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Loopholes shipping to canada

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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 66
I'm in need of some advice
Im trying to find the cheapest way to ship some skis to canada from the states

Now i've been told to mark it as a gift to avoid taxes, what else can i do? how can i avoid all the border fees? I shipped skis before, to about the same distance but in the country, with my dads fedex account, and its was $15. i know im going to run into some sorta fees, but how can i keep them as low as possible?

also. i work for a ski shop. they obviously do a lot of business shipping skis. do you think it would be alright to ask them if i can use their shipping (i would pay of course) because they probably get a hookup with UPS (or who ever). i haven't been working there that long, but i will clock a lot of time over the summer and im in no rush to ship anything.
May 20 2009 10:26PM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,785
I had this exact problem at the beginning of this season. The best way is to mark it as a gift of used skis, valued at under 100 dollars CAD. If it's marked as a used gift worth $50 you won't have to pay taxes or duty. This worked completely for me.

Also, you could smuggle it across if you're living near the border, or mount them up across the border and say you're picking up your skis from your friend's house or that you just went skiing (season permitting of course).

As for actual shipping costs, I can't help you. But $30 or so for shipping isn't bad if you don't have to pay GST, PST, or duty fees.
May 20 2009 10:52PM
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vincentlee223
Posts: 1571 - Karma: 382
I ship everything to my aunt in America and when she comes i get my stuff. But that only works if shes coming at a good time
May 20 2009 11:01PM
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Silence
Posts: 16030 - Karma: 150
Usually a shop will get a volume/corporate rate with shipping companies - try it. I ship stuff through couriers via my shop all the time.
May 21 2009 7:01AM
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13stripes
Posts: 3795 - Karma: 273
cut em up in little pieces and put them in a small box then mark as a gift.
May 21 2009 9:22AM
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