Importing BD's from the US?

[insomniac013]

I'm going to Canada for the summer and was wondering if there are any Canadian sites or vendors that specializes in importing American stuff like Blu Rays?

I assume i couldn't just import from Amazon.com and it wouldn't get picked up by the Canadian Customs?

I know Amazon.ca exists, but from what i've seen it seems to be more expensive or they just don't sell said Blu Ray because it wasn't released in Canada.

Thanks for any info regarding this!

[Dex Robinson]

No Problems at all using amazon.com or .ca.

I'm in Canada and I get stuff from amazon.com all the time. In fact, I've recently got packages from amazon.uk as well.

It's the easiest thing in the world. You won't have any problems with Customs. I've been importing discs into Canada for a dozen years and nothing ever got delayed at Customs. Those guys have more important things to do and a package from amazon is pretty much guaranteed to be ignored.

And don't automatically write-off amazon.ca. Truth is, they sell a lot of discs cheaper than amazon.com...but you have to price the individual disc. Last week, I got THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS for $10.49...it's gone up since then but that was cheaper than the amazon.com price. I pre-ordered the WB three pack of THE SEARCHERS, THE WILD BUNCH and HOW THE WEST WAS WON for $15.99 from amazon.ca. It has just moved into "Shipping Soon" and should ship tomorrow. That same set is on amazon.com right now for $26.99! And I've never seen amazon.ca not sell a disc because it wasn't released in Canada. They even have some UK imports on the site (but at very high prices).

The only real issue is that Canadians don't get free-shipping from amazon.com (they do get it from amazon.ca). So, if you order from amazon.com, you might want to make sure you order a few discs at a very cheap price since the shipping cost will eat up any saving if you just order a disc or two that is slightly cheaper.

[zeze]

For Amazon.com, you pay an import fee deposit when you place your order. This way you don't have to worry about getting dinged by custom charges when your order arrives. Also if the import fees are less than what Amazon.com charged you then the difference will be refunded back onto your credit card.

[Belloche]

Originally Posted by insomniac013

I'm going to Canada for the summer and was wondering if there are any Canadian sites or vendors that specializes in importing American stuff like Blu Rays?

I assume i couldn't just import from Amazon.com and it wouldn't get picked up by the Canadian Customs?

I know Amazon.ca exists, but from what i've seen it seems to be more expensive or they just don't sell said Blu Ray because it wasn't released in Canada.

Thanks for any info regarding this!

If you're coming to Canada why don't you just buy your Blu-rays here ? Amazon.com has great prices, but the shipping is outrageous and it kills your savings most of the time. There's no great price difference between Canada and US retailers and anything available there you can get here.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by zeze

For Amazon.com, you pay an import fee deposit when you place your order. This way you don't have to worry about getting dinged by custom charges when your order arrives. Also if the import fees are less than what Amazon.com charged you then the difference will be refunded back onto your credit card.

That's not necessarily true anymore. They seem to have upped the import tax as well as shipping.

Other options besides Amazon are Barnes and Noble (if you can wait a month, and right now they have a buy 2, get the 3rd "free" sale. some of their prices are cheaper than Amazon) and Deep Discount, which also takes a couple weeks. They have a 25% off sale right now.

[zeze]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

That's not necessarily true anymore. They seem to have upped the import tax as well as shipping.

Are you talking about being refunded your import fee deposit if it is less than what actually is collected? True is happens less now but you will still see a refund once in a while.

[Dex Robinson]

A couple of days ago, I got this from amazon.com"

"We're writing to let you know we processed your refund of $6.80 for your Order 002-1269041-xxxxxxx."

That was for an order I placed about 3 months ago.

[insomniac013]

Oh, so you pay a deposit for Amazon.com and you can import freely? Wow, i wish they did with Denmark!

Originally Posted by Belloche

If you're coming to Canada why don't you just buy your Blu-rays here ? Amazon.com has great prices, but the shipping is outrageous and it kills your savings most of the time. There's no great price difference between Canada and US retailers and anything available there you can get here.

