I would have paid the duty and kept the tobacco. For 200g of bulk tobacco locally I'm paying $38x4 or $152.
So $20+12 for shipping plus $96 for CBSA is still a deal.
So $20+12 for shipping plus $96 for CBSA is still a deal.
Gotta Love Canada?
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Salmon - are you in Ontario or in another province?
If you are in Ontario:
The rate of provincial tax in Ontario is 13.975¢ per gram or part gram of cut tobacco
The federal rate is $6.57188 per 50 grams manufactured tobacco or a fraction (of 50g) thereof
7.5 ounces is 212.6 grams
Ontario tobacco tax = 13.975 * 213 = $29.77
Federal tobacco tax = $6.57188 * 5 = $32.86 (remember the feds levy the same rate on a fraction of a 50g amount, so there are 5 50g amounts or fractions thereof in 213g)
So value for HST is:
$26.17 (ie US$24 purchase price converts to $26.17 using, for simplicity, today's exchange rate)
+ $29.77 (Ontario tobacco tax)
+ 32.86 (federal tobacco tax)
= $88.00
so HST is 13% of $88.00 = $11.54
So total tax I calculate would be $74.17, plus they usually charge you an admin fee which I think is $9.95 or something like that. About $12 less than $96.
Now, one vendor online always marks packages 8 oz even if you only buy 200g (I have complained to them before that 8 ounces is actually a bit less than 227 grams, so if I get nailed the duty will be assessed on the declared amount of 227g not the actual 200g).
If you run the above numbers using 227g for a purchase price of $US 24.00 instead of 213g you get total taxes of:
Ontario tobacco tax - $31.72
Federal tobacco tax - $32.86
HST = $11.80
total = $76.38
If you are in Ontario:
The rate of provincial tax in Ontario is 13.975¢ per gram or part gram of cut tobacco
The federal rate is $6.57188 per 50 grams manufactured tobacco or a fraction (of 50g) thereof
7.5 ounces is 212.6 grams
Ontario tobacco tax = 13.975 * 213 = $29.77
Federal tobacco tax = $6.57188 * 5 = $32.86 (remember the feds levy the same rate on a fraction of a 50g amount, so there are 5 50g amounts or fractions thereof in 213g)
So value for HST is:
$26.17 (ie US$24 purchase price converts to $26.17 using, for simplicity, today's exchange rate)
+ $29.77 (Ontario tobacco tax)
+ 32.86 (federal tobacco tax)
= $88.00
so HST is 13% of $88.00 = $11.54
So total tax I calculate would be $74.17, plus they usually charge you an admin fee which I think is $9.95 or something like that. About $12 less than $96.
Now, one vendor online always marks packages 8 oz even if you only buy 200g (I have complained to them before that 8 ounces is actually a bit less than 227 grams, so if I get nailed the duty will be assessed on the declared amount of 227g not the actual 200g).
If you run the above numbers using 227g for a purchase price of $US 24.00 instead of 213g you get total taxes of:
Ontario tobacco tax - $31.72
Federal tobacco tax - $32.86
HST = $11.80
total = $76.38
New Brunswick Peck, I believe our taxes are even higher. This vendor has responded to my rather pointed email and apologised profusely and stated they will be issuing a partial credit.
I told them I would no longer be buying from them as I have an issue with their shipping policies and how they mark the package value.
Good on them for replying!
I told them I would no longer be buying from them as I have an issue with their shipping policies and how they mark the package value.
Good on them for replying!
yep the New Brunswick rate is 19 cents per gram
so 212.6 grams in NB gets you:
Federal Tax: $32.86
NB Tobacco tax: $40.47
HST: $12.94
Total: $86.27
Add the approx $10 processing fee and hyou are at $96.00
So yeah, they calculated it correctly.
If the vendor put the right amount of tobacco on the label then they weren't at fault. You agree when you order that you are fully responsible for customs issues.
Yeah, they may give you a refund when you complain, but that ends up hurting all Canadian pipers because at some point the vendors will decide its just not worth the hassle and cost. This is part of the reason why P&C stopped shipping North.
so 212.6 grams in NB gets you:
Federal Tax: $32.86
NB Tobacco tax: $40.47
HST: $12.94
Total: $86.27
Add the approx $10 processing fee and hyou are at $96.00
So yeah, they calculated it correctly.
If the vendor put the right amount of tobacco on the label then they weren't at fault. You agree when you order that you are fully responsible for customs issues.
Yeah, they may give you a refund when you complain, but that ends up hurting all Canadian pipers because at some point the vendors will decide its just not worth the hassle and cost. This is part of the reason why P&C stopped shipping North.
Yeah, I see the error in letting them know about my issue.
I don't expect a refund actually, they will be paying return postage, that will gobble up what I had actually paid.
