#Gp Fax
13 messages in this thread
Well, I tried sending a disk and a Video tape to Canada. The grumpy old
GS-xx at the post office whipped out those customs forms and told me to
take them home and fill them out before I tried mailing anything other
than a letter across national borders. That one I just said, "to #@!!
with it." I was going to see the guy in a month in NYC so I held on to
it.
The other incident was the PSFC cable that I sent to Nuecleus. I took that
one to UPS hoping for better luck. WRONG!!! (So much for the free trade
agreement.)
wmc – via Autopilot!
Sounds like Canada is worse than Australia.
At my post office, I didn't fill out anything. The woman asked what it
was, wrote it down on a green sticker, stuck it to the envelope (disk
mailer), and told me what it cost. Couldn't have been much simpler!
Gary
on AutoPilot from Charlotte, NC
Canadian customs have always been a hassle to deal with, especially with things
which are mailed such as computer disks and data. (From someone with a lot of
Canadian scientific friends.) Depending upon circumstances the data is
sometimes better carried by hand or send via internet.
Cheers, Mike
Both Canada and US customs are uneasy with "new technology". But after a
dozen years and more of personal computers (and home VCRs) they are getting
used to it, and it's unlikely that you'll get much of a hassle. Unless you put
a value sticker on the package saying something like, "This software is worth
$500", in which case the recipient is likely to be treated as a business and
will be required to hire a customs broker (and do a LOT of paperwork).
There are many true stories from the past regarding the treatment of
individuals crossing the border with personal computers (or even diskettes)!
being accused of carrying commercial contraband. Doesn't happen quite so much
now, but many computer pioneers still carry the scars of those earlier
encounters.
–Jim
Mike,
Let's see… 3.5" disks kinda look like coasters… Canada Customs charge duty
for coasters? ;-}
Regards,
John Chang
Revolving coasters, John. Those pay more <g>.
DJ
On AP from Queens, the thrill and excitement of the Big Apple
Where a little paranoia keeps you healthy and sane …
DJ,
Didn't say that had to be functional! ;-}
Regards,
John Chang
Free trade is a hoax.
Malcolm
Someone who is more blunt than me – how refreshing! :^}
wmc – via Autopilot!
I went to the post office with a 3.5" disk mailer, the clerk weighted it,
put a stamp on, I paid, it went. Grand Central Post Office.
Ron
Sounds like its the Canadians vs the Australians. Seems those fun-lovers
down under may be keeping it simple…
wmc – via Autopilot!
If it looks like an envelope, it can't possible be dutiable, right? Even a
cushioned envelope. I used to order a lot of small electronics parts from the
US and request that they be sent in an envelope; they were never stopped at
Customs.
And disks do now have a special mail status. Mark it "letter on magnetic
disk", or "business documents on magnetic disk" and it will usually be left
alone. First class letters do NOT have to be written on paper.
–Jim