US to Canada cost calculator

[Lazybones]

http://www.thefinalcost.com/

I was trying to work out if it would be cheaper to purchase things like the Xbox 360 from the states now that the CAD is strong..

This site really makes it easy to figure it out.

Best part is that it does a breakdown so you know each of the costs.

If you are going to the US and not shipping you still have to find a deal that is better than the 6% duty you will pay.

[Thorin]

If the item was made in the USA, there is no duty (thank you NAFTA!).  Otherwise, it is generally 6%.

Although figuring out the actual percentage if it wasn't made in the USA requires some real investigation.  I tried reading the publications found on the Canada Border Service Agency's website, and they're byzantine!

edit: was flustered by CBSA's publications and used "their" instead of "they're"; all fixed now

[Shayne]

I very rarely get any sort of issue when importing from the states.  Really depends on who and where I order from.  Ebay i normally have no issues, Amazon though I typically get the duty slip in the mail a week after I get the package.

[Thorin]

Interesting to see that bit about "Conversion":

This is somewhat of a hidden fee.  When you purchase something on a US website with your credit card, your credit card company will add 0.025 to the actual exchange rate as a currency exchange fee. It is equal to 2.5% of the item and shipping cost.