Yeah, but some Blu Ray's are exclusive to the US for whatever reason so there's little choice there.

Are BD's in Canada generally around the same price as the US? Because when i look at certain titles on AMZ.CA the prices are a bit on the expensive side compared to the US. (Though I dont know if AMZ is the best representation of the Canadian price point)

Thanks for the help, guys! I will definitely look back on this thread come July.
(Can't wait to see that gorgeous Canadian nature in person! )

[zeze]

Originally Posted by insomniac013

Oh, so you pay a deposit for Amazon.com and you can import freely? Wow, i wish they did with Denmark!


Yeah, but some Blu Ray's are exclusive to the US for whatever reason so there's little choice there.

Are BD's in Canada generally around the same price as the US? Because when i look at certain titles on AMZ.CA the prices are a bit on the expensive side compared to the US. (Though I dont know if AMZ is the best representation of the Canadian price point)

Thanks for the help, guys! I will definitely look back on this thread come July.
(Can't wait to see that gorgeous Canadian nature in person! )

Closer to when you come you should visit the Canadian deals forum (https://forum.blu-ray.com/forumdisplay.php?f=70) as we post deals that the various retailers in Canada have.

[Dex Robinson]

Originally Posted by insomniac013

Yeah, but some Blu Ray's are exclusive to the US for whatever reason so there's little choice there.

Are BD's in Canada generally around the same price as the US? Because when i look at certain titles on AMZ.CA the prices are a bit on the expensive side compared to the US.

What Blu-ray's are exclusive to the U.S.?

And...

I just pre-ordered THE ENTITY from amazon.ca for $10.99. The same pre-order at amazon.com is $12.99

http://www.amazon.ca/Entity-BD-Blu-r...0063757&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/The-Entity-Blu...rds=the+entity

[Belloche]

Originally Posted by insomniac013

Yeah, but some Blu Ray's are exclusive to the US for whatever reason so there's little choice there.

Are BD's in Canada generally around the same price as the US? Because when i look at certain titles on AMZ.CA the prices are a bit on the expensive side compared to the US. (Though I dont know if AMZ is the best representation of the Canadian price point)

I can think of exactly one US exclusive Blu-ray that you can't get in Canada (US Walmart Poseidon Adventure). Unless you are talking about packaging variants or something. I'm sure there are a few titles, but you can get 99% of the same titles in Canada. If anything there are probably a few more titles you can only get in Canada.

Amazon.CA is overpriced for the most part. Like I said, our retail prices are comparable to the US. Their prices are a little lower, but not enough to really make a difference.

The one company that I normally import my Blu-rays from the US for is The Criterion Collection. Their discs are usually significantly more expensive here.

Enjoy your stay in Canada, and please do all the research you need to on the subject before you buy. I just wanted to offer some advice from someone who buys a lot of Canadian and US discs. I used to order from Amazon.com quite a bit, but their rates are pretty much double what they used to be.

[Dex Robinson]

Originally Posted by Belloche

I can think of exactly one US exclusive Blu-ray that you can't get in Canada (US Walmart Poseidon Adventure).

Yeah...I should qualify my earlier response and note that some of the STORE exclusives are TEMPORARILY exclusive to American stores. We see that for some titles at Walmart and Best Buy.

But those exclusives are always exclusive for only a limited period of time (usually about 6 months). Eventually, they always become available on the wider market.

It was like that with MAD....MAD WORLD which was a store exclusive for about 6 months before it became available at all outlets. The same will happen with THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE.

[insomniac013]

Once again, thanks for all the feedback!

Anyway, I noticed that A LOT of BD's released by Lionsgate and 21st Century Fox (among others) in the US, are being released in Canada under a company called Alliance Films.

Now, i own two BD's from Alliance (Vengeance Trilogy and Equilibrium) and they're in most angles better than their US counterparts! Is this the same with all Alliance releases or just a couple?

