Why Buy Equipment in Canada Instead of Importing from the U.S.
The sticker price on a U.S. machine looks competitive — until you add exchange rates, customs duties, brokerage fees, and cross-border freight. Here's what importing really costs.
What Does Importing Really Cost?
Enter a U.S. equipment price to see the true landed cost in Canada. Most buyers are surprised by how fast the gap closes — or reverses.
U.S. Import Scenario
Defaults based on typical commercial equipment imports. Adjust to match your situation.
True Landed Cost (Importing)
Buy from Prolift Canada
Buying Canadian vs. Importing from the U.S.
| Buy from Prolift Canada | Import from the U.S. | |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | CAD — no conversion needed | USD — subject to exchange rate fluctuations |
| Customs duties | None | 5–8% of declared value |
| Brokerage fees | None | $250–$500 per shipment |
| GST/HST | On purchase price only | On total landed cost (price + duty + freight) |
| Freight | 1–2 weeks, domestic rates | 4–6 weeks, cross-border + customs delays |
| Warranty service | Local — same province, same-day response | Cross-border — ship back to the U.S., weeks of downtime |
| Technical support | Phone/email, same time zone | International call, potential language/timezone gaps |
| Parts availability | Canadian stock, no import wait | Ship from U.S. warehouse, customs clearance again |
Six Reasons to Buy Canadian
No Currency Risk
Pay in CAD. No exchange rate surprises between quote and invoice. Your budget stays predictable.
Zero Import Duties
Buying from a Canadian supplier means no customs duties, no brokerage fees, and no border paperwork.
Faster Delivery
Domestic shipping: 1–2 weeks. No customs holds, no freight forwarding complications, no surprise delays.
Local Warranty & Support
When your $250K glazing project stops because a machine needs service, we pick up the phone. Same province, same time zone, same-day response.
Simpler Procurement
Canadian invoicing, Canadian tax receipts, no foreign vendor onboarding. Your accounting team will thank you.
Support Canadian Business
Keep equipment dollars in the Canadian economy. Proudly Canadian-owned, based in British Columbia.
Zero-Downtime Support
When your $250K glazing project stops because your imported machine needs warranty service, who picks up the phone?
We do — same province, same time zone, same-day response. No cross-border shipping for parts. No weeks of downtime waiting for an international warranty claim. Local support isn't a perk — it's insurance against lost revenue.
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