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Chain Reaction Cycles shipping to Canada

164K views 576 replies 150 participants last post by  smashysmashy 
#1 ·
A week or two ago I was looking for information about chainreactioncycles.com shipping to Canada and didn't find anything here. I went ahead and made a purchase anyways and thought I'd report back my experience for the next person.

I ordered a 2012 Bell Sweep helmet. I know bike parts typically don't have customs charges but I wasn't sure where a helmet falls in here. My helmet cost just over $100 at CRC with free shipping. On top of the purchase price Canada Customs charged me the HST and an additional $8.50 in 'Handling Fees', and that's it. I was prepared for worse so I was quite pleased. The helmet arrived about 8 days after the order was made but the Easter weekend was in there so that may have caused a day or two delay over the usual.

And before anybody gives me grief about buying online, I was perfectly prepared to buy locally but couldn't find the size/colour combination I wanted nearby. If I was going to have to wait a week for it to be ordered in at the shop I may as well save myself $60 and the return trip and order it myself.

So anyways, overall thumbs up to CRC and I will be ordering again.
 
#36 ·
Was the $21 all in? Like taxes and brokerage, or does the customs slip specifically list it in the "duty" section?

Because my "prior" shipment (the one that spent 3 hours in customs) was a SRAM cassette and two Kenda Happy Medium tires and I didn't get dinged for duty, just taxes ($35.83) and a "handling fee" of 8 dollars and some odd cents.
 
#37 ·
If this is turning into a shipping thread. I placed an order on July 3rd with Niagara Cycle Works for something I needed for the 14th.

I ordered tires from Niagara Cycle Works on July 3rd and paid for 1-3 day shipping. The tires were marked as "in stock" on their web page. It is July 13th and I still do not have them after repeated calls this whole week. Niagara gave me one excuse after another, oh it is being shipped from warehouse, oh there are new people working here, usps lost it, oh we shipped it out but not the proper priority.

I would not recommend Niagara Cycle Works, especially if you need the item in a hurry. Not worth saving a dollar or two to not get the item in time and then have to have to hasstle of sending it back.
 
#40 ·
For the first time, I just got nailed for duty on a shipment from ChainReaction.
It hurt, duty, taxes and fee added up to $43 on a $120 order. I think they charged me the duty on a complete bike as parts are usually duty free. Probably not worth the effort of trying to get the $16 back.
 
#41 ·
Take a look at the Canada Customs paperwork attached to your package. There are directions on there for contesting duty and/or taxes. Fill in the form and mail it to them. If all is good, you should get a refund cheque in a few weeks.

I did this for some Ralphs I was incorrectly assessed a 6.5% duty on and received a refund cheque 3 weeks later.

The customs tariff is available here if you want to refer to a tariff item # in your refund claim:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2012/01-99/01-99-t2012-03-eng.pdf
 
#43 ·
Two packages on their way for my SLX drivetrain (wanted to split the payment half cc/half paypal). So we'll see how lucky I am...

Still... What I ordered would have cost me close to $400 at the LBS, and I paid about $210... Excellent prices.
 
#44 ·
The prices truly are unbeatable. For example, I need a new chain. An XT 10speed chain at my LBS? $90. My recent order of an XTR chain, XT cassette and two sets of organic brake pads? $154. Wow! It's like getting the XT Cassette for free....:cool:

Unlike my wheelset (which I noticed on the custom's manifest, only got HST and the handling fee so I got a little bit lucky) which were shipped via parcel force, my new (smaller) package is just coming via royal mail. It'll be interesting to see whether I get dinged this time. fingers crossed.
 
#46 ·
Just received a package from Chain Reaction with no problems (charged $26 in duty on a $400 order, but sent in the form to contest it). Even with the duty, getting anywhere near this price locally for what I ordered (Ultegra hollowtech cranks + BB, a new chain and ultegra cassette, Conti gatorskins and a few other bits and pieces) would be impossible.

The Hope/Mavic wheels I had them build up for my Motolite 2 years ago are still going strong as well. Very happy customer so far!
 
#47 ·
Order arrived within 1 week. No additional charge for a tire. Only 9.99$ for the shipping.

Did order another tire today. Quite satisfied and saved money.

JensonUSA kinda lost it with their prices recently unfortunately. Especially on tires!
 
#49 ·
Everything arrived quickly, and no duty! Unfortunately, the plastic spacer that goes between the loose cogs and the spider was broken in transit, so we'll see what their customer service dept. has me do. It's going to cost like $25 to ship them back a $25 part, which seems silly to me.
 
#55 ·
Got an email from CRC customer support first thing this morning (their time, 2am here). They're sending me a new cassette, and I can keep the broken one. Excellent customer service! Once I wear through one cassette I'll be able to steal a spacer from it to "fix" the other, so all turned out well.

For the record, any dealings I've had with their customer service in the past have been equally excellent.
 
#58 ·
Not really CRC specific, but somewhat related. I'm doing my first full build of a new ride and have ordered a bunch of parts from CRC, Jenson and Wiggle. The Wiggle parts arrived at work today, however I was at home taking care of my sick daughter. No worries though as I arranged with a coworker to cover the costs associated with the delivery.

The delivery was in two boxes, one for the wheels and one for the rest. Canada Post assumed that each box was a separate delivery (with the exact same declared value) and doubled the value to calculate the tax. My coworker, obviously not knowing any better, paid for the double tax and now I have to chase down Canada Post for the $140 over tax I paid.

I understand there are risks associated with purchasing online, but I did not expect this.
 
#61 ·
anyone ever bought a park tool stand from CRC?? I'm looking at the PCS-10 at $175 after code, $100 cheaper then LBS, but not sure what to expect for customs charges. It would be free shipping, or is it worth upgrading to tracked shipping for $20? Figure free shipping will be Canada Post, is tracked as well? Thanks for any info :)
 
#63 ·
If you choose free shipping, CRC will sometimes ship the item with tracking anyway if it's big or expensive or both.

Even if you get hit with tax, it's still way cheaper than the LBS.
 
#64 ·
well, DHL is 80$, so not going that route. I plan to pay PayPal, so if it gets lost, it gets lost.

will have to pay the 7% PST, plus "handling" charges, is just the potential custom charges that i wonder about. but think it will be worth it. i made the mistake when I bought my tool kit (Park Tool AK32) from the states, got shipped UPS ground and paid a huge brokerage/customs fee.
 
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