i must be dense. why would canada's customs care about car parts? it has been a few years since i was up there, but all they ask was what i was bringing in. i know handguns are a no no. jim
They really are more concerned with what the parts are valued at. For personal importation, we have certain amounts which are tax free. These amounts are based on how long we were in America. I can claim $400.00 for any visit longer than 48 hours. As for shipping from America to Canada, it seems that it could depend on whether your package gets selected for secondary inspection. I've had things worth $50.00 sail right through, and others worth $10.00 get slapped with extra fees. It also depends on who transports the goods. UPS just loves to add "customs clearance" fees on virtually anything. I once paid $23.00 tax, duty, and "customs charges" to UPS for an absolutely free part. The shipper placed the actual value on the waybill, which triggered those fees. Needless to say, I was not amused, and will not ever use UPS again. I've also had other, more valuable things shipped via USPS/Canada Post, and they didn't charge any extra customs fees. And yes, handguns are still frowned upon in a big way.
The Canadian government has to get its cut; - regardless of whether the part was for a new car or an old one. Canadian law states that the manufacturer has to keep spare parts on hand for only ten years after the model was released. After this term, the parts that had "expired" were usually landfilled or crushed. (I knew of two dealers in the Edmonton area that did this) So now all of a sudden these parts are no longer available, however they used to be. Canada customs uses this to levy a duty on "imported parts" that should have been available for sale by Canadian businesses in Canada. I once got nailed for double the exact cost (duty, GST, PST)for a set of Olds pistons that came out of the US, but were actually manufactured in Canada. Talk about getting hosed! It's neither a service that I requested or required, but I pay for it. Better yet is their fee for opening up your package and inspecting it. Nothing more than legalised robbery... Any luck yet with the leak?
they charge you a fee to open your package even if nothing is wrong? man i bitch to hell and back about the taxes i pay here in the usa. that is way wrong. jim
No luck with the leak yet, I had a golf tournament today, and just got home a little while ago. To tired to look at it, then it's back to work tomorrow for a few days. It's beginning to look more and more like next year before I drive it again.:ball: Too bad, I really wanted to show my Porsche owning neighbor some Buick torque.:grin: Yes Jim, our Canadian Customs people have some wonderful ways to remove cash from our wallets, and we can't do anything about it.
Tom-send me your address-I'll just throw the gaskets and O ring in the mail-I also like to slobber up the O-ring with a little silicone-you'll get that sealed up shortly
I just had the same problem with a brand-new O ring. It came from an engine kit, and must have been the wrong size or something because it wouldn't hold back water. It started leaking like a sieve instantly. So I wound up slobbering the old one up with silicone and so far it holds. -A pretty dumb design, as far as I'm concerned. So a brand-new engine goes back together with old gaskets...ou:
Dan, I got the parts you sent, many thanks.:beer :beer I started disassembly earlier tonight. What I hoped would be only a couple of hours, will now take several more.ou: Remove A/C compresor, PS pump, assorted brackets, find proper sockets, can't curse, too many little kids around here.:laugh: Should get it done Monday though.:TU: I'm having so much fun getting all filthy dirty.:grin: I want to drive the snot out of this car before the snowflakes come wafting down.
I'm back on the road again.... Just to close the book on this thread, I'm back in business once again. Got everything done earlier this afternoon, put the insurance and plates back on, and went for a drive.:3gears: :3gears: No more leaks!!!!!!!!!!!!:beer :beer I only went about 25 miles tonight, just in case, but tomorrow's another day. If you see me here wasting time Tuesday afternoon, tell me to get off my ass, and go burn some premium gas.:laugh: :laugh: Many thanks for all your ideas, suggestions, tips, and especially Dan, aka lapham 3@ aol . com, for sending the gaskets and O-ring without even thinking of asking for payment. :beer :beer on me Dan.:TU:
