Im planning on making an order from Mandarake, first time ordering anything or getting a package from Japan. Are we always hit with customs fees? Is there anything I should know about ordering from Japan thats usually not mentioned?

You live in the US right? We don't get charged custom fee's in this cunt-ry. Also always go EMS cause SAL sucks and i've been waiting 2 weeks when EMS takes like 3 days. Worth the extra. I didn't use it this time cause the shipping would have been more than the toys.

I always have chosen SAL, and have not had any issues with it. The price really can't be beat, and I am patient; it still comes in a reasonable time. My only troubles have started recently with packages in the last month. And all of that is due totally on the fault of Canada Post from what I can tell, as everything was processed and left the country within a day or two at the most of me completing payment - seriously the Japanese mail system is a model of efficiency.

CP on the other hand is doing my head in. I don't know if it is all customs issue or what, and that is another thing that makes it terrible with them. Even though I have the tracking info and everything I need, it won't even tell you where the package is. If it is held up for inspection, fine, but tell me that. Don't pretend like it is just inbetween locales right now and everything is normal. I have been waiting almost a month, and my parcel is in the ether as far as they are concerned or still on a plane that left Tokyo March 18th. It is not like I can complain to the senders, everything on that end could not go smoother. So basically they have us by the balls, no matter what option we choose or where we buy from, and that is just fine with them.

USA has a $2000 buffer before we start to get hit with fees. If you keep it under that amount you should be fine. Besides, most retailers put a false value on their parcels to aid in this. Whenever I ship overseas, I always mark the parcel as a gift with a ridiculously low value unless the person wants it insured and all that. Then you gotta put the real value in case something happens to collect. EMS usually slides by Customs without anyone caring as well.

I order frequently from Manda, service is top notch, packaging is superb and shipping is very fair. They always under-declare the value of the item ordered. I always go for DHL since the pricing is pretty similar to EMS though it might be pricey shipped to the States.

Nakano has the best service, same day order confirmation and delivery, followed Shibuya, Fukuoka. Osaka is a bit slow due to a shortage of english speaking staff I believe.

I want to laugh, I really do. But I have seen this too many times with baggage handlers, and have received packages that I have doubt experienced several bouts of this.

the other day I was in line at the post and was watching the MANAGER of my branch trying to make hook shots with parcels I was EXTREMELY tempted to verbally berate the cocksucker in front of all his charges, I really should have and will next time since the last time I got in his face services improved drastically

Rates went up again today.

Yep. Seems like they just did a few months back too - I recall them phasing out the permanent postage stamps around Christmas time. Not even mentioning the loss of door delivery service, Canada Post is really operating on some mistaken principles.

They're just using the USPS guidebook

Fuck you UPS.

Seriously. Fuck. You.

^^^ Uh oh...

there must be a story there...

anyone knows the rules for paying fees when you get a package in canada?

if it's marked gift?
value less then 50$

got 17$ fees WTF?!?

^^ If its anything like things here in the UK it often seems to depend on the mood of individual staff members on that particular day.
The 'gift' option doesn't make any difference here in the UK, its all based on value.

I've had stuff slip though that should of been charged. I've also had stuff get charged when it shouldn't of been.
The last time that happened the woman on the 'help-line' said it was because they had included the postage amount in the total value . . . .
which is total horse-shit.

I've found making a complaint or trying for a refund is a waste of time. It all gets lost in a fog of red-tape and confusion.
If you can even figure out the rules, they are rarely up to date or even make sense at all.

7$ of taxes
10$ handling

first time paying taxes on a package

The $10 is charged as soon as they look at the package. Taxes technically have to be charged on almost everything (free trade notwithstanding). So yeah, 15% taxes on $50, $7.

We're surprised when they charge us, but we're actually lucky they don't do it every time.

The 'handling' here in the UK is always around $23.
Its essentially Parcel Force taking the package off customs and holding it to ransom

It used to come straight to your local post office where you would just pay the tax but that changed a while ago.
There's always some bastard with their hand in your pocket . . . . !!

Countries charging their citizens taxes and duties on the occasional outside purchase is such a relic of days gone by... I don't understand why they continue to ding you guys. Well, I do, but it's just silly and pushes people to be shady in their transactions

probably just repeating but my basic rule of thumb is anything over $20 is taxed + fee's
sometimes items sneak past but i recommend getting everything marked at $20 or less

"The CBSA collects provincial sales taxes (PST) on most taxable imports valued at over $20CDN entering Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia..." "The CBSA also collects Harmonized Sales Taxes (HST) on most taxable imports entering Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Ontario"

plus

"A handling fee of $9.95CDN per dutiable or taxable mail item is applied"

and although they say gifts are up to $60 i dont take that chance:

"Gifts from friends and relatives, valued at $60CDN or less, are duty and tax exempt. In cases where the gift is valued at more than $60CDN, the CBSA will assess duties and taxes on the excess amount. The gift must be sent to the recipient personally and include a card or other notice indicating that it is a gift. Items that do not qualify as gifts include:

tobacco
intoxicating beverages
advertising material
items sent by a business to a consumer in Canada and vice versa"


not sure if its worth the effort but you can dispute but theyll still keep the $10 fee

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/posta ... ng.html#c2

^^^

Disputing is worthless, unless by way of changing the laws and letting your country know it's the 21st fucking century. The place where we all partake in a global economy is more suitable

With the Canadian dollar now at $0.88 US, not that many of us will be buying from you guys anyhow.

(who am I kidding, we have no choice)

-----

I imagine the local Chinese office is just not as organized as in Japan.

EMS from Japan has always been incredibly efficient and affordable for me. Although the odd thing is that it seems to take one more day to receive packages in LA than I did when I lived in NYC...

Soooo... I found a toy I've been searching well over two years for on Mandarake, still MIB, and of course pull the trigger right away. Package travels the Pacific Ocean without issue, arrives in Los Angeles, AND... just... sits... in the post office... for a week...

Before they decide to simply return to sender. What the freaking fuck. I've already contacted Mandarake, and they simply told me to wait. It's not their fault, of course. I've had several other orders from them come to my place without fail.

Has this happened to anyone before? What happened to you? Did you end up getting the toy? I'm hoping for some comforting news from others who have experienced similar bullshittery.