VancouverBackyardChemist
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Importing Lab Glassware into Canada
Hi, I'm just starting out my backyard lab and ordered a bunch of the standard lab glassware (Beakers, Erlenmeyer, RBFs, condenser and Vigreux columns,
pipettes, test tubes) from Chinese suppliers and I'm wondering has any other forum member from Canada experienced issues with customs when importing
glassware? I've read the cases of police surveillance or home visits are all in Australia or the US, wondering whether any fellow Canadian home
chemists have experienced issues? Do Canadian police put you on a watch list for simply ordering glassware? I read up on our import laws and nowhere
does it say that glassware is a prohibited item, but seeing how many fellow forum members have had issues with the police in other countries, I want
to know what it's like in Canada.
Also, does the CBSA charge you heavy handling fees? I searched online and different sources vary in the amount of handling fees you have to pay, some
say around $10-20 while one source said you needed to pay up to $80. I know you definitely have to pay import taxes and duties but how bad are the
handling fees?
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paulll
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Mood: It's fine. Really.
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I've been collecting glassware for nearly a year, mostly from China via ebay, and haven't had a problem yet.
There was one item - can't recall what it was but nothing specialist - that I found it strange that I had to sign for at the Post Office when it had
been sent Economy Speedpak with no signature requested, but thus far everything has shown up and nobody's come a-knocking.
(Alberta, btw)
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VancouverBackyardChemist
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I see, thanks!
Collected Elements:
C Al Ti Fe Ni Cu Zn Ag I Gd Au
Current Reagents on hand (Excluding common household reagents):
NaOH 10 M HCl 29% H2O2 MgSO4 CaCl2
Current Organic compounds on hand:
Acetone Toluene Xylene Isopropanol Methanol
Successfully Synthesized Compounds:
CuCl2 CuO Cu2O MgCl2 Mg(OH)2 Na2CO3
Attempted Syntheses:
Sodium Aluminate (precise formula varies) - Wasn't white as expected, was tan, impurities?
FeCl3 and FeCl2-Color was right but smelled horrible when it should be odorless
Acetic acid from vinegar: No Phase separation occured when salting out
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Syn the Sizer
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I have had no problems importing anything including lab glass into Canada. When I ordered my glass from China, the box was opened than closed nothing
was even touched.
Have bought and imported reagents, glass, and other chemistry stuff with 0 hassle.
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Deathunter88
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Honestly what's wrong with the police coming by to check in? If you're not doing anything wrong everything will be fine.
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OldNubbins
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I cannot speak with regards to Canada, but I have two family members in law enforcement, one federal and the other county, and I can say with
certainty that at least in the U.S., that statement is not always true.
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itsallgoodjames
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Quote: Originally posted by OldNubbins  |
I cannot speak with regards to Canada, but I have two family members in law enforcement, one federal and the other county, and I can say with
certainty that at least in the U.S., that statement is not always true. |
In Canada from my experience it is. I have a friend who's had police come to his house thinking he was making meth or something, they looked through
his lab notebook and realized the lab wasn't used for making drugs. Then they apologized and left. Though I'm not sure if that's the norm or not
Sort of to the original topic at hand, I've never had any problems importing glassware into Canada. Customs has opened some stuff, but everything
ended up coming fine.
[Edited on 2-10-2020 by itsallgoodjames]
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Morue
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Nilered in one of his videos mentionned that he had a call from RCMP and had to explain why he was importing such a large buchner funnel. I never had
any issue importing glassware to Canada and it sure isn't illegal. But large glassware orders or something like a 5L round-bottom flask may attract
attention. Just keep this in mind and you will be fine.
| Quote: Originally posted by VancouverBackyardChemist |
Also, does the CBSA charge you heavy handling fees? I searched online and different sources vary in the amount of handling fees you have to pay, some
say around $10-20 while one source said you needed to pay up to $80. I know you definitely have to pay import taxes and duties but how bad are the
handling fees? |
CBSA never asked me a single dollar because Chinese sellers always mark the item as "something totally unrelated to glassware" with a value of 10$.
But keep in mind that CBSA will charge you the corresponding taxes, but this does not include brokerage fees. So, do not import anything using
carriers such as Fedex, UPS, etc. The brockerage fees they charge are just ludicrous. Never had any issues with Canada Post.
