Is it normal to pay a duty on aircraft parts imported in to the US? I was just notified by a customer that he had to pay a duty to pick up a kit from the post office. I had no idea so I'm trying to figure out if it is normal.

AEROPOD wrote:Is it normal to pay a duty on aircraft parts imported in to the US? I was just notified by a customer that he had to pay a duty to pick up a kit from the post office. I had no idea so I'm trying to figure out if it is normal.

No, we don't pay import duties on aircraft parts coming from the US into Canada. Aircraft parts are exempt from duties, but it had to be clearly labeled as such.

As said, not so much duty, but probably all the other fee's. Items shipped standard postal ground usually come through with just standard gst owing, if anything. I have fought multiple times with people/companies trying to force air mail saying it will be so much faster. Well it isn't, air shipments go through the fine tooth comb at customs and are usually opened before being released, adding usually 3-5 days. Ground is faster 99% of the time. The big problem is courier shipping - Then it goes nuts - Brokerage fees, prep fees, etc. I try to only order from companies that will ship postal - most won't unfortunately as you have to send someone to the post office - they like courier pickup. My last stupid purchase was a $200 booster from antigravity batteries, they shipped fedex from the US, then fedex hands it over to Canada post - I had $97 worth of brokerage charges on that $200 purchase - outright rip off - plus was charged $40 for the shipping. Nice touch was I picked up the booster at the post office with nothing owing, then a week later got the fedex letter wanting that outrageous amount of money.

As other's have said; no duties northbound if clearly labeled as Aircraft Parts, an AOG sticker helps as well and stick to ground transportation. If its an option ship thru USPS to Canada Post, no FEDUP or other commercial entity.

I used to get parts for the farm and aircraft shipped to a guy in Havre Mt when we were allowed to leave the country. Free freight and usually over night shipping to Havre then drive down and pick it up. Airplane parts no problem Ag parts a pain in the but to get across lots of paper work and taxes on certain items.

Mark Y. wrote:As said, not so much duty, but probably all the other fee's. Items shipped standard postal ground usually come through with just standard gst owing, if anything. I have fought multiple times with people/companies trying to force air mail saying it will be so much faster. Well it isn't, air shipments go through the fine tooth comb at customs and are usually opened before being released, adding usually 3-5 days. Ground is faster 99% of the time. The big problem is courier shipping - Then it goes nuts - Brokerage fees, prep fees, etc. I try to only order from companies that will ship postal - most won't unfortunately as you have to send someone to the post office - they like courier pickup. My last stupid purchase was a $200 booster from antigravity batteries, they shipped fedex from the US, then fedex hands it over to Canada post - I had $97 worth of brokerage charges on that $200 purchase - outright rip off - plus was charged $40 for the shipping. Nice touch was I picked up the booster at the post office with nothing owing, then a week later got the fedex letter wanting that outrageous amount of money.

Wow, I have had completely the opposite. Yes courier is expensive, but for me it is faster 99% of the time. Maybe its because I'm a business, but I have had parts held up at the border for over a month with Canada post. If the border decides to hold it, they will send yoy a letter, yoy have to sign it acknowledging that they are going to search it, and send it back as a letter. Then they search it and release it. I have a UPS account and 99% of my stuff comes that way. A bit more expensive, but worth it for having it come right to my shop and being here faster.

It is always a pain and slow. I prefer USPS.

For lower mainland Express Air International offer a great service. Ship to Blaine and they bring it to Victoria airport YYJ asa bonded goods. Park at Spitfire grill, walk to them, pick up a slip to pay import tax at the main terminal and then walk out with it. Or they allowed my carrier to pick it up from them after I paid duty. I think handling fee for an engine on a pallet was about $100 (but don't quote me on that - it was very reasonable)

It is in the interest of modern man to have efficient government. Mail in US has been intentionally made less efficient by a recent administration. Longer shipping time and lost mail is very common now. David's solution had already become the common solution here before USPS leadership shot itself in the foot, but some companies contract postal for the last segment of the shipping.