Shipping used vapes to Canada info

[lazylathe]

I thought i would post this up for anyone looking at buying used vapes from members in the States or any other country and having them shipped into Canada.

My story:
I bought a used Pinnacle with water tool from a member on FC on the 26th of July.
It was shipped to me on the 27th of July using USPS.
It took 3 days to hit the border and on the 1st of August it was delivered into Canada.
All seemed normal up to this point...

Checking the tracking number i found that is was "Item has arrived in Canada and was sent for further processing."
No worries as i had seen this before and it should only take a few days to be released or so i thought.

I kept checking the tracking and even though it seemed to be moving on the tracking bar, the package had not moved much. It was definitely no closer to being in my hands!
So i thought to sit tight and wait...
All this time the seller and myself were communicating about the package and both of us were a bit concerned that it would not arrive.

I finally managed to get a hold of someone at Canada post to actually help me.
They gave me the Canadian Border Services Agency number, according to their system the CBSA was holding the package and after numerous telephone numbers i finally was talking to someone that actually knew what was going on.

The package was labeled as an "Aromatherapy Device".
When they opened it they thought it was an e-cig.
All e-cig products get sent to Health Canada for further processing...
So i got the Health Canada number and called them, managed to get a very helpful lady and this is what she told me:
If the CBSA have any suspicions about a health related item it is forwarded to Health Canada for review, it is up to them to decide if it is released or not. Any signs of nicotine and the product is held until they decide what to do with it.
When Health Canada recieve the packages they are placed on a shelf and they get to them when they do, unless you call and elevate the case. (this is what i did)
Once they come to a decision the product is either:
a- release the package
b- destroy the package because it is illegal and they send you a note
c- send it for further processing at other departments.
d- return to sender (unlikely)

This process can take weeks to complete!

After they are done with the package it is released again to CBSA who approves it and releases it to Canada Post for further shipping.

The person i spoke to at Health Canada was very friendly and actually returned my call!!
She said that she had released the package even though it did not look like and e-cig to her!

So just a heads up on how the process works first hand!
If anyone needs the contact numbers i will keep them handy!

My package now says: International item released from Customs for processing by Canada Post
So it is on it's way through the system!!!

 

[Dreamerr]

What should one write for the future would be helpful for those who don't know like me.

 

[JCat]

"Electronic Accessories" is one of my favorite ... rather all encompassing

 

[Mynameismud]

What should one write for the future would be helpful for those who don't know like me.

I like planetvapes method. Everything ive ever gotten from planetvape is labled as kitchenware. I dont know if its the same Idea going into canada but ive never had any problems or delays receiving from planetvape

 

[Dreamerr]

Yep, and I get lots of kitchenware...I wonder if the way you do it jcat might bring up flags sometimes coming from usa to canada...hmmmmm. We may have to ask PV if kitchenware is the best way they should know just from our orders alone.

I had to send back capsules that didn't fit to PV and of course I sent someone to the post office. They gave her a hell of a time cause she said it was a return or broken...something....that didn't wash well at all. I guess even with returns or exchanges you have to send as new kitchenware or electronic accessories ugh.

Borders should fall into the water.

 

[Mainoffender]

Not sure if anyone's still watching this thread but I've got a vape held up at Canada Customs (3 days and counting). Called Canada Post and they couldn't offer any reason for it. I'm hoping it wasn't labelled as an "aromatherapy device" and gets stuck in limbo for weeks. @lazylathe how long do you think I should wait before escalating (might need your phone contacts if you still have them)? I'm told delays in TO are 3 days, Montreal is 5 and in Vancouver the average wait for clearance is 10 days right now. It's already been 11 days since it was shipped so getting a bit anxious.

 

[lazylathe]

Not sure if anyone's still watching this thread but I've got a vape held up at Canada Customs (3 days and counting). Called Canada Post and they couldn't offer any reason for it. I'm hoping it wasn't labelled as an "aromatherapy device" and gets stuck in limbo for weeks. @lazylathe how long do you think I should wait before escalating (might need your phone contacts if you still have them)? I'm told delays in TO are 3 days, Montreal is 5 and in Vancouver the average wait for clearance is 10 days right now. It's already been 11 days since it was shipped so getting a bit anxious.

I don't really remember how long i waited but it was a good month or so...
As to phone numbers... I may have them and will look but highly doubt it as it was at my previous job.
I do remember calling the post office and getting a number from them for a medical devices holding place in Montreal and they gave me a CBSA number to call. The device was being held by the medical place but i had to explain to CBSA what it was...That process in itself took many days to accomplish...

If it is a used vape i would be a bit concerned. I ended up telling the CBSA woman i was a medical user and had my license, she asked for the license number. Once that was cleared up the package was moving again the very next day.
And when received, the vape was barely clean at all so there was no wonder why it was held up for so long!

It can be done with perseverance!

 

[Mainoffender]

Thanks for the lowdown. I've never had any trouble in the past and am hoping it's because of the backlog at our ports of entry. CP told me I was lucky it wasn't Vancouver with their 10 day wait times. They don't make it easy to track it down either. It was a used vape I sent for service and since Haze has released their latest V3 they're sending me back a brand new one (hell of a vape and hell of a company). I know they've used the description "Aromatherapy device" on previous shipments without a problem so who knows? The CBSA move in mysterious ways so maybe it'll show up Monday morning. I've got a prescription also so I'm sure I can clear things up if I can reach the right person.

 

[weenstoned]

What does the tracking state? I have heard Canada Post has for the most part stopped tracking international packages in the last month or so. Haven't ordered anything from outside of Canada in a couple of months so I couldn't say for sure. So could be on it's way to you. If it is delayed more likely they're just going to assess some duties/tax on it (pst/gst or hst) and probably a $10 "handling fee". That's what happened to the flowermate v8 I ordered from Massdrop.

Reddit thread about tracking changes: https://www.reddit.com/r/canada/comments/3ik7kk/canada_post_kills_tracking_on_packages_screwing/

 

[Mainoffender]

CP tracking shows "Item has arrived in Canada and was sent for further processing" while the USPS trace says it was sent to Customs for processing. Interesting Reddit thread. Sounds like it's system wide but it's the first time I've been caught up in it. When I called CP they made it clear it's a CBSA problem and USPS would have to get involved. I sent it in August 31st and marked it "vaporizer for repair" so I've been above board. If it's about duty and taxes I can clear that up with my receipts. Haze also labelled it as a "warranty return" so I'm hoping your right and it'll show up Monday. Glad I've got a Mighty for backup but it's on the fritz too. Combustion is out of the question. Last time I tried smoking a joint I thought I'd swallowed an ashtray.

 

[weenstoned]

Ya most of the time my packages have shown that for under an hour before they turned to "Item Processed". So if they're not providing tracking info for thru Canada anymore that could be the last update you see now.

 

[Mainoffender]

Just an update to finish my story. After 15 days CP showed up with my vape but needed $21.00 for taxes owing and a handling charge. Paid the ransom even though it was a used vape returning to Canada (and labelled as such). A month later received another vape that was delivered no problem (and no extra charges) so it really is a crapshoot I guess.

 

[Buzzbomb Almighty]

Just an update to finish my story. After 15 days CP showed up with my vape but needed $21.00 for taxes owing and a handling charge. Paid the ransom even though it was a used vape returning to Canada (and labelled as such). A month later received another vape that was delivered no problem (and no extra charges) so it really is a crapshoot I guess.

Yes, I've had the same thing happen with fishing tackle. Most of the time it sails through with USPS but when it gets snagged there's fed and prov tax + $5 to Canada Post for collecting it.