Handling fees, duties and such when ordering into Canada

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Hey, I was just wondering if anyone from Canada has ever ordered a (scientific, so that it fits the subforum :wink:) book from abroad (US, UK), and if yes, how much were the handling and duty fees? All in all, what's the cost of all of that stuff on top of the price of the book and shipping costs themselves?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Why not order through Chapters/Indigo

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/home/?

Then, there aren't any shipping and handling fees.

I have order dozens of advanced scientific books on-line. Chapters has most books. If Chapters doesn't have it, I try amazon.com and then amazon.com. Below is an example (a quantum field theory book) from an order I placed with amazon.com (U.S.).

Item(s) Subtotal: $69.78
Shipping & Handling: $8.98
-----
Total Before Tax: $78.76
Sales Tax: $0.00
Import Fees Deposit $8.97
-----
Total for This Shipment: $87.73
 
Last edited:
I've never been charged import duty on a book into Canada from amazon.com or amazon.com

Check http://bookdepository.com/ they are often cheaper than Amazon for expensive textbooks, they ship from the UK but international mail is included in the price
 
George Jones said:
Why not order through Chapters/Indigo

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/home/?

Then, there aren't any shipping and handling fees.

I have order dozens of advanced scientific books on-line. Chapters has most books. If Chapters doesn't have it, I try amazon.com and then amazon.com. Below is an example (a quantum field theory book) from an order I placed with amazon.com (U.S.).

Item(s) Subtotal: $69.78
Shipping & Handling: $8.98
-----
Total Before Tax: $78.76
Sales Tax: $0.00
Import Fees Deposit $8.97
-----
Total for This Shipment: $87.73

NobodySpecial said:
I've never been charged import duty on a book into Canada from amazon.com or amazon.com

Check http://bookdepository.com/ they are often cheaper than Amazon for expensive textbooks, they ship from the UK but international mail is included in the price
Thanks for the responses, guys. The reason I don't want to go with Amazon or Chapters is because I'm buying a textbook that doesn't really need to be new. So I was looking at some used book prices, and found some that are around $15 cheaper (shipping included) if bought online (either US, UK or Ireland, there's different sellers with slightly different prices). And I guess if I knew the total added cost won't exceed those $15, I'd order, but otherwise I'd rather play it safe and just buy it at our bookstore (used) or, as you suggest, order online.

As for that website NobodySpecial suggested, I've actually found the textbook with a similar price as those used ones. So did you ever order from them perhaps? Because there the difference between what they'd charge (including shipping) and the lowest I could get it for is $14. Do you think it'd still be cheaper ordering from them then? Oh, and which province do you live in, perhaps there's differences in regards to that, as well. And if you did order from there, do any taxes apply, that is on top of what they charge?