TL;DR: when a ring is sent to Canada, you may be asked to pay import duty, sales tax and sometimes a brokerage fee, which is a charge for handling the customs paperwork. The customer pays these, the amounts depend on current rules, and the courier will tell you what is due. We explain what to expect before you order. Delivery is insured and tracked with FedEx. Pieces start from £600.
The three kinds of charge
Import duty is charged on the goods, sales tax is charged on the sale, and brokerage is a fee for the service of clearing the parcel through customs. Not every shipment attracts all three, and amounts depend on the goods, their value and the rules in force. We do not quote figures because they change over time.
Duty
Whether duty applies to a ring depends on how the goods are classified and on any trade agreement that might apply. Our guide on whether the UK Canada trade deal removes duty on rings explains why we cannot promise a particular outcome. Allow for the possibility of duty in your budget.
Sales tax
Canada has federal and provincial sales taxes, and the combination varies by province. Tell us your province so we can explain what to expect, and check the position for your address. Sales tax is calculated on the value of the goods, so a more valuable ring means more tax. Our guide to GST and HST on a ring bought from the UK goes into more detail.
Brokerage
Couriers often charge a fee for processing the customs paperwork, and the amount can vary. This is not something we control, and it is easy to forget when you are budgeting. Ask the courier or us what to expect, and keep the receipt.
A simple way to budget
- Take the total on your written quote.
- Look up the current duty position for jewellery and the sales tax for your province.
- Add an allowance for a possible brokerage fee.
- Set the total aside as a separate pot, so that a bill on arrival is no surprise.
- Ask us if anything looks unclear before you approve the design.
Common mistakes
The most common surprise is simply forgetting that these charges exist, so a bill arrives when the ring does. Others include assuming that a trade agreement removes every charge, forgetting the courier's fee, and being unreachable when the courier calls, which can leave the parcel waiting. Give the courier a phone number and an email address you check, and choose a delivery address where someone can sign and pay if needed.
How and when you pay
The courier will usually contact you with a bill or ask you to pay when the parcel arrives. Pay through the courier's official channel and be careful with unexpected messages. If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, go to the courier's own website and enter your tracking number yourself.
Keep your records
Keep your invoice, design approval and any customs paperwork together. They help with a customs query, with insurance and with future valuations. Our guide to reading your invoice and certificate explains what each document shows.
Planning
Standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, varying with your location and how busy we are. Our guide to winter proposals in Canada has ideas if you are planning for the colder months, and ten questions international customers ask covers the wider process.
Frequently asked questions
Will I pay duty on a ring sent to Canada?
Possibly. The customer pays any duty and tax, and we explain what to expect before you order.
What is brokerage?
A fee charged by the courier for handling the customs paperwork.
When do I pay?
The courier will contact you, often before or on delivery.
Is delivery insured?
Yes, delivery is insured and tracked with FedEx.