Canada Customs overcharged me for duties/taxes for my WLT order :(

[richyrich]

Hello,

I ordered 5 lbs of tobacco from WLT just before Christmas. After having my package being held in customs in Toronto for a month it was finally released but when the delivery guy showed up with it he said I had to pay $1400 CAD! Obviously Canada customs didn't bother to read the paperwork that was attached to the package showing the tax code to follow.
I showed the delivery guy the attached paperwork and said I wanted to send it back to customs for reassessment. He told me he "doesn't know anything about that" he said if you are refusing the package then we just return the package back to the sender. He said if I wanted to have it re-assessed that I'd have to pay the fees, then send it in myself for reassessment. I told him that didn't sound right and that I couldn't pay the $1400 so he left with the package.
I then contacted Canada Post, explained the situation and the lady reiterated what the delivery guy said, saying I'd have to come to the post office, pick up a dispute form and send it back to customs for re-assessment. Again, that would have required me to pay the fees to take possession of the package and do this. So it seems I'm stuck in loop of incompetence with Canada Post not knowing how the process is supposed to work.

I contacted WLT explained the situation and received an email back from Don this morning who also did not understand why they couldn't just send the package back for re-assessment, instead of returning the package back to them. He said if it it's returned back to them, that they would send it back to me but I would have to pay for shipping again. Frustrating, but understandable as they did their job by shipping it with proper paperwork. I'm worried that if I pay for it to be shipped back, that the same thing is going to happen again and I will be out of pocket twice for shipping.

Are there any Canadians here that have had this problem and how you were able to get your package sent back to customs instead of having it sent back to WLT?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum. You may wish to scan through the topics in our Index of Key Forum Threads, linked in the menu bar.

Hopefully, one or more of our many Canadian members can offer you suggestions about the customs issue.

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I'd have to come to the post office, pick up a dispute form and send it back to customs for re-assessment.

I have never had this problem. This should be sorted out at the post office. They need not send it back to Ohio. Just to customs. They get disputes all the time for things other than tobacco so they should know what to do there. It is understandable that the postman doesn't know about the process. You will have better results at the post office.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

1. After refusing delivery, ask Canada Post to return the goods to the CBSA.
2. Canada Post will take your telephone number, provide you with a form and return your parcel to the CBSA.
3. The CBSA will contact you to discuss the assessment.
   
   1. If the CBSA decides no duty or taxes are owed, Canada Post will deliver your parcel;
   2. If the CBSA decides duty and taxes are owed, they must be paid when Canada Post delivers your parcel.

Importing by mail or courier - Disputing duty and taxes

When you receive your goods, there will be a form E14, CBSA Postal Import Form attached. This form will indicate the amount of duty and taxes you owe.

www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

 

[Alpine]

Welcome to FTT

pier

 

[stdly]

Welcome, wow that sucks, I have never had this problem.
It usually cost me around $25-$30 for the 5 pounds, depending on the cost of the baccy.

 

[treecutter]

That is my main worry whenever I put in an order from WLT - that customs will get it wrong. There is a lot of incompetency over here and anti tobacco sentiment. You may have gotten a tobacco hater.
I purchased a tin of Irish Flake which in the past always showed up in my mailbox with out any charges as it only cost $10.99, however this time it went to the post office and they wanted $45.00 for my $10.99 purchase in taxes and duty which would make the price of the tin $55.99 not even factoring the exchange rate and the cost of shipping. So I just let them send it back and lost the purchase price and vowed to never buy tinned tobacco again, plus now I only smoke WLT as I can't stand commercial tobacco.

 

[BCgoatfarmer]

I'm currently having the same issue. First order, so I cant help but to be a bit discouraged. Hopefully having a good relationship with the local post staff here will help get the package sent back to customs. Not excited to have to pay the extra shipping for customs to fix their mistake

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I've never heard of anyone having to pay the post office for reassessment. I don't think that's accurate.

 

[stdly]

It is customs that charged the extra money and not the local post office.
Where did it go through customs Toronto or Montreal?
If the Irish Flake is marked as tobacco then yes you will get charged.
I think once they see you trying to import processed tobacco you are on a sort of list and they might watch you closer.
Maybe I’m paranoid but when I first started buying from WLT I would sometimes get charged. I was ordering some bulk blend from the USA at the same time and they realized. I have paid customs on every WLT order since but $30 on 5 pound is peanuts.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I think this may be a trend in British Columbia.

 

[BCgoatfarmer]

I think this may be a trend in British Columbia.

That fits. Perhaps it's normal for a canadian citizen to feel the provincial govt wants to acquire as much of their money as it can****.

 

[treecutter]

It is customs that charged the extra money and not the local post office.
Where did it go through customs Toronto or Montreal?
If the Irish Flake is marked as tobacco then yes you will get charged.
I think once they see you trying to import processed tobacco you are on a sort of list and they might watch you closer.
Maybe I’m paranoid but when I first started buying from WLT I would sometimes get charged. I was ordering some bulk blend from the USA at the same time and they realized. I have paid customs on every WLT order since but $30 on 5 pound is peanuts.