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

What Blu-ray's are exclusive to the U.S.?

One recent Blu Ray that comes to mind is A Trip To The Moon. Though it seems like most of the US "indie releases" rarely get released in other countries... How can a French silent film not be available in France? That's just stupid!

Originally Posted by Belloche

I can think of exactly one US exclusive Blu-ray that you can't get in Canada (US Walmart Poseidon Adventure). Unless you are talking about packaging variants or something. I'm sure there are a few titles, but you can get 99% of the same titles in Canada. If anything there are probably a few more titles you can only get in Canada.

Amazon.CA is overpriced for the most part. Like I said, our retail prices are comparable to the US. Their prices are a little lower, but not enough to really make a difference.

The one company that I normally import my Blu-rays from the US for is The Criterion Collection. Their discs are usually significantly more expensive here.

Can you order Criterion safely from the US to Canada? I want to get a bunch of thier BD's but like you say, the prices are pretty steep on Amazon.ca

Apart from Amazon, I keep hearing about the Future Shop. Are they any good?

I also found out that HMV (which is one of my favorite UK retailers) has a Canadian site! Awesome!

[Dex Robinson]

A TRIP TO THE MOON on Blu-ray is sold in Canada. Amazon.ca isn't currently stocking it themselves but they will fullfill orders from Grooveyard in BC and BuyCDNow in Ontario...as well as a couple of other American based companies. You can find this title on the amazon.ca site and add it to your cart.

Alliance releases a lot of titles and their releasing deals have varied over the years. Generally speaking, if an disc is released in Canada at the same time it's released in the United States, the discs will be identical. Alliance has released a lot of Newline stuff like LORD OF THE RINGS, HAIRSPRAY and so on...these are identical to the U.S. discs. Same with some Universal titles where Alliance released the same SHAUN OF THE DEAD disc as in the U.S.. The major difference involves the "Canadian exclusives" where Alliance releases a disc here that has not yet been released in the U.S. For those Canadian exclusives, quality varies so read reviews if possible.

Yes...with one exception...you can safely order Criterion discs from the U.S. I have done it myself. The only fly in the ointment is CERTAIN Criterion discs can't be imported into the province of Quebec....likely because of their fascist language laws. But for the normal part of Canada (everything NOT Quebec), there's no problem.

FUTURE SHOP is a very big retailer (owned by Best Buy). I've never used their online store but it's a good place to find discs in person.

HMV is a GREAT place if they have a local outlet. There is one at the mall here in Winnipeg. On the weekend, I bought 4 Blu-rays from $20.00 from them! Got PLEASANTVILLE, WINTER'S BONE, AN EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS and THE 5 DEADLY VENOMS. They also tend to carry more offbeat stuff...titles from Olive, Kino, Something Weird and such that you don't find at other stores.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Dex Robinson

A TRIP TO THE MOON on Blu-ray is sold in Canada. Amazon.ca isn't currently stocking it themselves but they will fullfill orders from Grooveyard in BC and BuyCDNow in Ontario...as well as a couple of other American based companies. You can find this title on the amazon.ca site and add it to your cart.

Alliance releases a lot of titles and their releasing deals have varied over the years. Generally speaking, if an disc is released in Canada at the same time it's released in the United States, the discs will be identical. Alliance has released a lot of Newline stuff like LORD OF THE RINGS, HAIRSPRAY and so on...these are identical to the U.S. discs. Same with some Universal titles where Alliance released the same SHAUN OF THE DEAD disc as in the U.S.. The major difference involves the "Canadian exclusives" where Alliance releases a disc here that has not yet been released in the U.S. For those Canadian exclusives, quality varies so read reviews if possible.

Yes...with one exception...you can safely order Criterion discs from the U.S. I have done it myself. The only fly in the ointment is CERTAIN Criterion discs can't be imported into the province of Quebec....likely because of their fascist language laws. But for the normal part of Canada (everything NOT Quebec), there's no problem.FUTURE SHOP is a very big retailer (owned by Best Buy). I've never used their online store but it's a good place to find discs in person.

