What is the deal with Canadian orders?

CROWLER · 05-04-2006, 02:34 PM

Hoping some or our Canadian brothers and sisters can educate me a little. In the past I have sent items to Canada all things went smooth and easy. Now I am carrying protein powder and I am getting a TON of responses from Canada.

I have seen some posts in the past about people (NOT my customers) having to pay extra money to Canadian customs before they could get their product.

Is this usual of not?

Then I have read that the cost of protein powder even if ordered in Canada is more expensive so even with the higher shipping cost from the US it is worth it. Is this true?

I have been told that even if you order from a place in Canada the shipping is higher than if you order from the US. Shipping within Canada is higher than FROM he US INTO Canada?

And this question if you could PM me with the answer so we are not giving free advertising to a non board sponsor What are the big online supp places in Canada?

Thanks for the help.

CROWLER

**EME** · 05-04-2006, 02:42 PM

I ship to Canada fairly regularly, and everytime I do I'm warned that Canadian customs may charge the recipient more to get their package when it arrives. I've never been notified that this actually happened, but definitely warned that it could. It seems to be random, but I have been advised to lowball the value of the items shipped to make sure that the total is under $50.00. Apparently shipments with a total value of less than $50 are much less likely to be marked for extra tax / fees. I have no idea if that is actually true.. but it's what I was told by the clerk where I do my shipping.

- EME

**Grunt76** · 05-04-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

Hoping some or our Canadian brothers and sisters can educate me a little. In the past I have sent items to Canada all things went smooth and easy. Now I am carrying protein powder and I am getting a TON of responses from Canada.

I have seen some posts in the past about people (NOT my customers) having to pay extra money to Canadian customs before they could get their product.

Is this usual of not?

Yes very usual. Unless "product sample" or "gift" are indicated (gift only works under C$100, which is about US$85 these days) then a duties tax is tacked on the box. In Québec, where I reside, it is 15%. Feel the pain. Of course I always write in the order form ''please put as low a value as possible'' because whatever value is indicated is the value taxed. For example, if I order $400 worth of supplements, which I have done, and the retailer ignores my remark, I get to pay a nice $60 in duties. Now if the retailer were to put say $80, I might have to pay zero in duties.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

Then I have read that the cost of protein powder even if ordered in Canada is more expensive so even with the higher shipping cost from the US it is worth it. Is this true?

Yes absolutely. I get my protein from Tp, which is at the opposite corner of north america, and save about 40% from the cheapest stuff I can find in Canada. PF might get my orders from now on because they're MUCH closer. I hate having to wait 2 weeks for snail-pace UPS to send me the stuff, but I save SO much... I only buy Canadian protein if I'm in a panic...

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

I have been told that even if you order from a place in Canada the shipping is higher than if you order from the US. Shipping within Canada is higher than FROM he US INTO Canada?

Yes, true. I get charged like $10 from TP from southern cali into Montréal, which is about 5 hours north of boston. Much more expensive from inside Canada, probably because TP gets a volume discount @ UPS...

~~Hacking is a Felony~~ · 05-04-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

And this question if you could PM me with the answer so we are not giving free advertising to a non board sponsor What are the big online supp places in Canada?

Just a reminder .. please be respectful to CROWLER's request. Thanks.

CROWLER · 05-04-2006, 05:11 PM

Thanks for the info guys.

WOW I just looked at the Canadian exchange rate. I have not really looked at it for a long time. Is the Canadian Dollar really worth .90 US?

I remember when it was down in the 70 cent range.

So basically if you are looking at a product in Canada for $10 in US dollars it is $9.

CROWLER

DarkFalcon · 05-05-2006, 12:10 AM

Ya I've been buying my Protein in the US for years even when our dollar was at .67 it was still way cheaper. I usually buy 10lbs at a time and after all shipping and tax is included I can still buy 2 tubs in the US for the same price it would cost me for one here. The extra charges (duty) do seem to be random. I'd say I pay the extra charge 1/3 times and it's usually only about $7 here in Canada so it certainly isn't a killer. If you haven't gotten some big sites let my know and I'll pm you.

