OH CANADA: Sneakerheads North of the Border are Paying Crazy Tariffs for V.A.A. Air Jordan 1 High Alaska
PublishedQuick Facts
- Sneakerheads in Canada are paying high import fees for their Virgil Abloh Archives x Air Jordan 1 High
- One Reddit post shows UPS charging $220 CAD (approx $160 USD) to have the package delivered
- Find out how to lower the import fees below
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Sometimes politics does sneak its way into our hobby of collecting sneakers, and it’s usually not pretty when it does. US President Donald Trump enacted widespread tariffs at the start of his second term in office, something that greatly affected the sneaker industry, prompting brands to raise prices across the board. Shipping items into the US from other countries and vice versa may result in import duties, something that was around prior to these new policies. However, prices are now much higher than they were before, just look at what some sneakerheads in Canada are facing with the Virgil Abloh Archives x Air Jordan 1 High Alaska release.
In a Reddit post from user Solojay1635, they shared a screenshot that shows UPS is charging them $220.45 CAD (approx $160 USD) in import fees. The package in question is the V.A.A. x Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG, which they appear to have won via V.A.A.’s EQL raffle that was held last week. At this point, maybe it’d be better to drive to Alaska to get a pair of Alaskas. We only kid, but there is actually a way to lower your import fees, reducing the $220.45 CAD to around $112 CAD.
How to Lower Import Fees on Sneakers
In Canada, you can self-declare the item you are receiving and avoid paying the brokerage fees that UPS tacks on to clear your package through customs. First, you must reach out to UPS and inform them you’re self-clearing the item in question, obtain the tracking number, get the commercial invoice, and then take these documents to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). After you fill out the forms, pay the import fees (without the added fees from UPS), you then email a copy of the stamped form to UPS.
Some users online have claimed that it may take some time and that UPS requires you to pay the fees within 72 hours, or they will return the package to the sender. Your mileage may vary in these cases, but here’s a full guide on how to go through this process.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts, catching the latest movies, and trying new food. For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com
