I got a dvd from Express that cost less than the last time I got one, but the custom charges are the exact same price? How do they calculate what you pay? The DVD cost me something like 17.50$ US shipped but I have to pay 10$ in customs and that seems kinda steep.

For Canadians:
1A) If it is marked as a gift there is no customs up to $40USD. B) If it is over $40USD but marked as a gift you pay a $5 handling charge and the amount is taxed with the GST only.

2A) If it is marked as merchandise it is customs free up to $13.50USD or so. 2B) same as 1B above.

Unfortunately express.com marks all canadian packages as merchandise unless you specify it as a gift (if I remember correctly) and anything over those amounts will get hit for 15% plus a $5 handling charge.

[This message has been edited by danner (edited December 14, 2000).]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by danner:
For Canadians:
Unfortunately express.com marks all canadian packages as merchandise unless you specify it as a gift (if I remember correctly) and anything over those amounts will get hit for 15% plus a $5 handling charge.
</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I knew that much, but this DVD is 10$ less than my last one with the exact same custom charge... so I was wondering what the heck was going on.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Feneant:
I knew that much, but this DVD is 10$ less than my last one with the exact same custom charge... so I was wondering what the heck was going on.</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just check the customs form. It should show you exactly what all the charges were. That or get the exact amount and reverse calculate how they came up with those totals keeping in mind to subtract the $5 handling fee first.