GOOD advice about bringing STUFF over THE BORDER!!!! THANKS!

[timmy!]

Hello all, long time lurker first time poster.

Ok here is the deal I bought 40GB 7200rpmMaxtor, Cendyne 52x24x52 Internal CD-RW Drive, 50 CDRs and artec scanner off STAPLES(US) for $183.13 - $150MIR = 33.13US$ today
Sweet deal i know :wink: but the problem is to get the stuff over the border. Does somebody have a link or a number that can give me info about the duties and the taxes applicable.

Even better if u have any ideas how i could avoid duties, taxes etc that would be :twisted: I use the Windsor tunnel crossing.

If somebody would like info on the deal let me know i'll post it.
Note: STAPLES deal is on till midnight tonight only and u need to have a american credit card/chequing account, and ofcource they ship only to US.

Thanks

[AnimeEd]

i have only crossed the border a few times, but i don't think they search your car, do they?
just open all the stuff and throw away the boxes or something

[thomas997]

dont the mail in rebates also have to be from a US address

or do you have that covered ;)

smuggle it in! dont blame me if you get caught...

[timmy!]

AnimeEd: They search cars at random :? I am planning to do what u're saying if nothing else works. Can you 'lie' about your stay in the US or do they know when you left?? anybody know?
cause if u can i could say i was away for 7 days and then i am allowed to bring in a few hundred $ worth of stuff.

thomas997 i got friend in Michigan, that is where i'm shipping it. I might have to smuggle em in like AnimeEd said but i think i'll just sell off the scanner on ebay.com or something for some cash and so no hassle of bringing it over. i only bought it to get 50$ off 200$ anyway :wink:

i know some ppl have mail boxes in the US on the west coast. how are u guys bringing your stuff in????

[HighFlyer]

Can you 'lie' about your stay in the US or do they know when you left?? anybody know?
cause if u can i could say i was away for 7 days and then i am allowed to bring in a few hundred $ worth of stuff.
The onus is on you to prove it (either with an airline ticket, boarding pass, or hotel receipt). I know US customs agents keep track of license plates on land borders, and passport numbers at airports. With increasing anti-terrorism measures, Canada and US routinely share this info. Don't lie. If caught, you'll have your merchandise seized, and your passport info flagged on their computers so you can be sure to get the rubber gloves treatment every time you clear customs.

Most recently at YYZ customs, I have been asked on numerous occasions whether or not I was carrying a laptop in my carry on bag. Others in my office have reported similar occurances.

[timmy!]

Thanks for the heads up HighFlyer


Recently they have been paying extra attention to people carrying laptops back and asking for receipts at YYZ customs.

You mean people bringing back laptops from the US and YYZ(what's that?-just an example?) customs asking them for their Canadian reciepts to prove it if they bought it in Canada before they left for the US?

[HighFlyer]

You mean people bringing back laptops from the US and YYZ(what's that?-just an example?) customs asking them for their Canadian reciepts to prove it if they bought it in Canada before they left for the US?
YYZ=Toronto airport

Yup, they are checking for Canadian receipts or the green card that you can get from Canada customs that proves that you had the item before leaving Canada.

[getmail99]

.. the green card that you can get from Canada customs that proves that you had the item before leaving Canada.

Where do you get the green card? If you drive to the state,
nobody is checking you from Canada side?

How about the camcorder or digital camera, do they ask for
receipts?

[HighFlyer]

.. the green card that you can get from Canada customs that proves that you had the item before leaving Canada.

Where do you get the green card? If you drive to the state,
nobody is checking you from Canada side?
I get them at the airport. They are located on the arrivals level, right near the meet and greet zone where the passengers exit the customs area. You don't have to be flying or leave the country to have it done. Not sure about land crossings.

How about the camcorder or digital camera, do they ask for
receipts?
They could ask you for them, and they are just as good as the green cards. But I'd rather carry the green card since it's the size of a business card and can list up to 10 items.

[Melchior]

i have only crossed the border a few times, but i don't think they search your car, do they?
just open all the stuff and throw away the boxes or something

I have a mailbox in Point Roberts, WA. I cross the border into the US once every two or three weeks to pick up stuff that me or my friends have ordered. Since February, Canada Customs has searched my car three times. The first time they pulled the carpet lining away from the sides of my trunk to search there (presumably looking for drugs or cash or something), and didn't properly put them back (which is how I knew they'd searched there).

They have, of course, never found anything in my car for which I didn't have a receipt, but still they search me. I swear, there must be something on their file for my license plate number that says "we've searched his car over and over and we still can't find anything! We must make a preemtive defense to find his WMDs!". AFAIK, Canada Customs has the ability to seize goods that you're bringing across if you don't declare them (depending on the situation, they can hold the goods until you pay an additional fine on top of duty and such, or they can seize the goods and not return them at all), and they can in some cases also seize your vehicle. IMO, it's not worth screwing with Canada Customs-- not for the few dollars that you'll have to pay in taxes. Most computer stuff (even if manufactured overseas) has a 0% duty rate, though you'll still have to pay taxes...

