Canadians: Amazon.com adds "Import Fees Deposit" ?

[dialog_gvf]

Has anyone noticed a new line item appearing on their Amazon.com Order Summary at checkout?

Items:  $52.90  
Shipping & Handling:  $10.97  
Promotion Applied  -$1.35  
    
Total Before Tax:  $62.52  
Estimated Tax:  $0.00  
Import Fees Deposit  $7.14  
 
Order Total: $69.66

I have ordered well over 200 Blu-ray from Amazon.com over the last two years, and I've never seen anything like this, nor have I been charged any kind of import fee, duty or tax on any order by anyone in the US or Canada.

[InfectedStranger]

I can tell by your collection how many you've bought. You must be RICH!

[dialog_gvf]

At the bottom of the Order Summary page:

ALL ITEMS IN THIS ORDER ARE SOLD BY AMAZON EXPORT SALES, INC. (AES), UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. BY PLACING YOUR ORDER, YOU AUTHORIZE AES TO DESIGNATE A CARRIER TO CLEAR THE PACKAGE AND PAY THE IMPORT FEES ON YOUR (OR THE RECIPIENT'S) BEHALF. CUSTOMS DECLARATIONS WILL BE MADE IN THE NAME AND ON THE BEHALF OF YOUR (OR THE RECIPIENT'S) BEHALF BY THE DESIGNATED CARRIER. YOU CAN FIND THE COMPLETE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF YOUR ORDER [HERE]

Terms and Conditions

Each item in your order is sold by Amazon Export Sales, Inc. ("Amazon Export") or the merchant that the item is specified as sold by ("Merchant"). Those items for shipment to countries outside of the U.S. may be subject to taxes, customs duties and fees levied by the destination country ("Import Fees"). The recipient of the shipment is the importer of record in the destination country and is responsible for all Import Fees.

With respect to each item for which Import Fees have been calculated, you authorize Amazon Export or Merchant (as applicable) to designate a carrier ("Designated Carrier") to act as your agent with the relevant customs and tax authorities in the destination country, to clear your merchandise, process and remit your actual Import Fees for such item.

"Import Fees Deposit" represents an estimate of the Import Fees that will be levied on the items in your order for shipment to countries outside of the US. By placing your order, you agree to allow Amazon Export and/or Merchant (as applicable) to collect the Import Fees Deposit for the applicable items in your order. This deposit will be used, on your behalf, to reimburse the Designated Carriers for the import fees that they have paid on your behalf to the appropriate authorities of the destination country.

You further agree that the Designated Carriers may disclose to Amazon Export or Merchant (as applicable) the amount of actual Import Fees levied on the item you have purchased from Amazon Export and/or Merchant ("Actual Import Fees"). In the event that the Import Fees Deposit exceeds the Actual Import Fees, Amazon Export or Merchant (as applicable) will refund the difference to you.

In the case of gifts or other purchases made on behalf of another recipient, you also agree to grant the foregoing authorizations on behalf of the recipient designated in your order.

To obtain details regarding the Actual Import Fees, or to obtain documentation or receipts in connection with customs clearance, you may contact the Carrier specified in your shipment confirmation e-mail.

These terms and conditions are in addition to the standard Conditions of Use of the Amazon website. Pursuant to those terms, title and risk of loss for the items transfer to the recipient upon delivery to the common carrier in the United States.

Please note that Merchants participating in the International Direct program may have policies that differ from Amazon Export's terms and conditions. For items you have purchased from a Merchant, please see the applicable Merchant's policies for any other terms and conditions that may apply to your purchase of such items.

Limitations

For products shipped internationally, please note that any manufacturer warranty may not be valid; manufacturer service options may not be available; product manuals, instructions and safety warnings may not be in destination country languages; the products (and accompanying materials) may not be designed in accordance with destination country standards, specifications, and labeling requirements; and the products may not conform to destination country voltage and other electrical standards (requiring use of an adapter or converter if appropriate). You are responsible for assuring that the product can be lawfully imported to the destination country. When ordering from Amazon.com, the recipient is the importer of record and must comply with all laws and regulations of the destination country.

[Zman2k2]

I've got Band of Brothers on pre-order from amazon.com. I just checked my pre-order status, and it doesn't mention this new charge. I'm worried now. This would suck if they ding me for "Import Fees", but is there anything I can do to check? I don't think so, just wait and see, right?

[Kage99]

Someone must have pointed out the amazon.com duty free loop hole to CRA and they were forced to change it. But is it worth ordering from Amazon.com now that the Canadian dollar is at 84 US? With the conversion and the shipping fees, youre not going to be coming out ahead too often.

Kage99.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

I've got Band of Brothers on pre-order from amazon.com. I just checked my pre-order status, and it doesn't mention this new charge. I'm worried now. This would suck if they ding me for "Import Fees", but is there anything I can do to check? I don't think so, just wait and see, right?

Good point. I have it on pre-order myself.

I would think that would constitute a change of the contract that was agreed upon at the pre-order point. I can't see them being able to simply add a new charge without permission.

However, if this constitutes a new carrier (e.g. a move to the notorious UPS) or a new policy of DHL GlobalMail (which is what mine have been shipped under), then they could demand the fees COD.

