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Buying coins from Canada

I am thinking about bidding on some coins that are Canada. Has anyone had experience buying coins from Canada? I see the seller is asking for $27 shipping on top of the winning bid. I see something about duty tax too. I am a little hesitant in bidding so I figured I would check here for other peoples experience.

Positive BST as a seller: Namvet69, Lordmarcovan, Bigjpst, Soldi, mustanggt, CoinHoader, moursund, SufinxHi, al410, JWP

Comments

  • PillarDollarCollectorPillarDollarCollector Posts: 4,233 ✭✭✭✭✭

    When I sell I always charge about that amount it has to be express mail nothing else. Why would any buyer or seller want to take risks with cheap shipping methods. When I buy from the US I am fine paying 30$ to 40$ for priority USPS or UPS.

    Interest: Latin American history with an emphasis on colonial Mexico & Peru

    Sports: NHL & NFL

    Thank you Lord for another beautiful day!!!

  • PillarDollarCollectorPillarDollarCollector Posts: 4,233 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Insurance cost $1,50 to $2,50 per $100 then add the envelope (some times 2 to be secure and shipping service.

    Interest: Latin American history with an emphasis on colonial Mexico & Peru

    Sports: NHL & NFL

    Thank you Lord for another beautiful day!!!

  • CameonutCameonut Posts: 7,235 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I haven't bought coins from Canada for over a decade, but I recognize there are issues with shipping costs and duties. I bought many coins via Ebay and auction houses.

    Perhaps your question would better be asked on the World Forum instead. We tend to focus on US coins on the US Forum even though Canada is considered greyside.

    Good luck.

    “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

    My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!

  • QCCoinGuyQCCoinGuy Posts: 317 ✭✭✭✭

    Here’s my Canadian perspective. Half the buying and selling I do is cross-border. It costs me about the same to ship to the US as it does within Canada. For American buyers, Canadian material is discounted by 27%. Pretend there is no border and enjoy your access to the Canadian market without fear.

  • dbldie55dbldie55 Posts: 7,712 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Just bought 3 things from up north. Never had an issue.

    Collector and Researcher of Liberty Head Nickels. ANA LM-6053
  • PillarDollarCollectorPillarDollarCollector Posts: 4,233 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Customs can be slow at the moment that is about it.

    Interest: Latin American history with an emphasis on colonial Mexico & Peru

    Sports: NHL & NFL

    Thank you Lord for another beautiful day!!!

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I bought coins from a seller in Canada on the BST here. Shipping was by UPS and I was charged a $45 brokerage fee. Might want to be aware of that possibility.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 30,372 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @coinandcurrency242 said:
    I am thinking about bidding on some coins that are Canada. Has anyone had experience buying coins from Canada? I see the seller is asking for $27 shipping on top of the winning bid. I see something about duty tax too. I am a little hesitant in bidding so I figured I would check here for other peoples experience.

    Is this eBay? Does eBay global shipping work both ways? If it does, the quote you get is for everything: shipping and any duties.

  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've purchased coins from many different countries and was never charged an import fee or any kind of tax for that matter. The majority of them come registered mail which is usually 1/2 what the USPS charges within the US.

  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 25, 2021 6:54PM

    This is one subjet which gets my blood boiling......
    GS works WorldWide.
    There is NO duty when shipping Canadian or collector coins to Canada if properly declared!
    and you do not have to use a broker.
    declare it as Numismatic items and be honest about the value on the CN22 or CN 23 form.
    use tariff # 7118900091 (international tariff number) I believe also good for the US and Europe.
    in some, but very, very few cases, Canadian customs might collect GST of 5%. BUT their time must be worth at least what they collect.
    Feebays GS uses their own broker and they incorporate these fees into their charges, which they call duty and taxes.
    a total rip-off. Just check and compare equal coins from a seller to the same country using GS. you find huge differences.
    Has anyone ever had a return when GS was used?
    a total nightmare because Canada customs wants original transaction copies or links to the import docs.
    So most buyers drop it.
    good luck with that as Feebay uses a contractor who does all that stuff. and they do not work for free. Not even on returns.
    Shipping cost from the US to Canada is very reasonable.
    BUT it is some sellers who are cashing in on these costs..
    Because FEEbay does it.
    you can ship coins from the US to Canada for as low as about $ US 6, with tracking.
    It costs me at least $US 12 with tracking to ship to the US, and there is max $ 50 insurance unless shipped via 3 day express. and then legal currency is not covered!
    I have personally experienced that a seller sends a Canadian 1 cent coin for free within the USA and charges US$27 to ship to Canada. Coin value $ 12.
    when questioned, I was told that it is very difficult and much more labor intense to ship to Canada and he had lost a lot of coins going to Canada.
    Now, what is so difficult with writing CANADA below the address, using the same envelope? No customs declaration needed as the value is too low.
    I just simply do not buy from any seller using GS or has overloaded shipping charges for no reason.
    sorry for venting!!! :#
    I rest my case...

