I can’t figure out how to do this. When I create a USPS shipping label for a shipment to Canada, it has an “add item” section, where it makes me choose what item I’m sending and then generates a tariff code for me. It asks for the item description, weight, and price.
Problem is, it also asks for “category,” and none of the categories apply to flutes. There are “appliances, parts, accessories,” “arts and collectibles,” etc. Clicking any of these categories then takes you to a another menu where you choose the subcategory. Both category and subcategory must be filled out. But “musical instruments” is not an option in ANY of the categories. So what do I choose?
Also, if I pick a random category and put the value of the flute, it says that the recipient will have to pay an estimated $75 upon receipt of the item. This seems awfully steep. Is it normal for Canadians to pay taxes when receiving items? I’ve never heard of this before.
I don’t know why the estimating sites don’t have all the code categories, but you’re looking for the Harmonized system code for flutes if importing to canada is 9205.90
For exporting from the US to Canada you use the Schedule B codes. While they get pretty specific, I believe all you need is the 9205.90 which is the six digit code found in chapter 92 of the Schedule B.
Yes, duties and fees are expected on goods crossing the border even under the free trade agreement. I don’t believe the buyer needs to pay any duties on flutes, but they will have to pay taxes on the value of the goods. Please note that the actual cost of taxes and fees (if any) are based on the value in canadian dollars, not USD.
Canada has recently (last month) imposed a 25% tariff on goods entering the country from the United States, for reasons that I’m not sure we can discuss due to C&F rules. This is in addition to the longer-standing 5% tax that (if I’m not mistaken) is paid on pretty much anything coming into the country.
There is a loophole of sorts which is that if the item was made outside the US, it can be exempted. However, the burden of proof that it was not made in the US is on the person importing it. If this is about the M&E flute you have for sale, you might want to check if there is a very clear “Made in Ireland” or “Made in the EU” marker somewhere on the flute. I doubt it, but it’s worth trying! Otherwise, I don’t quite know what proof would be considered definitive that could be used to bypass the tariffs.
While again trying not to run afoul of forum rules, I should note that the US has until recently not had to think much about duties or import tax. This is changing. When I lived there, I bought things from a variety of countries and never had an issue. Here in Ireland, there is a standard import tax due on goods from outside the EU (notably, from the UK, which gets annoying for anything from Northern Ireland!), and this is not uncommon elsewhere. I honestly cannot really say what the policy is in the US at the moment (it seems to be quite up in the air), but I will say that anyone buying or selling on this forum or pretty much anywhere else would be well-advised to stay on top of these laws/policies. The last thing you want is for a package to get held up in transit or to end up paying a much heftier bill than you thought!
Might also be worth consulting a lawyer, or even a law school student, to get their advice on the matter. But who knows where you can find one of those…
If it’s branded M&E with a recognisable logo or mark, it ought to be straightforward to show that they’re not made in the USA. There’s only one manufacturer of M&E flutes, and it’s in Ireland.
Yeah, but I haven’t ever heard of people paying them when the item arrives. I thought it was the sender who paid them (which in this case would be me). I’ve bought lots of things from foreign countries and never had to pay duties when the item arrives. That’s what sounded odd to me.
I was also unaware of this new 25% tariff, hence my surprise at the steep price. But if that’s how it is, so be it!
And to everyone: thank you so much for the advice and information! Extremely helpful.
I’m still unsure why USPS only allows you to choose from a certain number of “categories,” none of which include instruments. I guess I’m just supposed to choose a random one? The closest thing I found was “original sculptures and carvings” in the “art and collectibles” section.
Anyway, since I know the proper tariff code is 9205.90, it probably doesn’t matter which “category” I select.
, for reasons that I’m not sure we can discuss due to C&F rules.
I am sure a factual mention of an existing situation is within bounds. The forum is not an alternate reality where we should tiptoe around any mention of the state of the world.
!'m in the UK. I have bought flutes (or similar) from three makers in the USA. As recipient I paid all taxes and fees. The makers knew that was going to happen. One told me before hand what a previous UK customer had had to pay, one emailed me to ask what I paid so they could tell a potential UK customer. The tricky part, and I have heard it is the same in other countries, is that the taxes are paid to the final carrier before they deliver, different carriers charge different fees and it seems that at it’s not always clear to the sender or the recipient which UK carrier a USA carrier will use. Unless they have done it before.
It may - or may not - be similar for a recipient in the USA.
That raises a good point, if you ship, try to ship with USPS, if you go with a courrier, pick FedEX. UPS is an absolute scam in canada charging astronomical fees on imports.
I haven’t sent any flutes to Canada from the US, but I have sent important legal documents.
In my experience, and that of my legal contacts, Canada Post is not very reliable. I did try to send one document through the regular mail, which tracking said made it to Halifax and then vanished into a black hole.
The legal consensus, and my experience, is that FedEx is very good. It’s not cheap, but a flute is not very heavy, so it shouldn’t be too bad.
I’ve shipped many flutes using Canada Post and the USPS. I’ve never had a problem.
Their tracking systems work well and you don’t get hit with the huge, scam fees courrier
companies charge.
Paul
That’s been my experience with CP too . As far as I know, when something is shipped with USPS, it’s handled by CP once it crosses the border. At least that’s been my experience, here in Quebec.
. As far as I know, when something is shipped with USPS, it’s handled by CP once it crosses the border. At least that’s been my experience, here in Quebec.