping and (as others have noted) getting duties back is a massive pain.