shipping from U.S. to Canada? Somebody give me the skinny!

[jbkirkla]

OK. I had a customer call tonight and ask if I could ship a product (video game) to Alberta. I instinctively said yes (as all good sales people do). Now I'm trying to research what taxes need to be paid by me and what forms need to be included. Can anyone give me the details? Dennis? Or at least point me in the right direction. I've gotten really bogged down trying to read through NAFTA and other tariff sites. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[veridian]

I know the GST in Canada is 7%, but I dont know what the provincial sales tax is there, its 8% here in Ontario.

But I thought the border would automatically slap the taxes it needs on stuff comming over the border, to be paid by the customer when they pick it up. You are just specifying the value of the product when you mail it.

[jbkirkla]

Veridian, that is exactly what I'm looking to find out. I just need to include a packing slip or invoice with the detailed charges? I was hoping I didn't need to collect tax which would require applying and filling out various forms.

[KualoDennis]

There is no provincial sales tax in Alberta. So you would only need to charge your customer the 7% GST. Don't let them tell you that you don't have to, you do. It is required, LOL.

Try these guys, seems they have a useful site:
http://www.pcb.ca/cbrok.asp

Or, if you want it straight from the government:
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/menu-e.html

Good luck,

[jhaley]

In theory, you can leave the tax collection up to the governement. If you ship the package via the postal service without paying the tax, the recipient can pay the outstanding taxes at the post office.

here is the link to the section of the Canada Post site which covers customs and taxes:

http://www.canadapost.ca/common/tools/pg/manual/b06-e.asp

[jbkirkla]

Thanks very much to all of you. I will start reading more immediately. :)

[jbkirkla]

I called 1-800-USATRADE, the hotline for the Trade Information Center at the US Dept of Commerce this morning. The counselor there said that I only have to include a commercial invoice that itemizes the products and lists a description and price for each. He said that custom agents will assess taxes after it arrives and that the buyer is responsible.

Hopefully he wasn't a minimum wage employee trying to cause havoc. ;)