Sparks Auction Fees?

Hi Everyone - anyone have any recent experience with Sparks Auctions. Specifically if there were any extra fees/tariffs/etc. for US bidders. I saw this in their terms and conditions and wondered ...

"Buyers outside Canada are responsible for all customs duties, import fees, sales taxes or any other charges assessed by their home country or intermediaries."

I sent them this question a couple days ago but haven't heard back. Suppose next step is to call - Just curious if anyone on this forum has had to pay anything above and beyond postage and 20% commission. Thanks in advance.

I believe the US is currently assessing a 50% tariff on philatelic material from Canada.

Article in Canadian Stamp News about the tariff - it was also mentioned in the latest issue of the American Philatelist
https://canadianstampnews.com/u-s-t...amp-dealers/

I considered driving to get it and bring back but I assume US Customs now has stamp sniffing dogs.

Only if you keep them with your stash.

I purchased several lots from a Longley's auction a month ago, and I had a charge, but it was only for the VAT? For around $1000, it was no more than $20 or so.

I think Longley's last auction was in July. The 50% tariffs did not take effect until late August.

Depends upon how well you can present as a perfectly legal cross border traveler with nothing to hide and no sweat or other behavioral, I'm dirty, tells.

Carry the stamps in your adult diaper.

Thanks for the helpful advice.

Like you said yourself, the best way to communicate is to just call them. The big auction houses in Canada are very busy. I've had material sitting at R Maresch since May of this year and I will be lucky if it makes it into their winter sale. They have their Fall auction this month but they couldn't fit it in.

Paddle_more, unless Canadian customers can provide enough competitive bidding, maybe it's best to have them hold your material until tariff war settles down. I see from Maresch recent auction description on Stamp Auction Network:

"For our American bidders, please be advised that your government has placed a 50% tariff on Canadian goods and that now affects postage stamps and other philatelic material. Your government requires us, the shipper, to pa these tariffs when we ship. Unfortunately, we will have to add the tariff to your invoice. If you are planning a trip to Canada, especial in the Toronto area, we would be happy to have you pick these items up at our offices or we cab ship them to the place you are visiting in Canada, usual delivery in Canada is next day to 4 days depending on where you're located."