I've bought about 50 or so tins over the years, one at a time to stay below the radar. The few times perhaps less than 5 times I was charged $20. $10 was for the taxes and another 10 for customs to do their paper work. Usually a 50 gram tin always would show up at my mailbox, but on bad occasions it went to the post office with a notice to pick it up and pay the fees. ( I live 20 miles from the post office ) A tin at Smokingpipes was about $8.99 and shipping was another $3.99 ( SM calls it super saver shipping ) so for $13 to $17 customs probably did not think it was worth the paper work and things worked out pretty well until lately. A 50 gram tin today bought in Canada is $50 - $70 plus tax ( 13% ) plus shipping. I do not think they like tobacco smokers here.

 

[BCgoatfarmer]

Sorry to the mods for getting into it with the politics. I'll mind my manners henceforth.

I went to the post office today, the staff was helpful and accommodating as always. Package will be sent back to CBSA in Richmond on Monday (missed the mail float plane today)

 

[richyrich]

Thank you all for the advice. Unfortunately they sent the package back to WLT and I can't stop it. So I'll have to get it sent back and if it happens again and the delivery guy doesn't know the protocol to having it sent back for re-assessment, I will have him take it to the post office and I will go there and make sure it's dealt with properly.

I just want to say that the people I've been corresponding with at WLT have been nothing but sympathetic, kind and helpful. I don't want to discourage any Canadians from ordering. Just be aware that this could happen and be prepared and know what to do. I was caught off guard as my previous order arrived at my door no issues at all. If they mark it as you refused it Canada Post sends it back to WLT. I would just tell them to take it back to the post office and deal with it there.

 

[pottsS]

Thank you all for the advice. Unfortunately they sent the package back to WLT and I can't stop it. So I'll have to get it sent back and if it happens again and the delivery guy doesn't know the protocol to having it sent back for re-assessment, I will have him take it to the post office and I will go there and make sure it's dealt with properly.

I just want to say that the people I've been corresponding with at WLT have been nothing but sympathetic, kind and helpful. I don't want to discourage any Canadians from ordering. Just be aware that this could happen and be prepared and know what to do. I was caught off guard as my previous order arrived at my door no issues at all. If they mark it as you refused it Canada Post sends it back to WLT. I would just tell them to take it back to the post office and deal with it there.

I learned a lot from your post. So far in the 4 years or so I've been ordering I've had a few customs delays but no issues. I'm always a little scared tho!

 

[pottsS]

20 years ago we tried to cross back to Canada with a kitten that had found us. Mom said we could...and she should know since Mom and Dad had been crossing the border to spend their summers in Montana for several years, crossing sometimes three or four times in a year always with the cat. The customs officer instantly honed in on the kitten, he wasn't interested in our receipts and lists at all...just the kitten and since I didn't have the proper documents we were turned back. We had to go back through US customs, the customs officer had quite a chuckle...had never had anyone get turned back for a cat! So next day on sunday we tracked down a vet who was putting up hay just out of town, he did a check and all the vaccines and we headed back to the border. The border guard the next day couldn't have cared less about the kitten, didn't even glance at our expensive paperwork...just the usual "where you going? where you been? Are you bringing any fruit back? Have a nice day!" I know the customs officers all have the same job...but there's always one you'd rather avoid! Sorry that it extended to the same at Canada post too! We still have the cat, he really showing his age!

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Thank you all for the advice. Unfortunately they sent the package back to WLT and I can't stop it. So I'll have to get it sent back and if it happens again and the delivery guy doesn't know the protocol to having it sent back for re-assessment, I will have him take it to the post office and I will go there and make sure it's dealt with properly.

I just want to say that the people I've been corresponding with at WLT have been nothing but sympathetic, kind and helpful. I don't want to discourage any Canadians from ordering. Just be aware that this could happen and be prepared and know what to do. I was caught off guard as my previous order arrived at my door no issues at all. If they mark it as you refused it Canada Post sends it back to WLT. I would just tell them to take it back to the post office and deal with it there.

I have never had my packages delivered to my home. They always go to the post office if there is duty to be payed. I think a part of what happened for you is the delivery guy should have taken it to the post office rather than the warehouse after you declined it.

My suggestion is that as soon as you can, which is probably after USPS hands it over to CP, go in and change your delivery preference to post office.

I sent a package to BC recently and they did that and they still tried to deliver it to her superbox, so I don't know if that will work. Sounds like CP has regional idiosyncrasies.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

If you follow the tracking number, you can sometimes see what the duty is. If it's assessed wrong. Don't answer the door/don't be home. It will have to go to the post office for pickup

 

[stdly]

The duty fees usually show up on the CP traking page a day or two ahead of delivery and you can change the delivery preference at that time.
Like I said I have never been charged more than $30 so I always set delivery to my front door and pay the duty online.
If I saw $1400 then yes send to the post office.