A postage question for Canadians

[kvanderlaag]

Hi, I hate to be a pain, but I've got a question for some of you Canadian members of the board, particularly any of you who've bought camera bodies and things off of eBay, or even here, I guess.

I had a Leica CL shipped to me on the 31st of January, and it's still not here. The online tracker on canadapost.ca says that the item has arrived in the destination country, but that was the 9th, meaning it's been here for a week, and nothing has happened. Some people have joined me in guessing that customs probably pulled it for inspection (since, you know, cameras make awesome bombs) and I'm beginning to worry just a wee bit. The shipment was insured for the $250 US I paid for it, so I'm hoping I'm covered if they do manage to botch something, but nonetheless, I'm a little curious.

Have any of you ever had something taken for inspection by customs, and if so, about how long did it take them to get their grubby little paws off of your gear?

I'm starting to get a little antsy. I want something to mount this stupid Summicron-C on.

Thanks!
-Keegan

[VictorM.]

Joe knows a lot about Canadian Customs...

[Frank Granovski]

Yes, it's probably sitting in Canadian Customs.

[jan normandale]

If you have a tracking number check with Canada Post to see the status of the parcel. They should be able to tell if it is in CCR or has cleared. You have been about 12 business days since the parcel went into the system. My experience is 14 - 15 days if you haven't adequate CCR number/description of the goods sent. This means they have to open, then identify, then determine if a custom charge is applicable. If it is then they will require CP to collect. These steps add time.

Next time I'd suggest calling CCR and getting a CCR number for the item being sent, ie lens , camera, film , developing tank etc. All these items have numerical descriptions identifying the tariff, if any to be collected. If you have the sender add the item number, my experience is it saves me about 2-3 days off the time for delivery.

[kvanderlaag]

Thanks for the tip, Jan, I'll make sure I have all of that for future shipments! Sounds like it'd save a bunch.

I guess I'll just have to keep waiting for my CL. Sigh!

[jan normandale]

as an aside 35 mm cameras if they are identified with the correct number attract no tariff charges, they do however attract GST , PST.

[back alley]

this is not uncommon.
i have had parcels waiting in customs for far longer. and then they add insult by adding charges for processing or whatever.
it is a poor system made worse by the closing of several customs depots over the past few years.

i feel you pain.

[w3rk5]

I dont think you need to worry Keegan. Almost everything I buy now Canada Customs is nabbing it. :( They usually hang on to it for a week and then it'll be on it's way to you. The funny thing is, they never use to. I had a camera shipped from the Ukraine to me in 6 days! :eek: