Does anyone in the Alberta Prov import things from the US but broker the item themselves by getting the item shipped up to a bonded company that holds it for you?

Example: Back in B.C. i would purchase items that included free shipping within the US and I'd have it shipped to a company that had an office in the US and would then bring the item across the border and held for me at their office at the airport. I'd show up, collect some papers from them and bring those papers to the border services. Show a receipt for the item + the border papers I got from the shipping company, pay a bit of taxes and then go back to the shipping company and pick up my item. This saved bucket loads on cross border shipping + shipping companies charging you their inflated broker fees.

If you do this, what company do you use please?
For those reading from B.C., specifically Vancouver Island and this interests you look up Seawings.ca based out of the Victoria Airport. Awesome service, great rates + cute employee.

 

I'm not sure about the services available in alberta, but I use shipping depots in point Roberts all the time. A quick drive down and back, filling up with gas that is 30% cheaper along the way, has saved me a ton of cash. My average online transaction saves 40-45% off Canadian prices. Often much more.

one example buy was a wine fridge that retailed for $298+ tax up here, $135 including shipping down in the states. Same unit.

seeing as how Canadians are buying from online US retailers in record numbers, I have to think that someone in Alberta offers brokerage services. Better yet, drive across the border yourself. Although that is only really practical if you are within an hour or two of the border.

 

Going across the border is an option but its an all day affair as its about 8-10hrs round trip for me. Sucks how the prices up here are so much more. Congrats on your purchases!

 

There is some info for importing vehicles here:

Registrar of Imported Vehicles - Importing a Vehicle

Let us know which route you are taking.

 

^ huh? who is importing a vehicle? the OP was only asking about importing online merchandise.

 

Not bid deal - just trying to help...

 

Buying parts from US is always cheaper but custums and shipping and insurance cuts the savings... And buying american cars are cheaper but resale u lose and warrenty issues too.

 

^ some valid points. these factors all have to be considered when determining if buying online from the US makes sense for your purchase.

based on my experience, most car part purchases come out way ahead when looking at shipped costs versus buying local. like i said earlier, i typically see 40-45%+ savings. to make it worth my while, i will wait until i have a large order and order everything at once (while staying under ~$300 to avoid border taxes). remember, i pick my purchases up at the border. for those who cannot do this and need international shipping, the cost-benefit analysis may not be as favourable.

as far as vehicle purchases are concerned, again you have to weigh the equivalent costs. i bought my car from the US, but only because i could not find any suitable 6MT G37 sedans in Canada after 6 months of searching. so it was more of a selection issue for me. landed cost of my car in Canada was only ~$3k less than a local car (if one was available). this was insignificant, but i will expect to pass a portion of the "savings" on to the next buyer when i go to sell. that only makes sense.

it is easy to check warranty transfer issues. the CBSA has a website for vehicle warranty transfers. infiniti does transfer, no issues whatsoever.