Buying RAM from the U.S. (I live in Toronto, Ontario)

[Canadian Editor]

I'm new to the Apple world and recently bought a used PowerMac. So, sorry for my ignorance. I have some questions about ordering RAM from the U.S. I've searched the forum for answers, but to no avail.

1) Has anyone in Toronto ordered RAM from the U.S.? If so, what have you paid in duties? Crucial is offering a discount on RAM that's suitable for my PowerMac (about $191 US), but I've never ordered from the US before. I'm just scared I'll be hit with some ridiculous duty.

2) What other fees should I expect?

3) Is there a store in Canada that's just as reputable and competitive in terms of price?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[CanadaRAM]

To import RAM, you need to consider:

Shipping: (usually higher to Canada, sometimes US$25, or US$45 for Expedited or Overnight)
Exchange: 4% more than official. Your bank takes 2% profit over the official rate. Then your charge card takes 2% - 2.5% more. So if you thought the rate was 1.12, its really 1.16 that you will pay on your cc bill.
Tax: You will usually pay both your Provincial tax and GST on import (will vary by Prov., of course).
Customs brokerage: If you are lucky enough to have a vendor that will ship US Postal Service, you will pay CanadaPost $8 handling fee when it is delivered. If you are gullible enough to let them ship UPS Standard (for that nice low $14 shipping charge) prepare yourself for brokerage fees of $20 - $40 from UPS (on top of the taxes)
Warranty: If the RAM arrives defective or you have a warranty issue, most US vendors will force you to pay for international shipping to send it back, which can add another $20+ to the costs.

If you look around a little bit <cough> you will find a number of reputable Canadian firms who will offer lifetime warranty, fair prices, Canadian $ billing, Canadian warranty fulfillment, money back guarantees, free 2-way DOA shipping, and no customs brokerage.

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[skunk]

If you look around a little bit <cough> you will find a number of reputable Canadian firms who will offer lifetime warranty, fair prices, Canadian $ billing, Canadian warranty fulfillment, money back guarantees, free 2-way DOA shipping, and no customs brokerage.

You really should get that cough seen to, you know.

 

[Canadian Editor]

Thanks Trevor for responding.

In your posting, there was no mention of duties. Does that mean there's no duty on RAM from the U.S.? Or is it simply covered under the brokerage fee you mentioned?

Thanks again for your time. I'm going to look around now for some Canadian dealers <cough, cough >.

 

[dornoforpyros]

Of the times I've ordered from crucial (sorry CanadaRam, I find your site kinda...*ahem* messy) I don't think I've paid more than $20 duty which you can pay directly to Canada Post when you claim your package.

The shipping time from crucial has always been great as well, 2-3 days.

 

[Danksi]

I don't think I've paid more than $20 duty ....

Do you lot pay any taxes in AB?

 

[CanadaRAM]

AB is the only province that pays GST only.

There is no duty on RAM made in the USA, however on other products, it depends on the product and country of manufacture. If it is made outside USA and Mexico, it does not fall under NAFTA, regardless if it is bought from a US seller.

A Dell LCD monitor, for example, bought from the US on eBay but which is made in China, gets 6.9% (IIRC) Duty. Taxes are then charged on the duty-paid value. So a US$100 item is say, CAN$112, add 6.9% = $119.73, plus GST and PST (13% total in BC for example) = $135.29, plus whatever the brokerage fee is, typically $8 to $16 on a $100 item. Then there is the $4.50 or so the charge card company takes as profit on the exchange, So a dutiable $100 item ends up at CAN$147 to $156, plus shipping (plus GST on the shipping and brokerage charges).

 

[dornoforpyros]

Do you lot pay any taxes in AB?

haha oh yeah, I keep forgetting the lack of PST here, I only remember it when I visit my rents in Manitoba again and go to buy something