Fine example why I'm not going to use the Global Shipping Program for this item from a US seller

[oragex]

Just check out this video, why does the Global Shipping Program think I should pay $8 import charges for a $2 item?    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6ev8iqo4sI

[house*of*paws]

Hi @oragex 

The Global Shipping Program allows sellers to ship internationally who were afraid to take the risk previously.  [Sellers only need to get the item safely to the GPS depot in their own country ... and GPS is responsible for the rest of the trip.] 

It is not necessarily great for buyers ... except when they're able to purchase an item that they wouldn't have been able to purchase if the seller didn't use GSP.

GSP's import charges are often more than a buyer would pay Customs if the item was shipped another way ... so buyers need to check what the TOTAL amount of the purchase will be BEFORE committing to buy.  You do that by checking the Shipping and Payments section of the listing ... and you'll see EVERYTHING you'll have to pay.

The solution is simple enough.  If you don't like the TOTAL cost of an item ... then don't buy it. 

[marnotom!]

@myangelandmyprincess is on the money here.

The issue of import charges and the offer process has been discussed a couple of times recently on the .ca discussion boards.  As import charges should be considered estimates until Checkout, what is displayed with the offer is a "worst case scenario" until the buyer confirms their shipping location, as import charges will vary even within Canada.

Even a $2 purchase will incur import charges through the GSP as the item still needs to be processed like a $200 item.  What will likely happen at Checkout, however, is that there will be no import charges displayed but the shipping charge will be higher as the processing charges will be added to the shipping charge instead.

[marnotom!]

@oragex 

There's lots about your description of Canada Post and its employees that's inaccurate.  I'll keep my response simple, stating that it's a Crown Corporation, not a government department, and it's expected to be self-sustaining, i.e. it takes no funding from the government treasury, taxpayers, however you want to look at it.