I actually travel south quite a bit and have friends who are always at Pats or Bruins games, guess its time to start hunting out B&M's in Maine.
Sorry for my rant guys, I was just shocked to be honest. I would buy locally, but holy cow, they carry like 6 brands, Captain Black and Old Port to name two.
I don't expect a refund actually, they will be paying return postage, that will gobble up what I had actually paid.
I actually travel south quite a bit and have friends who are always at Pats or Bruins games, guess its time to start hunting out B&M's in Maine.
Sorry for my rant guys, I was just shocked to be honest. I would buy locally, but holy cow, they carry like 6 brands, Captain Black and Old Port to name two.
Canada....I've heard of it. Some dipstick that is running for Constable here ran a radio add recently...."I've instructed Law Enforcement Officers all over the world and Canada." What a nimrod. He won't get my vote just on that comment alone. :roll:
The law enforcement officers here are quite good. Too good, in fact - that's part of the problem.
The politicians, on the other hand . . . well . . . I guess they suck no matter where you are.
The politicians, on the other hand . . . well . . . I guess they suck no matter where you are.
Heh heh . . . there's some truth to that, but parties have to be paid for. Every night I go to bed with my house doors unlocked and with my cars sitting on the driveway, unlocked, with the keys sitting in the car cup holder. I'll take that over a party. :D
I wonder if the crack down is upon us. I had been told that this will be coming. Let's see if any more fellows get nailed. I have some esoterica blends on the way so I will do likewise. A bunch of Peretti stuff came in Friday and there were no issues.
I had an order come in last week, got hit with $67 duty on 200 grams. The lady at the post office said almost everything coming in from the States has been getting hit lately, not just tobacco.
The latter. I heard a rumour from a reasonably reliable source some months back to the effect that the customs folks were going to tighten up and not allow so many small "low value" packages slip through, particularly where tobacco is involved. We shall see.
Well, I just went and picked up my package. No yellow slip, all clear.
I decided to test my luck a bit last week, ordered 2 packages from an online company, in the same evening, each with 24oz of bulk.
One came through in its usual time, within a week.
This was the others journey....
2014/05/09 12:20 05753,USA International item mailed in originating country
2014/05/10 13:12 USJFKA,USA International item has left originating country and is en route to Canada
2014/05/14 04:39 FIHELA,Canada International item has been forwarded onwards to destination
2014/05/16 18:42 MISSISSAUGA Item has arrived in Canada and was sent for further processing.
18:47 MISSISSAUGA Item was released by Customs and is now with Canada Post for processing
2014/05/17 02:50 MISSISSAUGA Item processed
2014/05/20 05:45 OTTAWA Item processed
06:04 OTTAWA Item processed at local delivery facility Learn More The item has arrived at the destination facility for final sorting before delivery. Look for an "Out for Delivery" scan today or tomorrow to know when delivery will occur. You can also sign up for email notifications.
09:31 OTTAWA Item out for delivery
12:41 OTTAWA Attempted delivery. Notice card left indicating where item can be picked up.
12:58 OTTAWA Item available for pickup at Post Office
It was That FIHELA part that sent off alarms for me. everytime google search turned up some sort of customs related mail stop.
Anyways, I'm expecting another this week of 500g of tins from another online company.
So far so good.
I decided to test my luck a bit last week, ordered 2 packages from an online company, in the same evening, each with 24oz of bulk.
One came through in its usual time, within a week.
This was the others journey....
2014/05/09 12:20 05753,USA International item mailed in originating country
2014/05/10 13:12 USJFKA,USA International item has left originating country and is en route to Canada
2014/05/14 04:39 FIHELA,Canada International item has been forwarded onwards to destination
2014/05/16 18:42 MISSISSAUGA Item has arrived in Canada and was sent for further processing.
18:47 MISSISSAUGA Item was released by Customs and is now with Canada Post for processing
2014/05/17 02:50 MISSISSAUGA Item processed
2014/05/20 05:45 OTTAWA Item processed
06:04 OTTAWA Item processed at local delivery facility Learn More The item has arrived at the destination facility for final sorting before delivery. Look for an "Out for Delivery" scan today or tomorrow to know when delivery will occur. You can also sign up for email notifications.
09:31 OTTAWA Item out for delivery
12:41 OTTAWA Attempted delivery. Notice card left indicating where item can be picked up.
12:58 OTTAWA Item available for pickup at Post Office
It was That FIHELA part that sent off alarms for me. everytime google search turned up some sort of customs related mail stop.
Anyways, I'm expecting another this week of 500g of tins from another online company.
So far so good.
Sadly, I wont be ordering from the US for a while, I just cant afford the duty if I do get hit. I took up pipes to save money from cigs, pipe smoking would be more expensive for me if I end up paying duty. 
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