Good news: NO TAXES or DUTIES/FEES WERE CHARGED!
So this is awesome deal for canadians - basically 46% off canadian msrp or 31% off US msrp!Although the amazon shipment confirmation email stated DHL, deutsche post was the carrier which means when it came to canada, canadapost took over for delivery, and therefore no fees unless they inspect it. There were no price labels on the outside but the custom forms were found inside a plastic pouch taped to the box, but there was so much words on the plastic pouch no one would ever see the 85 euro marked on the forms.
BAD NEWS: The set was not well packed, box was made up of cardboard panels taped up together and inside there was one scrunched brown paper to act as cushion. Also the seals were lifted off by someone or somehow got messed up during shipping. There was no tape from the customs so I don't suspect it was inspected and opened by border services and there would be a fee too. So this set was wide open on one side.
I dumped the contents and confirmed that all bags are there and there are many loose tracks and large pieces in this set but they were all there too.SUMMARY: Great deal as I said above but was disappointed the set was opened and I was not planning to open this set, just to hold on to for selling/trading later like I did with the cargo train deluxe. However, since it was a test/experient/gamble with the big unknown about the taxes/fees, I think it turned it ok. Now if the set was opened and I had to pay duties/taxes on top of that I would have been much more angry/disappointed.
The cargo train is still on sale at amazon.fr but not as cheap as before. Now it comes out to $102 euros or $143cdn, but still a great deal. Passenger train still on sale too but the discount does not make it worth pulling the trigger, as it comes out to about $126 shipped. Better to find a 20-25% off sale on US msrp. There is no more sale on the pirate ship or tower bridge either, else I would think about ordering those too!
