UPDATE: Jewelry is not subject to the new tariffs, but many goods you might purchase from other artists are.
However, I do want to let my Canadian customers know that I talked to CBSA Border Information Service today, and I was informed that any item coming into Canada through the mail, and valued over $20 CAD can be/is subject to a provincial tax. For example, if you are in Quebec, you might be charged the 15% tax, plus the handling fee of $9.95 CAD. I say "can be" and "might" because as the person at CBSA told me, it is not automatic, and it is pretty much up to the customs agent to catch it and decide to act on it. Perhaps with the increased scrutiny over items coming in under the new tariffs, it might be caught more now than in the past.
I will be adding this information to the Small Print page.
If you have any questions (or more information), please don't hesitate to contact me.
*****
Dear Canadians,
First, let me apologize for our president. I don't know what else to say in that regard, but he has started a bit of a mess we need to talk about. The trade war.
Recently, a Canadian customer informed me that he had to pay a surtax, and processing fee, for a ring they had purchased from me. I had never had any other customers from Canada mention a surtax, so I thought this was odd. I mentioned to my husband that I wonder if it has to do with the tariffs we had imposed on Canada. Nailed it.*
From the Canada Border Services Agency:
Starting July 1, 2018, certain goods originating from the U.S. are subject to a surtax that will apply to commercial shipments as well as goods being imported by travellers above their personal exemptions. The list of goods is available on the Department of Finance website. For more information, please refer to Customs Notice 18-08, Memorandum D16-1-1 and Frequently Asked Questions."
Source: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/menu-eng.html
And this message from the Department of Finance Canada:
On May 31, 2018, the United States (U.S.) announced tariffs on imports of certain steel and aluminum products from Canada at the rates of 25% and 10%, respectively.
Taking into consideration feedback received from Canadians through over 1,000 submissions during public consultations, on July 1, 2018, Canada will impose countermeasures (surtaxes) against C$16.6 billion in imports of steel, aluminum, and other products from the U.S., representing the value of 2017 Canadian exports affected by the U.S. tariffs.
The list of products in Tables 1, 2 and 3 below were drawn from original lists released for public consultation on May 31, 2018."
Source: https://www.fin.gc.ca/access/tt-it/cacsap-cmpcaa-1-eng.asp
I am trying to figure out where my jewelry fits into all of this. I don't see precious metals on the lists, but fiber tools are on the "other" list. Clearly, customs decided my gauge ring was taxable now, but was that a fluke, or a new reality?
I will try to get some answers, so that I can better inform you of the real costs or buying from me. I am so sorry for this inconvenience. I don't talk about politics much around here, but let me assure you, I am not a supporter of our current administration, and I am angry that his pettiness is causing this problem.
*I didn't quite nail it, but I am still sorry many other goods you might want are on the list.
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