HMV is a GREAT place if they have a local outlet. There is one at the mall here in Winnipeg. On the weekend, I bought 4 Blu-rays from $20.00 from them! Got PLEASANTVILLE, WINTER'S BONE, AN EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS and THE 5 DEADLY VENOMS. They also tend to carry more offbeat stuff...titles from Olive, Kino, Something Weird and such that you don't find at other stores.

Not true, P@T, a Criterion regular who lives in Montreal, is able to get several of those discs that supposedly can't go to Quebec.

And yes, Amazon.com is refunding import fees less and less, and their import fees and shipping costs have gone up in the past few months from my experience. They're no longer handing things over to Canada Post, and are using DHL Global for the whole order, which makes things really difficult to track now, and their service has really downgraded. I find I'm ordering less and less from them. B&N is slow, but they're still cheaper and more reliable as of late.

[Belloche]

Originally Posted by insomniac013

Can you order Criterion safely from the US to Canada? I want to get a bunch of thier BD's but like you say, the prices are pretty steep on Amazon.ca

Absolutely. Just make sure you hunt around a bit. Amazon.com is only one way to import discs from the US. See if there is a sale on while you're here. Barnes and Noble have a half price Criterion sale that should be coming up soon. Their shipping costs are far more reasonable than Amazon. The only problem is their shipping is very slow to Canada, so you may not want to go with them if you are worried about getting your movies before you leave the country.

[DBS]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

They're no longer handing things over to Canada Post, and are using DHL Global for the whole order, which makes things really difficult to track now, and their service has really downgraded..

My last order was shipped DHl Global Mail and handed off to Canada Post for local delivery. If you enter the tracking number into the DHL Global Mail site it gives you the partner tracking number which you can use on the Canada Post site.

[Doombear]

Canada Post is alright; I hate when DHL hands off to CanPar, which seems to take an extra week to get out of their Sorting Facility; I wonder why so slow?

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by insomniac013

Oh, so you pay a deposit for Amazon.com and you can import freely? Wow, i wish they did with Denmark!

it is more than just that, but Amzon.com has a special surcharge to couver any taxes that might be charged at customs. Depending on where you live in Canada the taxes you will need to pay are different, plus I think Amazon over charges in general. So that surcharge can be

Are BD's in Canada generally around the same price as the US? Because when i look at certain titles on AMZ.CA the prices are a bit on the expensive side compared to the US. (Though I dont know if AMZ is the best representation of the Canadian price point)

no they are generally more expensive (like you noticed). what they are talking about is that if you go to amazon.ca, or bestbuy.ca or futureshop.ca if you spend more than a certain amount shipping (in Canada) is free and if you go in a store then again there is no shipping. On the other hand if you buy from Amazon.com, you are charged 5$+3$/item + surcharge(for taxes/duty that might be collected at tthe border) while if you buy from a Canadian source it is just taxes. So if the difference is not much more than 8$ for one item or 11$ if for two items or 14$ for three..... it does not make sense to go with .com because of shipping. right if a title on .com and the title is 20$ and you go to .ca and it is 25$ you will pay 25$+tax on.ca, while you will pay 28$+tax on .com plus get dinged twice on the exchange (i.e. it will be 28+tax+ overcharge in US$ and then several months later you will get the overcharge back in US$ but since your CC is CAD and not USD they charge an exchange rate.)

Thanks for the help, guys! I will definitely look back on this thread come July.
(Can't wait to see that gorgeous Canadian nature in person! )

so where will you be going

PS you said you are from Denmark, you do realize Canada and the US are R1 while Denmark is R2

[junyab]

If you're going to use amazon.com for orders coming to Canada, and keeping the orders under $60 isn't a problem, you can have it marked as a gift, and the import fees you pay will be reimbursed.