I guess this depends on the country, but I would certainly not assume this in Canada. At least, not in the province where I live. Most people can't
differentiate an organic synthesis from drug cookery. The first thing the police will assume is that we are operating a clandestine lab and YOU will
have to justify that you are not. So, keep a lab notebook and avoid ordering things that could attract unecessary attention. Such as very large
amount of glassware or importing Scheduled precursors such as red phosphorus
[Edited on 2-10-2020 by Morue]
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Fyndium
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The issue with the police is indeed that unless it is apparent that nothing illegal is going on, they can just seize EVERYTHING in order to play on
the safe side and "prevent possible things from happening" and then after several months and destroying most of the stuff when "taking samples"
conclude that a crime has not happened, you get it back. If you're VERY lucky, they get someone who is expertised on these matters and they quickly
conclude that this chemistry stuff is not illegal.
You don't have to prove that you're not guilty, but they will start building a case and dig much deeper if you go the no comment path. Just showing a
few logical facts that justifies what you appear, and they quickly drop the case.
The general procedure in my country is to use a vague warrant of "general danger" when dealing with stuff that could be a) a chemical, and b) that
could be used for making anything that can be of harm to health or security of anyone and they will come with force and roll everything around. I know
two guys who had this happen on them, the other one ordered a nitro group reagent that made the bomb dog interest to the parcel, and the other one was
raided "because he ordered so much stuff". The reason I do not order any nitrate or nitro group stuff over borders is this exact reason, unless it's
something I absolutely need and I'm prepared for a raid and ready to provide elaborate facts what for I ordered it and have absolutely nothing that
could even remotely appear suspicious.
There was a breaking news header several years ago, when a drain cleaner leaked in an apartment and caused some irritation on someone's olfactory
senses, and the building was evacuated and "the police investigated where the acid was obtained." My eyes literally rolled, like, they sell that stuff
by the liter on the opposite store where this happened.
No matter how careful you are, sometime, somewhere there will be someone who thinks something's going on, and the big wheel starts rolling, and you
better be prepared. I routinely do risk assessments when obtaining stuff not purchasable with cash from a store in order to figure out if someone
could come asking something.
[Edited on 2-10-2020 by Fyndium]
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foreign maple
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Mood: I'm fine
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| Quote: Originally posted by VancouverBackyardChemist | Hi, I'm just starting out my backyard lab and ordered a bunch of the standard lab glassware (Beakers, Erlenmeyer, RBFs, condenser and Vigreux columns,
pipettes, test tubes) from Chinese suppliers and I'm wondering has any other forum member from Canada experienced issues with customs when importing
glassware? I've read the cases of police surveillance or home visits are all in Australia or the US, wondering whether any fellow Canadian home
chemists have experienced issues? Do Canadian police put you on a watch list for simply ordering glassware? I read up on our import laws and nowhere
does it say that glassware is a prohibited item, but seeing how many fellow forum members have had issues with the police in other countries, I want
to know what it's like in Canada.
Also, does the CBSA charge you heavy handling fees? I searched online and different sources vary in the amount of handling fees you have to pay, some
say around $10-20 while one source said you needed to pay up to $80. I know you definitely have to pay import taxes and duties but how bad are the
handling fees? |
I have never had any fees from the CBSA or any issues. I do get occasional problems from
Chinese customs though. tbh we are probably on a watchlist for having SM accounts. but in all honesty i am not sure if ordering lab supplies will land
you on a list. i dont really care if im on a list bcs i am not doing anything wrong nor planning on doing anything wrong. but if i cant land a job or
fly i would be super pissed.
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violet sin
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I ordered from these guys for my SM secret Santa 2020: https://alchemylabsupply.3dcartstores.com/myaccount.asp
As far as I know, it's quality and they worked nicely with me, california resident, to gift a package to a canadian resident. They are in Canada, and
don't have to do customs inspections. Not sure how the price point compares, but I'm trying to give them as much advertising as possible, they made
my life easy, and a decent Christmas for another member.
They are closed for today and back open tomorrow I guess.
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zed
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Registered: 6-9-2008
Location: Great State of Jefferson, City of Portland
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Mood: Semi-repentant Sith Lord
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Ummm. Canadian authorities are paying attention to items shipped from China.
The last few years, there has been an epidemic of Fentanyl troubles in Vancouver.
Lots of dead people from ODs, etc. etc..
Guys were complaining that mail deliveries were being delayed, because Customs was inspecting, EVERY parcel from China.
I can't know what LE is thinking, but illicit domestic chemistry isn't their big problem right now.
The North American continent, is being drowned, by Methamphetamines and Opiates, from China and Mexico.
[Edited on 10-4-2021 by zed]
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Fyndium
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Registered: 12-7-2020
Location: Not in USA
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I would think that ordering some small experiment size stuff does not interest them even a tiny bit, because the worst you could do is some minor
quantities. But if you were ordering pallets of 20L flasks, mantles and other production scale stuff, someone might actually give a f* about it.
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