Canadians...any problem importing supplements or getting labs covered?

I'm considering moving home to Canada (BC).

Can anyone share their experience accessing the right supplements in Canada (or importing them). I currently follow Vitalady's program...generally, I buy from Vitalady and the rest of my supplements from Vitacost. Are you able to buy many of your supplements in Canada? Do you pay duty to import supplements from the US? Any experience with driving them across the border?

Does the same hold true for protein bars, etc (I use Quest)?

Also, any problems getting labs covered?

Thanks in advance.

Tricia

No problem importing vitamins to Canada, but you will pay taxes duties and mailing fees. I currently use Vitacost, Vitalady's mailing charges a  little high. I do not have any experience about crossing the border. Also, some labs are covered by the provincial health plan.

Thanks SO much for your response.

Approximately how much do you pay in duty for the supplements?

Tricia

I think is about 13 percent of the total purchase I could be wrong

That gives me an idea of what to expect...just trying to take everything into consideration and make sure I can make it work financially.

Thanks a lot.

Tricia

No actual experience but I remember reading about one person who had some trouble with Vitamin K
due to the dosage levels. You might want to search the archives.

You shouldn't have a problem having your lab work covered. After 3 months in BC, you have to start paying into MSP, which will cover your labs so long as a doctor orders them. Finding a GP who is taking new patients is a bit of a mission, so check with the health authority of the area your moving to and see if you can find a list that way. I live on the Island and my city of 100,000 people only has 3 doctors taking new patients right now.

As for the shipping, I am able to buy everything my nutritionist recommends here, save for the Nectar protein. Given how much I like their protein, and how much I dislike everything else I've tried, I'm OK paying the extra. If you are planning on doing a lot of importing, there are package forwarding services that you can use. Essentially, you rent an address in the US from this company, they package everything into one big box, then send it to you in Canada. You might be able to get away with less duty on one big box rather than 10 small ones.

I’d be moving back to Victoria and I know it is hard to find a GP.  When my brother (in Victoria) married, it was even difficult for his doctor to find space to take his new wife. My friends & family in the lower mainland tell similar stories.

I was worried that I’d get settled back up there and then have some horrible surprize that the labs wouldn’t be covered. Does working with the nutritionist help ensure that the labs are covered? I’m sure that most people there have never heard of a DS. I just had spinal surgery in a hospital in the San Francisco Bay Area where the DS is performed and there was still huge issues with my supplements and protein needs met (they actually sent an armed security guard to confiscate my supplements from me until my discharge!).

I have a friend in Seattle and could in a pinch, send things to her but I’d prefer that she not have the hassle. By any chance do your know the name of any packaging forwarding services?

Thanks SO much. Your info helps me to figure out whether it makes sense financially.

Tricia

If we do a Sauceda dinner in Vacaville, do you want to join us?  How soon are you looking to move?

Yes, definitely! As long as i am driving again by that time, count me in (still on some heavy duty pain meds & wearing a neck brace after spinal surgery).

IF I move, it would be towards the end of October. Not sure what's happening yet...just trying to determine if things might be easier on me to move.

Any idea when the get together will be?

I can't wait 'til I finally get my turn with the great Dr Sauceda! 

Thanks,

Tricia