DJohnson · 05-05-2006, 12:18 AM

I ALWAYS have to pay customs. USPS is the cheapest, they do things square and charge $5 flat. UPS is the worst, they have their own customs agents or something and charge a percentage. I've had to pay $75 customs on a car audio amplifier that would have cost me $5 customs via USPS.
USPS is slower though.

Yeah, importing protein is worth it. There's quite a bit of savings even after the higher shipping cost but also the selection from US retailers is just ridiculous compared to their Canadian counterparts.

And no, shipping within Canada usually costs me $5 max even on like 15lbs protein. Shipping for 15lbs protein at bbing.com with the new prices is literally $40 plus $30 customs. They told me customs was included with the $40 (as compared to it used to be $11) but they lied and lost my future business.

CROWLER · 05-05-2006, 12:45 AM

Thank you all for the posts and the PMs. I think I am MORE confused now lol

I have had about half the people tell me that shipping is more WITHIN Canada than shipping even from California. Now I see no it is usually $5 for shipping within Canada.

The posts above one says always import tarriff the other only 1/3 of the time and always with UPS. I ship a good amount of stuff to Canada now and every person requests UPS and never USPS so I wonder why.

I also see online protein companies with a place in the US and one in Canada but they Canadian one charges 20 - 25% more in Canadian dollars even though the exchange rate is only 10% different but people must still be buying from them. I am so confused

Damn US and/or Canada shipping laws are screwy no?
I guess my question would be if you can get shipping in Canada for $5 and I have seen sites that sell protein for about $6 a lb Canadian why bother getting it from the US?

I am honestly asking questions because I have gotten a TON of requests for samples from Canadian residents and I want to figure out the lowest cost way to get them their protein should they want to order. I actually have a place near Canada but have never used it for business. But who knows.

CROWLER

DarkFalcon · 05-05-2006, 07:33 AM

Where have you seen brand name protein in Canada for $6 a pound? I usually buy Champion Pure Whey in the 5lb tubs and in most US online sites I can get it for $23 or $25 CDN. Here the biggest site that I know of are [Prov's -> :rock2: <-DF .. ] they sell for almost $50. A place like GNC sells that for about $100 unless your a gold member then you pay like $80

CROWLER · 05-05-2006, 05:08 PM

Dark Falcon,

Thanks for the info. Could you edit your post please for the board sponsors who ship to Canada.

Quote:
Originally Posted by CROWLER
And this question if you could PM me with the answer so we are not giving free advertising to a non board sponsor What are the big online supp places in Canada?

Just a reminder .. please be respectful to CROWLER's request. Thanks

~~Hacking is a Felony~~ · 05-05-2006, 05:13 PM

taken care of CROWLER

**Grunt76** · 05-05-2006, 05:15 PM

I think posting up canadian supplement stores is doing a favor to the board sponsors, as everyone can better see how ludicrously cheaper the sponsors are than the crazy prices canucks get charged for their stuf...

DarkFalcon · 05-05-2006, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grunt76

I think posting up canadian supplement stores is doing a favor to the board sponsors, as everyone can better see how ludicrously cheaper the sponsors are than the crazy prices canucks get charged for their stuf...

That's exactly what I was thinking but it's Crowlers section and I respect his feelings. Sorry if any harm was done, just trying to show everyone how much better your prices are.

vanwilder · 05-13-2006, 06:29 PM

I can get free shipping in canada, shipping from the us is minimum 17 bucks for a tub of protein, just one of bb.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by CROWLER

Thank you all for the posts and the PMs. I think I am MORE confused now lol

I have had about half the people tell me that shipping is more WITHIN Canada than shipping even from California. Now I see no it is usually $5 for shipping within Canada.

