u/Goonsquadhunnas

I'm importing 250 boxes (about 125 kg) from a Korean supplier for Amazon Canada. Supplier quoted $725 CAD for sea freight to a warehouse in Brampton or Vaughan. I'll handle customs and pick up the pallet myself with a rented van.

Here's how I think it works: pallet sails from Busan to Vancouver (~14 days), then by train to a GTA rail terminal (~5-7 days), then trucked to a warehouse. I hire a customs broker, send them the invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and Certificate of Origin. They file with the Canada Border Services Agency, I pay the 13% sales tax, the warehouse charges their fees, and I drive over to pick it up.

Questions for anyone who's done this:

1. Am I missing any step?
2. What does a customs broker actually charge for a small one-time entry?
3. What does the warehouse charge before they release the pallet?
4. How many free storage days before they start charging daily fees?
5. Any surprise fees that always show up?
6. Realistic total budget on top of the $725 sea freight?
7. Any GTA broker recommendations?