Hey guys,
Not sure if this is the right place to post this, so feel free to move it if it's in the wrong place.

For all us crazy Canucks that want to import parts from our buddies from south of the border. Trying to figure out what the item will cost can be a nightmare to figure out so I thought I would post this to help.

We all know parts selection and finding distributors in Canada sucks! Especially if you need custom parts. Thankfully, the glorious USA has lots of options. However, it's a real rats nest of red tape to figure out how much it will end up costing you. I put this guide together from sources all over the net.

First, you have taxes... God, our government loves to tax us to death. Here is what you can look forward to...
Taxes – Every Canadian crossing the border back into Canada must pay the applicable taxes and duties on the products they wish to import. (NOTE: If you ship to a KinekPoint along the border and bring back the item yourself, instead of shipping it across, you are much less likely asked to pay duty) The taxes you pay depend on the province you are crossing back into:

• Alberta – 5%
• Saskatchewan – 10%
• Manitoba or British Columbia – 12%
• Quebec – 12.875%
• Ontario or New Brunswick – %13

Next, you have duties. This where things get tricky! The idea here if you want to avoid crazy duty fees is to buy parts that are MADE in the USA... Imported from Japan and distributed in the USA will still get you hit with a duty fee.
If the product was made in the United States or Mexico there will be no duty because of NAFTA. But if the product was made in any other country there could be duties imposed ranging from 5-30%. (ouch!) Some other common items and the applicable duty percentages (if not manufactured in a country we have a free trade agreement with) are as follows:

• Automobile tires – 7% (however motorcycle and bicycle tires are duty free!)
• Car parts – ~6%

If you're going to be in the US on business or pleasure, you are entitled to a person exemption from the duty fees above. Depending on how long you have been in the States you may qualify for a personal exemption (The value of goods you can bring back duty free and tax free to Canada)

• 24 hours – $50 exemption
• 48 hours – $400 exemption
• 7 days – $750 exemption.

If you are shipping products from the US into Canada through the mail or courier there is more crap to deal with including exorbitant brokerage fees. Here is a link to UPS brokerage fees, note that on top of the brokerage fee they charge a 2.7% disbursement fee (minimum $5.85) and another $4.25 that they will collect on delivery because you’re paying for these services after the fact. Say you buy a set of brake pads for $45, you will pay $19.45 in brokerage, $5.85 in disbursement and $4.25 for COD. Your $45 brake pads just became $74.55, and that doesn’t include shipping! FedEx doesn’t have any fees listed on their website. Some shippers have flat rate cross border shipping. Look for these websites to do business with. Often they will also have expedited customs service too! Another option is to use a service like Kinek. Basically, your shipment goes to one of their depots located on the American side of the border where you drive in and pick it up. You then "walk" it across the border to save on all the crazy shipping fees. There website is here. This is especially handy if your order is coming in from deeper south and driving there is not a reasonable option. After receiving your products at a USA mailing address you could save 20, 50, even hundreds more dollars on shipping and brokerage fees.

If you want to see the whole list of products (other than car parts/tires) here is the Customs Tariff Depertmental Consolidation 2010 PDF file

So, remember to buy parts made in the US or Mexico for zero duties. Walk it across if it's a high dollar part(s). Look for US websites like Tirerack.com that are experienced in cross border shipping. Surprises are great if they involve your wife getting nekkid or it's your birthday... They suck when you order parts!
Hope this helps!

 

P.O. box in a US border town is the way to go as long as they have the capability to sign for you (eg. UPS store). Also usually get to take advantage of all those "free shipping in the continental US" deals.