Thanks for this John - I'm sending two lenses to Canada this week and the
recipients should be happy. The way I read the codes, camera lenses are
9002 11 9000 according to the StatCan listing. This correct?
AndrewF
>Here's an update on my enquiries about courier company airfreight
>shipments of camera gears, lenses in particular, from the UK to Canada.
>
>1. The shipper in the UK will need to quote the exact "duty class code
>for Canada". This code number identifies the merchandise for customs
>duty purposes. These code numbers are very specific to all kinds of
>merchandise.
>
>This search engine will help determine the class code.
>
>http://www.statcan.ca/trade/scripts/trade_search.cgi
>
>If the shipper misquotes the code number on the shipping documentation
>you can expect the merchandise to be held up at customs in Canada for as
>long as it takes for someone to determine the correct number which might
>not be a matter of priority for Canada Customs. This misquotation can be
>the primary cause for hold ups at Canada Customs.
>
>For example, the class code for "photographic lenses for cameras"
>imported from the UK into Canada is 9002 . 11. 10 . 90. The code for
>"lenses for cameras other than photographic" [whatever that means!] is
>9002 . 11 . 90 . 90.
>
>2. Canada Customs has a 1-800 number which gets you to a real live human
>being in Hamilton, Ontario who can give you the exact duty class code
>for whatever your little heart desires to know. I called this number
>this morning and got the most courteous and prompt on-the-telephone
>service I have ever experienced with an federal government department
>EVER! The lady to whom I spoke gave me her name, her title and her
>direct line phone number and what's even better advised me that the 9002
>. 11 . 90 . 90 duty code classification does not attract any customs
>duties when the goods arrive. Wow! The lady reiterated the necessity of
>getting the duty class codes correct. If in any doubt, it makes sense
>for the importee in Canada to determine the code number and then supply
>it to the exporter in the UK. In my case, the exporter in the UK was
>going to quote the wrong duty class code which in and of itself would
>have rendered the shipment dutiable! By having provided the correct code
>I have saved having to pay any duties.
>
>As a bonus, the lady in Hamilton told me that if I experienced any
>difficulties on the duty question I was to call her on her direct line.
>
>The toll free Canada Customs duty enquiry line is
>
>1-800-661-6121
>
>3. The UPS tariff is detailed at
>
>http://www.ups.com/canada/using/software/currentrates/engcustoms_rates.html
>
>Brokerage fees are a function of the UPS service selected by the shipper
>and also of the value for duty as assessed by Canada Customs. There does
>not seem to be any scope for uncertainty on what you'll get charged. If
>UPS has to ante up customs duties and taxes {GST and PST] on the
>importee's behalf there is a disbursement fee. These are shown on the
>tariff.
>
>4. The FEDEx brokerage fees are included in the shipping charges paid by
>the shipper or so I have been told on two separate calls to FEDEx
>Canada's 1-800 number.
>
>5. If FEDEx has to ante up customs duties and taxes ahead of releasing
>possession of the goods to the importee, FEDEx will charge the importee
>2.50f the amount they disbursed on the importee's behalf. I think
>there is a $7 minimum
>
>6. I cannot find the FEDEx tariff on their English language web site at
>
>http://www.fedex.ca/ca_english/
>
>but FEDEx is mailing me a booklet outlining all the information.
>
>
>CONCLUSION ........... I think the most important thing is to ensure
>that the shipper does the paperwork correctly and quotes the correct
>duty class code number, not one that is closely approximate but the
>exactly correct number!!
>
>Hope this might of interest and use to list members.
>
>John Hudson
>Vancouver, BC, Canada
>
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