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • PillarDollarCollectorPillarDollarCollector Posts: 4,233 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Best to just buy within your own country if things like this get on your nerves.

    Interest: Latin American history with an emphasis on colonial Mexico & Peru

    Sports: NHL & NFL

    Thank you Lord for another beautiful day!!!

  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:
    I bought coins from a seller in Canada on the BST here. Shipping was by UPS and I was charged a $45 brokerage fee. Might want to be aware of that possibility.

    You did not do your homework. as you could have done the import yourself.

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @YQQ said:
    You did not do your homework. as you could have done the import yourself.

    Not when the delivery truck is parked in front of your house, you can't. You should probably not be making assumptions about things you have no knowledge of.

    Just sayin'. :)

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 30,372 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @YQQ said:
    This is one subjet which gets my blood boiling......
    GS works WorldWide.
    There is NO duty when shipping Canadian or collector coins to Canada if properly declared!
    and you do not have to use a broker.
    declare it as Numismatic items and be honest about the value on the CN22 or CN 23 form.
    use tariff # 7118900091 (international tariff number) I believe also good for the US and Europe.
    in some, but very, very few cases, Canadian customs might collect GST of 5%. BUT their time must be worth at least what they collect.
    Feebays GS uses their own broker and they incorporate these fees into their charges, which they call duty and taxes.
    a total rip-off. Just check and compare equal coins from a seller to the same country using GS. you find huge differences.
    Has anyone ever had a return when GS was used?
    a total nightmare because Canada customs wants original transaction copies or links to the import docs.
    So most buyers drop it.
    good luck with that as Feebay uses a contractor who does all that stuff. and they do not work for free. Not even on returns.
    Shipping cost from the US to Canada is very reasonable.
    BUT it is some sellers who are cashing in on these costs..
    Because FEEbay does it.
    you can ship coins from the US to Canada for as low as about $ US 6, with tracking.
    It costs me at least $US 12 with tracking to ship to the US, and there is max $ 50 insurance unless shipped via 3 day express. and then legal currency is not covered!
    I have personally experienced that a seller sends a Canadian 1 cent coin for free within the USA and charges US$27 to ship to Canada. Coin value $ 12.
    when questioned, I was told that it is very difficult and much more labor intense to ship to Canada and he had lost a lot of coins going to Canada.
    Now, what is so difficult with writing CANADA below the address, using the same envelope? No customs declaration needed as the value is too low.
    I just simply do not buy from any seller using GS or has overloaded shipping charges for no reason.
    sorry for venting!!! :#
    I rest my case...

    How do you ship a coin from the US to canada with tracking for $6? The cheapest rate I know is $11, up from $10.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 30,372 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @YQQ said:
    You did not do your homework. as you could have done the import yourself.

    Not when the delivery truck is parked in front of your house, you can't. You should probably not be making assumptions about things you have no knowledge of.

    Just sayin'. :)

    If we did that, the forum would be empty

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:
    How do you ship a coin from the US to canada with tracking for $6?

    You can't. You need to use First Class Package International to get tracking. Prices start at $14.25 for 1 ounce on the USPS website.

  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,630 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I purchased a lot of coins from Canada in the past few months for my Canadian collections with no problems. As a matter fact-I Just got two today. I do not ship out of the USA though-too much of a hassle for me.

    image
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 30,372 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @jmlanzaf said:
    How do you ship a coin from the US to canada with tracking for $6?

    You can't. You need to use First Class Package International to get tracking. Prices start at $14.25 for 1 ounce on the USPS website.

    $11 on ebay. That's why I asked.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I suspected eBay might be cheaper but I have a bookmark to the USPS website so I checked there first. Seeing their retail price, I was pretty sure whatever eBay charged, it would be more than $6.

  • amwldcoinamwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Remember not so long ago when shipping was less than 1/2 that to Canada? IMHO these USPS rates are getting out of control. I believe in the past 4-5 years the international rates have more than doubled. My rates from Hotlanta to the west coast have now officially doubled. All this with a great profit booster with the cheap price of gas. Wish I could get a raise like that...instead of it pretty much giving me a negative raise unless I want to sell less. And please don't go on about the cushy retirement fund they are having to prefund that fewer and fewer in this country have!