Gary

[space2001]

Gary when did you do this order?

all my pre-orders don't have this.

hopefully they don't start charging this.

[jw]

I just tried placing an order to a canadian address and they DO add fees. I tried iron Man

Items:$25.95
Shipping & Handling:$7.98 
Total Before Tax:$33.93
Estimated Tax:$0.00
Import Fees Deposit$3.77                                                                        Order Total:  $37.70           

[actyper]

Problem is according to the t&cs, this should only apply on priority service shipments. I think they still have to work out some bugs

[hc666]

Well I will no longer be buying from amazon then. Not with the dollar and this new fee.

[dialog_gvf]

Response from Amazon (form letter, how touching):

Hello from Amazon.com.

Please accept my sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused in this regard.

As you may know, orders that are shipped to countries outside the U.S. may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and fees charged by the destination country.

For your convenience, Amazon Export Sales will estimate and collect an Import Fees Deposit to certain destination countries. These funds will be used by the carrier or another agent to pay the Import Fees on your behalf to the appropriate authorities when your package reaches the destination country. The estimated Import Fees Deposit will be displayed in the cost summary on the last page of our online order form, just before you submit your order.

Effective October 15, 2008, Amazon Export Sales will estimate and collect an Import Fees Deposit for orders destined to Canadian addresses. Previously, Amazon was unable to provide customers an import fees estimate for all shipping options. A system enhancement now allows us to provide an import fees estimate and facilitate the import clearance process through the shipment carrier.

Customer feedback like yours really helps us continue to improve our store and provide better service to our customers.

I've included some more information about the Import Fees Deposit below. I hope this information is helpful.

Thank you for shopping at Amazon.com.

*****

WHICH COUNTRIES ARE SUBJECT TO AN IMPORT FEES DEPOSIT ON PRIORITY SHIPMENTS?

Currently, we will estimate and collect an Import Fees Deposit on Priority shipments to Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, , Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

*****

WHY ARE YOU CHARGING ME AN EXTRA FEE FOR SHIPPING TO MY COUNTRY?

These fees are normally charged by your local customs authority when your package is cleared into your country. We are simply making it more convenient by facilitating the payment from you to the carrier who has remitted these fees on your behalf. If Amazon does not estimated an Import Fees Deposit at order checkout, the order recipient is still responsible for payment of any importation fees levied by local authorities.

How many of you ever had any import fee charged by Canada or the carrier for an Amazon.com order?

Gary

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by space2001

Gary when did you do this order?

all my pre-orders don't have this.

hopefully they don't start charging this.

Just last night. I've asked about pre-orders. I'll post the response.

Gary

[jw]

but I thought the usps didnt charge these fees and they had amicable agreements for the "mail swap"

[Zman2k2]

Sounds to me like they are changing carriers. I know that UPS is infamous for charging stupid amounts on any and every package that crosses the border. It was mentioned earlier in this thread as well. Can anyone confirm this? Are they moving to UPS from Canada Post?

[delavoie]

From http://www.buyusa.gov/canada/en/50.html

Most products that are sent to a Canadian and worth CDN$20 or less are not subject to duties or taxes. Exceptions to this exemption include: tobacco, books, periodicals, magazines, alcohol, and goods ordered through a Canadian post office box or intermediary. Items valued at more than $20 are subject to GST, HST and PST, as well as duties if the goods are not manufactured in North America.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

Sounds to me like they are changing carriers. I know that UPS is infamous for charging stupid amounts on any and every package that crosses the border. It was mentioned earlier in this thread as well. Can anyone confirm this? Are they moving to UPS from Canada Post?

I'm thinking the same thing. I've asked about that too.

As you may know, orders that are shipped to countries outside the U.S. may be subject to import taxes, customs duties, and fees charged by the destination country.

May --> Definitely will

[delavoie]

Just buy 1 blu-ray at a time.. if it's under $20 they are not suppose to charge duty on it. .Anything under $20 is duty free.
Anything under $60 can be sent as a gift duty free also.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by delavoie

Just buy 1 blu-ray at a time.. if it's under $20 they are not suppose to charge duty on it. .Anything under $20 is duty free.
Anything under $60 can be sent as a gift duty free also.

I believe books, magazines and videos are duty and tax free under NAFTA.

But, I can confirm that under $20 doesn't have it:

Items:  $9.99  
Shipping & Handling:  $7.98  
    
Total Before Tax:  $17.97  
Estimated Tax:  $0.00  
 
Order Total: $17.97

But, under $20 including the shipping. Which is pretty much impossible for Blu-ray at this point.

Items:  $15.95  
Shipping & Handling:  $7.98  
Promotion Applied  -$0.80  
    
Total Before Tax:  $23.13  
Estimated Tax:  $0.00  
Import Fees Deposit  $2.43  
 
Order Total: $25.56

Gary

[deathmachine]

Aren't the books and DVD's being shipped out of Ontario to begin with? I'm not paying import fees for something shipping from Scarborough! I guess I'm sticking to Amazon.ca from now on.

How disapointing.

[jw]

Heres my guess as we all know the usps tracking blows here as there is none, people are claiming non receipt and Amazon is cracking down and going to a trackable method. I guarantee thats why.