What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
massdrop could we have any info on these new fees ? If I remember correctly, all my previous orders were done using USPS, I had access to a tracking number and never had to pay broker fees because packages were handled by CanadaPost at the border... what changed ?
We haven't changed our shipping policies. When we ship to Canada with USPS, they hand it off to Canada Customs, who inspects/processes it, and passes it to Canada Post who delivers it to your door.
Canada customs flags/inspects a small portion of the packages (our estimates is around 10%), assess the sales tax (generally 13% HST), and charges a $9.95 handling fee. Canada Post then delivers it to your doostep with a Cash-on-delivery notice. The 90% that don't get inspected, just pass through customs and show up at your door.
Why isn't this documented clearer on our website?
1) Every country has different policies, and we realistically can't track all of them 2) What I just wrote is a generalization of Canada's rules. Technically, Canada Customs can basically charge you any taxes/handling fees that they deem appropriate, and whether the're inspecting 10% or 50% or 90% of the packages, depends on how busy they are (how many people are on vacation...) 3) If we ship via UPS, they have an agreement with Canada Customs to "inspect all packages", so you're effectively guaranteed to have to pay taxes instead of 'rolling the dice'. Their brokerage fee is $30 instead of $10. 4) Random aside, Royal Mail UK seems to be really on-the-ball with inspecting packages and I've seen very few slip through without being charged taxes. They also take a lot longer because I imagine they have a big backlog of packages 5) International tracking is really, really expensive. Canadian tracking is less so and I think we're starting to get that rolling with USPS. 6) International shipping details are stated in our FAQ: https://www.massdrop.com/faq 7) Import taxes are the responsibility of the importer, not the exporter. Just like if you fly to the United states, buy something at Bestbuy, then try to bring it back to Canada, if the customs officials want to charge you taxes, is that your fault or Bestbuy's fault? E-commerce is slightly different but the broad strokes are the same.
Hope that clarifies some of your questions/thoughts!
Glad to hear that you guys are working on having more packages tracked when shipped to Canada :)