  • JimnightJimnight Posts: 10,592 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I never got into Canadian coins.

  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 26, 2021 8:16AM

    @MasonG said:

    @YQQ said:
    You did not do your homework. as you could have done the import yourself.

    Not when the delivery truck is parked in front of your house, you can't. You should probably not be making assumptions about things you have no knowledge of.

    Just sayin'. :)

    NOT making any assumptions here. your note clearly confirms that.
    A hell of a lot of more knowledge than you!, as I know who to buy from and who misuses shipping costs.
    When the truck is outside your house delivering your goods it is too late to complain, ...way too late!! then you had already agreed to have someone do the importing for you, probably a UPS broker. and YOU pay as u had agreed!
    You have to be awake when you buy and know what you agree to. Read the small print and all of the conditions.

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭✭✭

    last year I have received numerous shipments from the US with tracking. and each was either just under 6 bucks or less than 7. There are atill sellers on Feebay charging around these numbers.
    the shipment has a tracking number, a bar code and tracking is limited to the time date etc of the original PO, and to an electronic note back that the item is delivered. NO signature or detailed tracking! But apparently sufficient for Ebay and paypal.

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Amwldcoin
    even last year it was cheaper to ship, with tracking, a piece from Canada to the USA, including territories, than ship the same item to anywhere in Canada.
    Go figure

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 26, 2021 8:24AM

    @rec78 said:
    I purchased a lot of coins from Canada in the past few months for my Canadian collections with no problems. As a matter fact-I Just got two today.** I do not ship out of the USA though-too much of a hassle for me.

    **
    But, you expect you expect Canadians to ship to you?
    Please, what is too much hassle?????? writing Canada below the address?
    Makes me seriously if I also should stop sending Items to the USA???
    might be a ton less hassle??? right?,
    after all, it is a lot of work and inconvenience to write USA under the ADDRESS!!
    And, I am a collector...NOT a dealer.

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @YQQ said:
    NOT making any assumptions here. your note clearly confirms that.

    Yes, you are making assumptions.

    @YQQ said:
    A hell of a lot of more knowledge than you!, as I know who to buy from and who misuses shipping costs.

    You're free to think that if it makes you feel any better. You seem awfully angry, try to relax.

    @YQQ said:
    When the truck is outside your house delivering your goods it is too late to complain, ...way too late!!

    That's what I said above.

    @YQQ said:
    then you had already agreed to have someone do the importing for you, probably a UPS broker. and YOU pay as u had agreed!

    Another assumption. A wrong one.

    You have to be awake when you buy and know what you agree to. Read the small print and all of the conditions.

    And another wrong assumption.

    Maybe you should stop digging and get the facts before making pronouncements?

    Just a thought... ;)

  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭✭✭

    lost cause... YOU know it all..
    take rest!

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Well, unlike you, I know how the purchase I mentioned above went and am not just making up stuff out of thin air.

    So I've got that going for me, which is nice. :)

  • OrlenaOrlena Posts: 283 ✭✭✭

    I’ve bought a few from eBay sellers and didn’t pay any duties or exorbitant fees. Also buy from Royal Canadian mint who charges no duties and offers free shipping on orders over $100.

    I’m always a bit careful when sellers charge fees that no one else seems to have a need for.

  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,630 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @YQQ said:

    @rec78 said:
    I purchased a lot of coins from Canada in the past few months for my Canadian collections with no problems. As a matter fact-I Just got two today.** I do not ship out of the USA though-too much of a hassle for me.

    **
    But, you expect you expect Canadians to ship to you?
    Please, what is too much hassle?????? writing Canada below the address?
    Makes me seriously if I also should stop sending Items to the USA???
    might be a ton less hassle??? right?,
    after all, it is a lot of work and inconvenience to write USA under the ADDRESS!!
    And, I am a collector...NOT a dealer.

    I am mostly a buyer and not a seller, and Canadians don't want what I offer anyway. Canadians sell to U.S. because this is where the money is. I am not and never have been an international seller. It's not just writing Canada below the address. It's filling out customs forms and a lot of Canadians ask for you to lie to avoid fees or taxes. If a Canadian does not want to sell to me because of location, I am ok with that.

    image
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 30,372 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @YQQ said:
    last year I have received numerous shipments from the US with tracking. and each was either just under 6 bucks or less than 7. There are atill sellers on Feebay charging around these numbers.
    the shipment has a tracking number, a bar code and tracking is limited to the time date etc of the original PO, and to an electronic note back that the item is delivered. NO signature or detailed tracking! But apparently sufficient for Ebay and paypal.

