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Thread: Royal Mail versus the little person: Up for the challenge!

  1. #21
    Senior Member AzJon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Royal Mail versus the little person: Up for the challenge!

    I shipped some ink to Canada last week. It came to my attention at the post office that fountain pen ink was fine, but a fountain pen was a restricted item.

  2. #22
    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Royal Mail versus the little person: Up for the challenge!

    Quote Originally Posted by AzJon View Post
    I shipped some ink to Canada last week. It came to my attention at the post office that fountain pen ink was fine, but a fountain pen was a restricted item.
    Really? How weird is that?
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

  3. #23
    Senior Member AzJon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Royal Mail versus the little person: Up for the challenge!

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by AzJon View Post
    I shipped some ink to Canada last week. It came to my attention at the post office that fountain pen ink was fine, but a fountain pen was a restricted item.
    Really? How weird is that?
    It certainly raised an eyebrow. I wasn't shipping a pen to Canada, so I didn't press the issue. Might have to do a little digging to figure out what that's about.

  4. #24
    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Royal Mail versus the little person: Up for the challenge!

    Perhaps restricted meant subject to Canada customs duty?

    It is correct that fountain pens are generally subject to 7% duty (subject to a long list of preferential tariffs which may be relevant to your shipment to Canada), while ink to fill them is not. Note that pens over 100 years old (i.e., antiques) are exempt. (See Canada tariffs schedule for 2019, sections 32.15, 96.08, 9706.00 and their subsections.)

    Then there are taxes and fees apart from customs duties.

  5. #25
    Senior Member AzJon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Royal Mail versus the little person: Up for the challenge!

    Quote Originally Posted by FredRydr View Post
    Perhaps restricted meant subject to Canada customs duty?

    It is correct that fountain pens are generally subject to 7% duty (subject to a long list of preferential tariffs which may be relevant to your shipment to Canada), while ink to fill them is not. Note that pens over 100 years old (i.e., antiques) are exempt. (See Canada tariffs schedule for 2019, sections 32.15, 96.08, 9706.00 and their subsections.)

    Then there are taxes and fees apart from customs duties.
    Yup. Went to double check. It requires shipping insurance of up to $200 (ha!) and is subject to customs duties. It is classified as "jewelry".

  6. #26
    Senior Member Scrawler's Avatar
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    Default Re: Royal Mail versus the little person: Up for the challenge!

    It is not worthwhile to buy pens from abroad. The fees are based on the current conversion rate so when the Canadian dollar is weak the brokerage and handling fees on top of the taxes can easily double the price of a pen. One time my mother sent me a birthday gift and I had to pay $157.00 at the post office to receive it.

  7. #27
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    Default Re: Royal Mail versus the little person: Up for the challenge!

    Quote Originally Posted by Scrawler View Post
    It is not worthwhile to buy pens from abroad. The fees are based on the current conversion rate so when the Canadian dollar is weak the brokerage and handling fees on top of the taxes can easily double the price of a pen. One time my mother sent me a birthday gift and I had to pay $157.00 at the post office to receive it.
    There are some workarounds. I have a US mailing address where I receive US shipments, which I then just declare at the border myself. No service charge, aside from my food and beverage requirements for the day

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  9. #28
    Senior Member Cyril's Avatar
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    Default Re: Royal Mail versus the little person: Up for the challenge!

    Well, All pen-friends Belgium, France and Netherland Now you are able to get your fingers Inky and it is legal.

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