Handling fees, duties and such when ordering into Canada

[Ryker]

Hey, I was just wondering if anyone from Canada has ever ordered a (scientific, so that it fits the subforum ) book from abroad (US, UK), and if yes, how much were the handling and duty fees? All in all, what's the cost of all of that stuff on top of the price of the book and shipping costs themselves?

Thanks in advance.

 

[George Jones]

Why not order through Chapters/Indigo

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/home/?

Then, there aren't any shipping and handling fees.

I have order dozens of advanced scientific books on-line. Chapters has most books. If Chapters doesn't have it, I try amazon.com and then amazon.com. Below is an example (a quantum field theory book) from an order I placed with amazon.com (U.S.).

Item(s) Subtotal: $69.78
Shipping & Handling: $8.98
-----
Total Before Tax: $78.76
Sales Tax: $0.00
Import Fees Deposit $8.97
-----
Total for This Shipment: $87.73

 

[NobodySpecial]

I've never been charged import duty on a book into Canada from amazon.com or amazon.com

Check http://bookdepository.com/ they are often cheaper than Amazon for expensive textbooks, they ship from the UK but international mail is included in the price

 

[Ryker]

Why not order through Chapters/Indigo

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/home/?

Then, there aren't any shipping and handling fees.

I have order dozens of advanced scientific books on-line. Chapters has most books. If Chapters doesn't have it, I try amazon.com and then amazon.com. Below is an example (a quantum field theory book) from an order I placed with amazon.com (U.S.).

Item(s) Subtotal: $69.78
Shipping & Handling: $8.98
-----
Total Before Tax: $78.76
Sales Tax: $0.00
Import Fees Deposit $8.97
-----
Total for This Shipment: $87.73

I've never been charged import duty on a book into Canada from amazon.com or amazon.com

Check http://bookdepository.com/ they are often cheaper than Amazon for expensive textbooks, they ship from the UK but international mail is included in the price

Thanks for the responses, guys. The reason I don't want to go with Amazon or Chapters is because I'm buying a textbook that doesn't really need to be new. So I was looking at some used book prices, and found some that are around $15 cheaper (shipping included) if bought online (either US, UK or Ireland, there's different sellers with slightly different prices). And I guess if I knew the total added cost won't exceed those $15, I'd order, but otherwise I'd rather play it safe and just buy it at our bookstore (used) or, as you suggest, order online.

As for that website NobodySpecial suggested, I've actually found the textbook with a similar price as those used ones. So did you ever order from them perhaps? Because there the difference between what they'd charge (including shipping) and the lowest I could get it for is $14. Do you think it'd still be cheaper ordering from them then? Oh, and which province do you live in, perhaps there's differences in regards to that, as well. And if you did order from there, do any taxes apply, that is on top of what they charge?

 

[rezeew]

As a scientist who has ordered materials from abroad into Canada, I can offer some insight into the handling fees and duties involved. When ordering scientific books from the US or UK, there are a few additional costs to consider on top of the book price and shipping fees. These may include customs duties, taxes, and handling fees charged by the shipping company.

The amount of these fees can vary depending on the value of the book, the country of origin, and the shipping company used. In my experience, the duties and taxes can range from 5-15% of the book price, while handling fees can be anywhere from $10-$50. These fees are typically charged by the Canadian government and the shipping company to cover the costs of processing and handling the shipment.

To avoid any surprises, it's always a good idea to research the customs and duty policies of the country you are ordering from and the shipping company you are using. You may also want to consider using a shipping service that offers pre-paid duties and taxes, so you know the exact cost upfront.

In summary, when ordering a scientific book from abroad into Canada, it's important to factor in potential handling fees, duties, and taxes in addition to the book price and shipping costs. Doing some research beforehand can help you budget accordingly and avoid any unexpected costs.