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08/15/2006 08:06:49 PM · #1 |
OK, so I went and bought some camera gear in the states used. Never mind the advice on that...
What I'm looking to find out, is what has been your experience with customs when getting your stuff through? Have you been nailed with duty, GST and PST every time? Never?
What about going the other way? If you've shipped from the US to Canada, what can you tell me from your end?
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08/15/2006 08:22:11 PM · #2 |
if the item is less than 20$ unlikely they will bother
if the item is less than 50$ 50/50 you will be dinged
higher you are requered to pay GST/PST
ship by USPS you will pay CanadaPost a 5-8$ servce fee
ship by UPS you will pay thru the nose 20$-75$ for their brokerage service /nusance fee(ripoff)
others are someplace inbetween
goingsouth it will be held at the border to be checked for nasty things
but i have never heard of import duties from Canada to USA
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08/15/2006 08:23:30 PM · #3 |
Depends on the value of the goods. Also, it's generally duty and GST only, sometimes only GST.
If you ship and mark the package as a gift you may be able to avoid duty and taxes. Check the Canada customs website for any restrictions.
As far as getting it through, just have the bill of sale available to show cost and ownership. |
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08/15/2006 08:35:46 PM · #4 |
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08/15/2006 08:40:30 PM · #5 |
Customs Officer: "Where do you live?"
Me: "Burlington, Ontario."
Customs Officer: "Where have you been?"
Me: "Buffalo."
Customs Officer: "What was the purpose of your visit?"
Me: "Visiting friends."
Customs Officer: "How long were you there?"
Me: "Just today."
Customs Officer: "What's the value of any goods you're bringing back?"
Me: "$20."
Customs Officer: "Have a nice day."
Me: "Thanks."
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08/15/2006 08:52:09 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Customs Officer: "Where do you live?"
Me: "Burlington, Ontario."
Customs Officer: "Where have you been?"
Me: "Buffalo."
Customs Officer: "What was the purpose of your visit?"
Me: "Visiting friends."
Customs Officer: "How long were you there?"
Me: "Just today."
Customs Officer: "What's the value of any goods you're bringing back?"
Me: "$20."
Customs Officer: "Have a nice day."
Me: "Thanks." |
Not after January 8th. |
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08/15/2006 09:04:07 PM · #7 |
Officially, *gifts* with value below CAD$60 cross the border free of duty. If you are buying on eBay, sometimes you can ask the seller to mark the package as "gift" and specify the value at US$50 in the customs declaration. This works more often than not.
Whatever you do, avoid the UPS as the carrier. They charge very high customs brokerage fees on top of the duties. In another forum one guy complained that he was hit with $50 in brokerage fees and customs duties for an item whose value was under $20.
USPS is the best carrier, in my experience. |
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08/15/2006 09:58:13 PM · #8 |
If you actually purchased the stuff while in the US and were gone for 10 days or more, you have up to $750 CAD tax exempt. If you are travelling with someone else (wife, girlfriend), they also have access to $750 CAD. That makes for $1500 CAD tax exempt. That's pretty sweet.
The tax exemption if you were gone between two and ten days is $200 per person. If you were only gone for one day, tax exemption drops down to $50 / person.
If you purchased stuff online, there is a good chance that anything under $100 CAD will not be taxed. Anything over that and you will be required to pay GST or HST depending on where you live.
As for UPS dinging you with their stupid brokerage fee, avoid it by having stuff shipped UPS Express. You pay a little more for shipping, but they waive the brokerage fee. I prefer this to USPS cuz USPS stops tracking the parcel once it hits the border. It's blind shipping from then on. UPS tracks it around the world. I ship USPS for the cheaper stuff but always ask for UPS Express for the expensive stuff when ordering from the USA.
You usually have to pay the tax before the package is released to you. Most sellers will not reduce the value for shipping since both parties can be screwed if ever a claim has to be done for lost / damaged items.
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08/15/2006 10:02:56 PM · #9 |
Thanks everyone. If I just have to pay GST, not so bad. But what does "duty" entail? Anyone know how it's calculated.
To give you an idea. I bought a camera etc online from a guy and the Canadian cost was just over $800. It was a personal sale so I'm wondering to what extent things will be opened and checked if there isn't a customs form or something attached. I've never had a package come across with one. I don't think so anyways.
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08/15/2006 10:15:08 PM · #10 |
There is no duty on camera equipment.
There will be a US Customs form attached to the package at the post office or UPS plant detailing contents and value. Canada Border Services may open the package to confirm it's contents. |
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08/15/2006 10:29:49 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Beagleboy:
There is no duty on camera equipment.
There will be a US Customs form attached to the package at the post office or UPS plant detailing contents and value. Canada Border Services may open the package to confirm it's contents. |
Thanks God! Not that I'm doubting your word, but I sure hope you're right. Mind you, it sounds as though you know what you're talking about so as long as you aren't a politician or lawyer, we're good! LOL
GST I can handle paying.
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