Tariffs: A Cautionary Tale

[Kawika]

This will be primarily of interest to residents of Canada who purchase cards from auction houses and other sellers in the States.

I won a handful of Western Playground cards from Heritage in their recent auction. Ordinarily I would expect a 12% surtax (5% GST, 7% PST). Today I received an invoice from FedEx that included an additional 25% tariff on top of GST/PST of C$3100 which added an extra C$5100. Eight thousand bucks! Didn't see that coming.

My letter to the Fed Ex broker:

Dear Mr Busa -
I purchase collectible sportscards from American auction houses two or three times a year and pay import charges as required. I am astonished by the amount you are asking. Does this 25% tariff have anything to do with the current trade war brouhaha? As it stands I am unwilling to pay such an exorbitant tax.

Thank you.


His reply:

Good afternoon David,

That is correct. Effective March 4, 2025, certain goods imported into Canada and originating in the U.S. are subject to a surtax in the amount of 25% of the value for duty in accordance with the United States Surtax Order (2025-1). The surtax will apply to goods imported for commercial and personal purposes, even when exported from a country other than the U.S. into Canada, and including those that may be eligible for the remission of customs duties, sales and/or excise taxes under the Courier Imports Remission Order (de minimis). Would you like us to start the return of the package?


I surmise that Leon would frown on any political opinionating on this sorry state of affairs. No 51st state jokes please. To my fellow residents of the Great White North I say think twice before you pull the trigger. It could get expensive.