What is this import deposit from amazon

exo · 01-17-2010, 10:52 AM

I am in Canada and I see an import deposit on the checkout page. what is it? Is it refundable? how come there is a shipping charge even though the kindle costs more than $39 CAD?

Jonas777 · 01-17-2010, 11:00 AM

About import deposit: check your law book. Many countries has laws about fee on imported goods or VAT or something similar. Usually you don't see that since your store already has paid it. Maybe someone from Canada can help with a specific answer?

Pardoz · 01-17-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exo

I am in Canada and I see an import deposit on the checkout page. what is it? Is it refundable?

Customs/duty plus GST (you didn't think that just because Canada and the US have a 'free trade' agreement in place that we puny consumers wouldn't get shafted for customs duty, did you?). Sadly non-refundable (well, unless Amazon grossly overestimated the applicable duties, in which case they'll refund the difference).

Quote:

how come there is a shipping charge even though the kindle costs more than $39 CAD?

Free shipping is only on regular shipping, Kindles ship Priority. The advantage is your package is insured and trackable, the disadvantage is that it costs more.

Pushka · 01-17-2010, 04:55 PM

It is your country imposing a tax, not Amazon. And only people living in the US get free shipping. For some weird reason, Australians arent being charged - I wonder of the more expensive DX will be though - our customs are usually extremely tough.

SensualPoet · 01-17-2010, 07:33 PM

All sales from Amazon.com have shipping charges to Canada. The Kindle is not sold through any of the regional sites such as Amazon.ca. Shipping includes GST, etc. On the plus side, shipping is really fast -- mine arrived next day -- and that included clearing customs and having Canada Post chap knock on my door.

exo · 01-18-2010, 10:19 PM

I would much rather have free shipping given what they are charging for it.

time4mercy · 01-19-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exo

I would much rather have free shipping given what they are charging for it.

Betcha wouldn't say that if it got lost in the mail. . .

And having Amazon charge you up front is much better than having it go through a customs broker who may charge $$$ for their services.

SensualPoet · 01-19-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exo

I would much rather have free shipping given what they are charging for it.

I'd prefer free shipping but that's not the point.

Amazon has free shipping on a regional basis. If you buy through amazon.com, it's free shipping within the US. If you buy through amazon.ca, it's free shipping within Canada. Repeat for amazon co.uk, .de, .jp etc.

The Kindle is ONLY sold through the US division and hence shipping rules apply equally. The next step is to get Amazon to start selling the Kindle regionally -- including content through amazon.ca. (Currently all content must be bought on the US site only.)

grownupboy · 01-19-2010, 03:53 PM

i was surprised that this import deposit included all brokerage fees and canadian taxes at the border. worked out much less than i thought it would!

looks like by paying in advance they're avoiding all kinds of red tape - the kindle arives virtually next day and you don't have any other expenses when the device arives. don't even sweat this one!

g

fugazied · 01-19-2010, 05:26 PM

If I was in Canada I would attempt to make a US friend and get it shipped there! Pop over the border for a holiday to pickup. Easy.

SensualPoet · 01-21-2010, 07:36 PM

Honestly, what is wrong with just using the regular channels? Is everyone here so hard up they are trying to save $5? It's possible to order the Kindle 2 with US credit cards or ship to Wisconsin and have someone re-ship it to Canada, or declare it as a gift, or see what sort of deal you can get on Craigslist and drive to a nearby city to pick it up, etc., etc. ... or just buy it, as is, from Amazon.com and get the benefit of full warranty, delivery rules, pricing, etc.

Amazon does a pretty great job, imo, of fulfillment. And, FWIW, they sent me a US$20 refund on delivery to Canada. I bought it at 3:30 pm Nov 19 and it was handed over by a delivery person at my front door Nov 20 at 1 pm -- 22 hrs later -- in Toronto. I simply paid the charge asked for. A few weeks later I got a $20 refund. No muss, no fuss.

Really, why complicate life?

01-17-2010, 10:52 AM	#1
exo Member Posts: 19 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	What is this import deposit from amazon I am in Canada and I see an import deposit on the checkout page. what is it? Is it refundable? how come there is a shipping charge even though the kindle costs more than $39 CAD?

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01-17-2010, 11:00 AM	#2
Jonas777 Groupie Posts: 153 Karma: 364 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Amazon Kindle 2 Intl	About import deposit: check your law book. Many countries has laws about fee on imported goods or VAT or something similar. Usually you don't see that since your store already has paid it. Maybe someone from Canada can help with a specific answer?

01-17-2010, 04:55 PM	#4
Pushka Wizard Posts: 1,119 Karma: 1019140 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Device: kindle, Ipad, Iphone, Nexus and PPW	It is your country imposing a tax, not Amazon. And only people living in the US get free shipping. For some weird reason, Australians arent being charged - I wonder of the more expensive DX will be though - our customs are usually extremely tough.

01-17-2010, 07:33 PM	#5
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	All sales from Amazon.com have shipping charges to Canada. The Kindle is not sold through any of the regional sites such as Amazon.ca. Shipping includes GST, etc. On the plus side, shipping is really fast -- mine arrived next day -- and that included clearing customs and having Canada Post chap knock on my door.

01-18-2010, 10:19 PM	#6
exo Member Posts: 19 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: none	I would much rather have free shipping given what they are charging for it.

01-19-2010, 03:53 PM	#9
grownupboy Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 90 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: kindle	i was surprised that this import deposit included all brokerage fees and canadian taxes at the border. worked out much less than i thought it would! looks like by paying in advance they're avoiding all kinds of red tape - the kindle arives virtually next day and you don't have any other expenses when the device arives. don't even sweat this one! g

01-19-2010, 05:26 PM	#10
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	If I was in Canada I would attempt to make a US friend and get it shipped there! Pop over the border for a holiday to pickup. Easy.

01-21-2010, 07:36 PM	#11
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	Honestly, what is wrong with just using the regular channels? Is everyone here so hard up they are trying to save $5? It's possible to order the Kindle 2 with US credit cards or ship to Wisconsin and have someone re-ship it to Canada, or declare it as a gift, or see what sort of deal you can get on Craigslist and drive to a nearby city to pick it up, etc., etc. ... or just buy it, as is, from Amazon.com and get the benefit of full warranty, delivery rules, pricing, etc. Amazon does a pretty great job, imo, of fulfillment. And, FWIW, they sent me a US$20 refund on delivery to Canada. I bought it at 3:30 pm Nov 19 and it was handed over by a delivery person at my front door Nov 20 at 1 pm -- 22 hrs later -- in Toronto. I simply paid the charge asked for. A few weeks later I got a $20 refund. No muss, no fuss. Really, why complicate life?