I think that's why they call it a commercial value charge. It ensures that whatever is being imported is brokered through customs under a bonded program so they can track exactly what's coming into the country regardless of it's original origin? If the original is foreign, then the broker would assess a customs fee with additional charges. The commercial value fee is not a lot, but the brokerage fee from the carrier isn't cheap nor are the bond fees for anything over that $800 exemption. I shipped a set of carbs to a guy in Texas and UPS sent him an added bill of $185 for import charges on a $1700 sale.
No different for the Canucks when we import parts from the US where we get hammered for brokerage and customs fees on the entire value. The only time we get an exemption is if we were visiting inside the US for more than 48 hours and then we get the $800 allowance. On top of that we get the added charges of Tax here in Canada, and it all adds up.
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I like solid lifter cars, big cams and cars w/ 3 pedals in them. 
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