    I don't know what they are charging but you cannot ship at that price via any method I know of. Just because they are charging you $6 doesn't mean they aren't paying $11. I charge $8 to canada but it costs me $11. The other $3 is what domestic shipping costs.

  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Orlena said:
    I’ve bought a few from eBay sellers and didn’t pay any duties or exorbitant fees. Also buy from Royal Canadian mint who charges no duties and offers free shipping on orders over $100.

    Think about it... please.
    they can not decide to charge or not when shipping to the USA or any other country
    BUT, buying from the RCM is like trying to make 1K after you first invest 2 K's buying from them.
    the story goes like this:
    do you want to make 1/2 mill dollars?..... yes , please....
    OK, then invest 1 Mill $ in RCM products... 6 months later u will have your 1/2 mill.
    it is one of the worst rip-offs I have ever seen.... equal with Global Shipping on Feebay!!!!!!!!!!!

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life
  • TwoKopeikiTwoKopeiki Posts: 9,460 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I ship from Canada using Expedited service through CanadaPost fully declared with insurance and tracking. Average cost is between $20 - $27 Canadian. Gets to most places in US within 5-7 business days. I'm yet to hear about any of my buyers being charged an import fee by US customs.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 30,372 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @YQQ said:

    @Orlena said:
    I’ve bought a few from eBay sellers and didn’t pay any duties or exorbitant fees. Also buy from Royal Canadian mint who charges no duties and offers free shipping on orders over $100.

    Think about it... please.
    they can not decide to charge or not when shipping to the USA or any other country
    BUT, buying from the RCM is like trying to make 1K after you first invest 2 K's buying from them.
    the story goes like this:
    do you want to make 1/2 mill dollars?..... yes , please....
    OK, then invest 1 Mill $ in RCM products... 6 months later u will have your 1/2 mill.
    it is one of the worst rip-offs I have ever seen.... equal with Global Shipping on Feebay!!!!!!!!!!!

    You can say that about Global Shipping if you want, but I just had a UK customer request global shipping from me because I had not offered it.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:
    You can say that about Global Shipping if you want, but I just had a UK customer request global shipping from me because I had not offered it.

    eBay's Global Shipping allows for access to items that would otherwise be unavailable. And some people whine about it. Go figure.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 30,372 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MasonG said:

    @jmlanzaf said:
    You can say that about Global Shipping if you want, but I just had a UK customer request global shipping from me because I had not offered it.

    eBay's Global Shipping allows for access to items that would otherwise be unavailable. And some people whine about it. Go figure.

    His reason for requesting it is that he wanted to pay the customs duties upfront.

    I find it really odd on this forum to watch the dichotomy between the buyers and the (amateur) sellers. The same people, when they are the customer, demand that their desires be met. Yet, when they are the seller, they insist on dictating the terms to the buyers as though the buyers are a nuisance.

  • MasonGMasonG Posts: 6,268 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:
    The same people, when they are the customer, demand that their desires be met. Yet, when they are the seller, they insist on dictating the terms to the buyers as though the buyers are a nuisance.

    Billy Crystal, as Harry Burns: There are two kinds of [people]: high maintenance and low maintenance.

  • YQQYQQ Posts: 3,239 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TwoKopeiki said:
    I ship from Canada using Expedited service through CanadaPost fully declared with insurance and tracking. Average cost is between $20 - $27 Canadian. Gets to most places in US within 5-7 business days. I'm yet to hear about any of my buyers being charged an import fee by US customs.

    agree with you 100%. except that the amount of insurance is limited.

    The subject Global shipping and shipping costs across borders have been discussed many times on this and other forums.
    many examples were posted together with many so called "facts" or experiences by posters.

    the best way of shipping international IMO, is as follows:

    1 be honest with your declaration on the CN 22 and CN 23 form. These are internationally recognized declaration forms. these used to be green but now can be any color and must be in English and at least one other language.

    2 select the best way of shipping offered and suitable for you and your buyer
    3 Pay what it costs
    4 before shipping find the applicable tariff code and use it for your CN 22 -CN 23 . its all online!
    5 do not write any reference to coins on the form but call it Numismatic collectors Items.
    6 and, fill out the form so it can be ** easy read, even by OCR scanners**. it usually speeds up your item.
    here is a little unknown secret: some Import and border agencies use these scanners to scan both: the shipper and receiver, and check for History.
    AND, every countries customs usually has a website where you can check duties, taxes etc that are payable when importing.
    and YOUR own country has a web site where you can check all possible shipping methods and prices!

    Today is the first day of the rest of my life

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