Ship an ordered laptop to Canada from USA

May 6, 2007 7:01 AM

I would like to buy a customized HP TX1000z from HP (in lieu of the TX1120us) and have it shipped to Ontario, where I live. Any ideas on how considering HP USA will not ship to me, and HP CA will not sell me one.

Oh, and how much should I expect to pay in duty on a $1600 USD laptop?

posted by strangelove to shopping (5 answers total)

No duty, just regular tax (so 14% if arriving to Ontario).

In terms of getting it to Canada, you might want to have it shipped somewhere in the states and forwarded on. Either a person (hopefully a friend) or a service (which will cost $$).
posted by tiamat at 7:33 AM on May 6, 2007

In addition to the 14% tax, Canada Post charges a $5 handling fee.

Do not ship UPS. They charge brokerage fees, cash dispersal fees, COD fees, and etc., which combined with the tax can easily reach 50% of the value of the thing you are shipping. Here is the UPS page that outlines the charges. My understanding is that other couriers have similarly ridiculous brokerage charges.
posted by Chuckles at 11:06 AM on May 6, 2007

Well.. Not 50% of the value of the you are shipping.. A lot more than $5 though.
posted by Chuckles at 11:11 AM on May 6, 2007

I hate when I do this..

You can give UPS payment details, like a credit card number, which will excuse you from some of the fees, like this one (which I called cash dispersal fee):

When funds are not provided in advance by the customer ... a fee of 2.7 percent (minimum $5.85) of the amount advanced by UPS will be charged. To avoid bond fees call 1-800-PICK-UPS and ask about our EFT plans.

posted by Chuckles at 11:15 AM on May 6, 2007

Find a postal service depot in the nearest border city and then setup an account. Then have HP US ship there, drive across and pick it up.

Whether you declare it or not on your way back is dependant on your level of risk/reward ratio.
posted by jkaczor at 11:21 AM on May 6, 2007