ctown,
Here is a short example of what happens when you buy stuff from the states:
"Our example is a Projector.
Say the projector is: $1,699 USD
Shipping cost to BC is $ 114 USD
Your first expense is Visa / MasterCard charge you an additional 2.5 Percent on your USD to Canadian conversion rate, referred to as a Service fee. ( CIBC fees )
Today August 8, 2006 the current visa rate from CIBC Visa is 1.1398
USD to Canadian conversion. Multiply by 1.1398
So far your Canadian Dollar total for the projector is: $2,066.45
Unfortunately, The Government has not got their share yet, Local taxes.
On this $2,066.45 purchase you are paying an additional 13% Federal and Provincial tax, this adds $268.64
Running total is now $2,335.09
Still more you are asking ? Yes. Brokerage charges and Duties, we have provided links to UPS rates for your reference.
UPS and all other Brokers have a Entry Prep Fee Projector image
Entry Prep Fee on this Order is 66.70 + gst Total of $70.70
Running total is now $2,405.79
Next is the Disbursement Fees
Disbursement Fees in this case are 2.7 percent,
a total of taxes and duties paid Total $11.44
Additionally, Duties will be applied per the regulated amount by Canada Customs, this typically ranges 7.5 percent on Projector related equipment.
Add $154.95 on this shipment for Duties
Your grand total is 2405.79+ 154.95 + 11.44 = $2,572.18CDN
Your cost on this purchase from us was $2,328.82 a SAVINGS of $242.36 !"
However in our case we would only be charged 6% GST, not 13%.