The posts above one says always import tarriff the other only 1/3 of the time and always with UPS. I ship a good amount of stuff to Canada now and every person requests UPS and never USPS so I wonder why.

I also see online protein companies with a place in the US and one in Canada but they Canadian one charges 20 - 25% more in Canadian dollars even though the exchange rate is only 10% different but people must still be buying from them. I am so confused

Damn US and/or Canada shipping laws are screwy no?
I guess my question would be if you can get shipping in Canada for $5 and I have seen sites that sell protein for about $6 a lb Canadian why bother getting it from the US?

I am honestly asking questions because I have gotten a TON of requests for samples from Canadian residents and I want to figure out the lowest cost way to get them their protein should they want to order. I actually have a place near Canada but have never used it for business. But who knows.

CROWLER

vanwilder · 05-13-2006, 06:35 PM

im not going to name the site, but i can order lets 50 lbs of protein for 250 bucks, comes to 5 bucks a lb. its from canada and is a bulk website.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grunt76

I think posting up canadian supplement stores is doing a favor to the board sponsors, as everyone can better see how ludicrously cheaper the sponsors are than the crazy prices canucks get charged for their stuf...

vanwilder · 05-13-2006, 06:36 PM

right now they have a sale for 25 bulks for 5 lbs of protein on a canadian website, people from canada just dont shop right imo, sorry if i put info you dont want up here, if you please, remove it. but personally i dont see a need to buy from the usa, until proven otherwise

05-04-2006, 02:34 PM	#1
CROWLER Pro Stature Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	What is the deal with Canadian orders? Hoping some or our Canadian brothers and sisters can educate me a little. In the past I have sent items to Canada all things went smooth and easy. Now I am carrying protein powder and I am getting a TON of responses from Canada. I have seen some posts in the past about people (NOT my customers) having to pay extra money to Canadian customs before they could get their product. Is this usual of not? Then I have read that the cost of protein powder even if ordered in Canada is more expensive so even with the higher shipping cost from the US it is worth it. Is this true? I have been told that even if you order from a place in Canada the shipping is higher than if you order from the US. Shipping within Canada is higher than FROM he US INTO Canada? And this question if you could PM me with the answer so we are not giving free advertising to a non board sponsor What are the big online supp places in Canada? Thanks for the help. CROWLER

05-04-2006, 02:42 PM	#2
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,265 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	I ship to Canada fairly regularly, and everytime I do I'm warned that Canadian customs may charge the recipient more to get their package when it arrives. I've never been notified that this actually happened, but definitely warned that it could. It seems to be random, but I have been advised to lowball the value of the items shipped to make sure that the total is under $50.00. Apparently shipments with a total value of less than $50 are much less likely to be marked for extra tax / fees. I have no idea if that is actually true.. but it's what I was told by the clerk where I do my shipping. - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.MichaelandKendra.com Team Molecular Nutrition Creative Director FAME Media Group / World Natural Sports Organization Editor-In-Chief FAME Magazine www.FAMEWorldTour.com

05-05-2006, 12:18 AM	#7
DJohnson IMPC Contestant Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,087 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 50	I ALWAYS have to pay customs. USPS is the cheapest, they do things square and charge $5 flat. UPS is the worst, they have their own customs agents or something and charge a percentage. I've had to pay $75 customs on a car audio amplifier that would have cost me $5 customs via USPS. USPS is slower though. Yeah, importing protein is worth it. There's quite a bit of savings even after the higher shipping cost but also the selection from US retailers is just ridiculous compared to their Canadian counterparts. And no, shipping within Canada usually costs me $5 max even on like 15lbs protein. Shipping for 15lbs protein at bbing.com with the new prices is literally $40 plus $30 customs. They told me customs was included with the $40 (as compared to it used to be $11) but they lied and lost my future business. __________________ Age: 21 Height: 5'10.5" Mar, 2001: 135lbs @ ~14% Nov, 2004: 245lbs @ ~40% Feb, 2006: 188lbs @ 20.1% - Hydrostatic Tested Dec, 2006: 168lbs @ 5.5% - 7 Point Caliper Tested BULKING FOR A LONG TIME NOW Long Term Goal: Over 200lbs @ 8%

