Importing used Audio equipment to Canada

For items mfg'd in North America there shouldn't be any duty charged between Canada and the United States. For Canadians importing goods from the states we pay Goods & Services Tax and if applicable provincial tax. On top of these Taxes, shipping companies will normally charge a brokerage fee. I have found that Fed Ex is the most reasonable with these fees. They normally charge me about $7.00 CDN. I have had other companies such as UPS and Priority Post charge quite a bit more. Sometimes as high as $50.00. Not bad on the whole.

I like the word "Declare" loosely termed, almost sounds like gas prices every weekend at the pumps.

Many thanks for all the input, you have been very helpful. I was planning on picking-up the item myself...as the seller is located close to the CND border....just a short drive away. Any additional tips would be much appreciated.

I would echo the comments that the duty for gear manufactured in North america is 0 and all you pay is 7% gst. If it is from out of north america the rate varies but is generally 6 to 7%. The other downside is that it is calculated in cad, not usd so you pay more. I agree with the usps and better shippers because some will nail you with a 50 dolllar brokerage fee. Good luck.

My experience of getting stuff from US (I lived in Ottawa, ON) was not always good. I was usually charged with GST 7%, customs duty 10%, and brokerage fee - kinda of unlimited. Last time I ordered several step-down transformers UPS charged me almost $50 brokerage... I noticed that USPS, Fedex, Purolator take significantly less.