International Customs...

[StargirlDi]

Hi Karen,

I'm a new customer (another person from Chanty's website). I actually made my first purchase yesterday, and I am in Canada, but I didn't know about the tax. I guess $5 + the tax is okay for a one time thing, but I will certainly try to avoid it in the future.

I would very much appreciate receiving packages through in-country postage. That is very kind of you! I don't know that it would be a lot faster, but it would certainly allow Canadians like me to order more without running into this issue.

Thanks!

Diana

[Toby]

Diana -- you are only charged the fee if customs decides to take a look at your package; they may not. I believe they are a bit more strict this time of year due to Christmas and many large packages coming into the country, but I could be wrong.

Canada Post is notoriously slow, but I think it's particularly bad due to customs -- I've had them hold my packages a week or more before. Once it actually gets in the country, the packages are faster and somewhat more reliable. I live in Vancouver and it takes me a few days - a week to get post from the East.

[StargirlDi]

Diana -- you are only charged the fee if customs decides to take a look at your package; they may not. I believe they are a bit more strict this time of year due to Christmas and many large packages coming into the country, but I could be wrong.

Thanks! I guess I'll see what happens.

[ega]

In Poland the limit's 22 EUR (around 31 USD as of now). There's a handling fee as well.

[Ellwinge]

For Holland, the official limit is 22 euro's. However it happens only rarely that they actually charge it. I guesstimate that I have ordered at least 15 times from the USA and I never got charged. Beauty bloggers who order a lot experienced it 2 or 3 times out of all their packages. I believe the informative website says that it is officially obliged to pay the customs even if you are not charged. I think this is good to know; I don't know anyone who experienced trouble with it but still... I'm not so keen on calling them about it in case that would make them check packages to my address extra-carefully.

[DollDoll]

In Israel we seem to get charged at everything above 100$,
but it seems to be random and I dont know the official limit.

[Autumn]

Canadians are also charged a $5 handling fee on top of taxes. Still better than UPS & its exorbitant $30-ish handling fee, though!

I only pay the $5.00 on larger orders that are held by Post Office. $30.00 and up seems to be the flag for them. However, I have placed $30.00 orders from SN and came right to my door with no extra charges.

If held by the Post office, it is the $5.00 handling fee plus the GST/PST value on the order. I am in Ontario. My answer is to place smaller orders.

Thanks Karen for the offer to place two small orders within 24 hours but still qualify for the free eye shadow if over $30.00 is purchased.

I agree Toby the couriers are much more expensive.

[la_canadiense(01)]

I am not sure what the official limit is for Ireland, but except for one order from iherb.com that was 150 USD, I have never had to pay anything on any orders. Many of them over 100 USD.
Hope this helps someone from Ireland.

[lilychemgirl]

I received a package yesterday, which I know was over $30 (as I chose a free eyeshadow) but on the customs form it said $19 something, so I guess your software is still underestimating? I just thought I would let you know in case you want to correct this.
Thank goodness (as I am a total internet shopping junky) our customs limit is $1000, so it doesn't make much difference one way or the other to me

[la_canadiense(01)]

hmmm, I received one over Christmas and it had the correct amount on it.
Maybe the machine is sporadic and needs to be realigned or something, maybe some are still getting lower amounts and some getting it correct....

Did you use points or a coupon or something? In my latest order, I only had to pay $7 because I had points available, so I think the customs form only shows what you actually paid...or that is what I imagine. Not sure if that is correct or not, or legal or not. But I imagine that customs should only charge you (if applicable) on what you have actually paid, not a supposed amount.

With EDM, I remember there was a bit of a problem when they started the 45% thing as the full amount of the 12 items was showing up on the customs form, not the amount paid (including the discount).
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