05-05-2006, 07:33 AM	#9
DarkFalcon I've got a RAGING clue! Join Date: May 2005 Location: dnyc99's cleaning staff Posts: 11,511 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 299	Where have you seen brand name protein in Canada for $6 a pound? I usually buy Champion Pure Whey in the 5lb tubs and in most US online sites I can get it for $23 or $25 CDN. Here the biggest site that I know of are [Prov's -> :rock2: <-DF .. ] they sell for almost $50. A place like GNC sells that for about $100 unless your a gold member then you pay like $80 Last edited by Hacking is a Felony : 05-05-2006 at 05:12 PM.

05-13-2006, 06:36 PM	#16
vanwilder IMPC Contestant Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: calgary Posts: 722 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 14	right now they have a sale for 25 bulks for 5 lbs of protein on a canadian website, people from canada just dont shop right imo, sorry if i put info you dont want up here, if you please, remove it. but personally i dont see a need to buy from the usa, until proven otherwise __________________ me > yourmom

05-04-2006, 05:11 PM	#5
CROWLER Pro Stature Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	Thanks for the info guys. WOW I just looked at the Canadian exchange rate. I have not really looked at it for a long time. Is the Canadian Dollar really worth .90 US? I remember when it was down in the 70 cent range. So basically if you are looking at a product in Canada for $10 in US dollars it is $9. CROWLER

05-05-2006, 12:10 AM	#6
DarkFalcon I've got a RAGING clue! Join Date: May 2005 Location: dnyc99's cleaning staff Posts: 11,511 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 299	Ya I've been buying my Protein in the US for years even when our dollar was at .67 it was still way cheaper. I usually buy 10lbs at a time and after all shipping and tax is included I can still buy 2 tubs in the US for the same price it would cost me for one here. The extra charges (duty) do seem to be random. I'd say I pay the extra charge 1/3 times and it's usually only about $7 here in Canada so it certainly isn't a killer. If you haven't gotten some big sites let my know and I'll pm you.

05-05-2006, 12:45 AM	#8
CROWLER Pro Stature Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	Thank you all for the posts and the PMs. I think I am MORE confused now lol I have had about half the people tell me that shipping is more WITHIN Canada than shipping even from California. Now I see no it is usually $5 for shipping within Canada. The posts above one says always import tarriff the other only 1/3 of the time and always with UPS. I ship a good amount of stuff to Canada now and every person requests UPS and never USPS so I wonder why. I also see online protein companies with a place in the US and one in Canada but they Canadian one charges 20 - 25% more in Canadian dollars even though the exchange rate is only 10% different but people must still be buying from them. I am so confused Damn US and/or Canada shipping laws are screwy no? I guess my question would be if you can get shipping in Canada for $5 and I have seen sites that sell protein for about $6 a lb Canadian why bother getting it from the US? I am honestly asking questions because I have gotten a TON of requests for samples from Canadian residents and I want to figure out the lowest cost way to get them their protein should they want to order. I actually have a place near Canada but have never used it for business. But who knows. CROWLER

05-05-2006, 05:08 PM	#10
CROWLER Pro Stature Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 5	Dark Falcon, Thanks for the info. Could you edit your post please for the board sponsors who ship to Canada. Quote: Originally Posted by CROWLER And this question if you could PM me with the answer so we are not giving free advertising to a non board sponsor What are the big online supp places in Canada? Just a reminder .. please be respectful to CROWLER's request. Thanks

05-05-2006, 05:13 PM	#11
~~Hacking is a Felony~~ I destroy property Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,105 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	taken care of CROWLER

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