I wonder if any Canadians here know if there is duty charged on fabric purchased from the US? I'm thinking of ordering some Batiks from a US online store, so it would be shipped, I wouldn't be bringing it across the border myself. I'm also wondering if GST and PST would be added to it at the border?

I'd order from a Canadian online store, but I can't seem to find the same selection, and definitely not the same prices.

My sister and I order from US stores frequently. I got hit with duty once. Her... never!

I think I paid another $30.00 on an order that was already $30.00 postage and handling. So I got $70.00 of reasonably priced fabric for $130.00.

I think if your order is valued at less than $60.00, it escapes customs. I fyou contact Canada Post they might have more information for you.

Lori

I've ordered a fair number of times and it always varies. Sometimes they will charge the PST & GST (which is accompanied by a $5.00 handling fee) and other times not. I've been hit with customs but that seems to be an exception - usually not. It takes forever sometimes to have things arrive here on the west coast - one very small package took a month with Canada Post to arrive from Indiana. But that still doesn't stop me from ordering - especially if it's not available anywhere here on this side of the border. Maybe contact Canada Post and Canada Customs and get their side of the story.

I may be wrong but I think you only pay duty if the fabric isn't manufactured in the US. And I'm guessing if you're ordering batiks, they likely weren't manufactured in the US. I'm not sure how Canada Customs would know that unless it's marked on the package.

I've ordered from the US a few times and occasionally had to pay GST and the $5 fee Canada Post charges to collect it, but I've never had to pay duty.

It's probably worth taking a chance if the price is really great. Where are you ordering from? I could use some more batiks! ;-)

Thanks, everyone. One site I've been looking at is the Fat Quarter Shop. There is still Hamel's in Chilliwack, for Canadian, but their prices seem to run $7 or $8 more per yard/metre. With the dollar bascially at par, seems kinda' steep.

I may check Joann's 15 minutes away in Michigan, but I just hate going over the border. (Long story, I was born in the US, always a hassle with the explanation.:roll: )

Where do you live, rb? I'm in Windsor and frequently travel into Michigan to shop . I really like the Joannes on Eureka Rd. off route 75. I was born in the States too but never have a hassel, are you a landed immigrant?

One thing that you have to remember... a yard is 4" shorter than a metre. if you buy 10 yards, you've lost a metre. So even with the dollar at par, the risk of getting hit with duty... I am eager to look for Canadian sites.

Here are some I have found in Canada:
http://www.lsboudreauquiltfabrics.com/ (Nova Scotia ... terrific service)

http://www.quiltersrainbow.com/Rainbow.aspx?Content=Browse&Category=140

http://satin-moon.com/store/fabric.html (BC... expensive)

http://www.wazoodle.com/cgi-bin/catstore.cgi?user_action=category&category=Fabrics
(Markham Ontario, Good Prices)

http://www.kickasscountrystore.com/ (My sister loves these guys!)

http://www.bernicesfabricgallery.com/ (Manitoba maybe?)

http://www.cottagequiltingonline.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=CQO

Or you might find more here:

http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ae862/mailorder.html

Hamel's is one of my favourite places. It's about a little over an hour's drive from me and is awesome both in service and product available. I've been known to order on-line from them and have it delivered and with the cost of postage, it's cheaper than driving out there.

They go out of their way to try and help you - I was looking for Civil War fabric late at night (10pm) and before I knew it ( within 15 minutes), there was a note from them steering me in the right direction.

You must have fabric that's a lot cheaper in your area - I find them in line, if not cheaper with the LQS closer to me (certainly not $7 more).

Good to see the sites for other places to check out - will get a cuppa and have fun looking.

Deb, I'm in the Sault, at the north end of I75. Funny enough, it's the Windsor/Detroit crossing where I had the worst time, while with my uncle, a Detroit police officer!! Go figure. For some reason, they don't like me, maybe because I was born in the US, left as a toddler, born to Canadian parents (Dad was US Navy). Anything the least bit complicated becomes a major hassle at the border, and since 2001 it's even worse.

Mamagus, thanks for the links! I am a member at Wazoodle, but I hadn't found most of the rest of your links. I'll check them out.

HMK, thanks for the info on Hamel's. Are ya' west or east of them? I started out in Chilliwack when I moved out there in the 90s. DH is from Maple Ridge/Abbotsford, and we spent most of our time there in Coquitlam.

That's kinda my story, too. Was born in the US (Dad- Canadian & in Army - Mom, American). Moved to Canada at 3 and became a naturalized Canadian. Always had trouble crossing the border with my birth certificate and naturalization papers. Now that I have a passport - no problems at all - sail right through. Best $85 I've spent in a while :wink: :roll: .