Why is my US $296 order charged CAD $205 in duty fees?

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susanemelia
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2025 1:10 am

Why is my US $296 order charged CAD $205 in duty fees?

Post by susanemelia »

I ordered CAD $296 (US $210) sent to Canada, but DHL says I owe CAD $205. Over 70% of order value. CBSA estimated 18%. Is this a mistake? Should I contact DHL/customs or return the order?
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jamies_taylor
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2025 1:12 am

Re: Why is my US $296 order charged CAD $205 in duty fees?

Post by jamies_taylor »

That definitely sounds off — duties and taxes shouldn’t add up to 70% on a CAD $296 order if CBSA’s estimate was around 18%. It could be that DHL added extra fees (brokerage, handling, etc.), which sometimes inflate the total. I’d suggest contacting DHL first to get a full breakdown of the charges. If something looks wrong, you can dispute it or ask CBSA directly. Returning should really be the last resort once you’ve confirmed the charges. check with this VAT calculation tool https://vatcalc.dev/ for accurate VAT
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