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

[Luis_A51]

Originally Posted by jwbbud

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           

Thats a horrible price even before that fee, why bother ordering Iron man? Or were you just doing an experiment?

[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?

[CheapChildren]

Originally Posted by 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.

That certainly stinks. Is it for each item or just a flat fee?

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by CheapChildren

That certainly stinks. Is it for each item or just a flat fee?

Per item and based on price (and maybe weight). So for a $80 set the fee is a lot higher than for a regular $28 movie.

[Blu4me]

well collected Sleeping Beauty today no fees but it was just one item costing less than 30USD it shipped on the 17th ...

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by Blu4me

well collected Sleeping Beauty today no fees but it was just one item costing less than 30USD it shipped on the 17th ...

Packaging looked the same and it came to you via Canada Post?

If so that sounds promising. Was the order placed before oct 15?

[Blu4me]

Originally Posted by Jimbo976

Packaging looked the same and it came to you via Canada Post?

If so that sounds promising. Was the order placed before oct 15?

yes the order was before the 15th part of the B2G1 deal. the package was from KY,USA and shipped via Canada Post ...

[jvoorhees]

Yeah its crap they added that there all of a sudden... I always use to order from them... just so I can get cases with JUST english on them... and no french But not anymore...

[dialog_gvf]

Anyone received an order under the new method?

I've been reading people with pre-orders made before the new fee, are getting shipments without any additional fee (i.e. just like before).

Gary