[sfu_lifer]

Yeah don't sneak it.
If busted, they'll make you pay a sliding scale of added penalties on all the stuff you lied about. Not worth it plus you get a mark on your record to be anally searched each time you come back to Canada.
First offense I think is 30% on top in addition to PST/GST.
Just remember, with the rebates you're still making a killing even if taxed on the full amount.

[hp]

So it's $180 USD, you pay 15% when you cross the border.

Is it worth the hassel to avoid $20?

If you get caught, they flag your license plate for 5 years, so everytime you cross the border, they will search you.

[poppa]

Have fun, btw, they convert the 180 USD to CAD and calculate tax from there. So it's more like 35-40 bucks of tax.

http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

[hp]

You don't have to pay in Canadian Dollars, the gov will accept USD too.

All I am saying is that for $30 to $40, it's not worth it.

[getmail99]

.. the green card that you can get from Canada customs that proves that you had the item before leaving Canada.

I get them at the airport. They are located on the arrivals level, ...

arrivals level :? These Canada Customs people must be
smart. :wink: Can any one tell me the reason to put the
green card at the arrivals level?

[HighFlyer]

arrivals level   :?  These Canada Customs people must be
smart.  :wink:  Can any one tell me the reason to put the
green card at the arrivals level?
Because that is where all of there agents are stationed for their main purpose.... to check all incoming international flights. Your items (and corresponding serial numbers) have to be verified by an officer and recorded on the card by them. It also carries the CCRA stamp. If you plan on doing this, go to T1, the walk is shorter than T2 or T3.

[timmy!]

Thanks for all the tips guy :) CDRW, CDr's and HD getting shipped tomorrow(To friend's place in MI). i'll pick them up before the end of the week.

I think i am going to pay the duties, cause i cross the border often and don't want no hassle(it can be pretty bad even just with the traffic volume)!anyway will let u guys know how much duty i was charged and how it ALL worked out. still hoping to hear from the guys on the west coast who have mail boxes in the states.

just another thing why the *hell* does my message get deleted when i try to add a smiley ><

[Melchior]

As far as duty rates go, download the duties document from here:
http://www.mtrs.org/temp/t2003-1_01-99acce...ssversion-e.zip (http://www.mtrs.org/temp/t2003-1_01-99accessversion-e.zip)

You'll need MS Access or some such program to view it. Unzip the file, open it, and open the TPHS table. Search the description field for items of the description that you're brinding in. US-made products carry zero duties. Products made overseas generally have duties from the MFN (Most Favourde Nation) column. You'll have to pay GST+PST on everything (unless certain items are PST/GST exempt in your province).

Edit: I should note that I have a mailbox down in Point Roberts WA, and most of the time the customs people are great coming back into Canada.

[Keelie]

not worth it to try and hide something. i mean if i buy some new clothes or what not, thats different, hard for them to tell if you had them or just bought.

i've only been searched once, but they ripped the whole bloody car apart. eveything in my suitcase was thrown all over the place and left in a horrible mess. was not impressed :P

of course you could always take a bare computer with you and tell them you have it, they write you up a ticket that you show when you come back across. then throw the new stuff in it.

[TheBlueShirt]

The top post's idea is nice....for computer parts, just buy a cheap case for 30 bucks and find a used mobo(doesn't matter if it works), then just put new parts inside and bring it back.

Still, 7% here, so not a big deal.

[timmy!]

of course you could always take a bare computer with you and tell them you have it, they write you up a ticket that you show when you come back across. then throw the new stuff in it.

clever idea :wink: but....have you ever tried this? i'm not sure how it could work, because when you are going to the US we pass the toll booths and then the US CUSTOMS, we never pass any CANADIAN CUSTOMS when going over so when do they give us the slip/ticket??? :? :?

Melchior: thanks for that link. but i gotta say that table is a HUGE. i can't even find anyreference to computer parts. so, are u just paying GST/PST for computer parts when you bring them over from Point Roberts???? have u ever had to pay custom charges on some computer product that was manufactured abroad but bought from the US??? :?

[HighFlyer]

clever idea :wink: &nbsp; but....have you ever tried this? i'm not sure how it could work, because when you are going to the US we pass the toll booths and then the US CUSTOMS, we never pass any CANADIAN CUSTOMS when going over so when do they give us the slip/ticket??? :? &nbsp;:? &nbsp;

I've registered about 10 items, and every time I have been asked for the receipt. If you can't produce a receipt, they will ask lots of questions as to it's origin, where you bought it, how long ago, how much, etc. Make sure there is a serial number or some unique code, it'll make it easier for the CCRA agent to identify the item and reduce the number of questions. The exact name of the card is "Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation". Perhaps the process is not as bad at land crossings. But in particular, avoid the red head at YYZ (Toronto) Terminal 2 US arrivals.

Customs agents are also located at airports. I've posted about this procedure a few posts up.

[timmy!]

clever idea :wink: &nbsp; but....have you ever tried this? i'm not sure how it could work, because when you are going to the US we pass the toll booths and then the US CUSTOMS, we never pass any CANADIAN CUSTOMS when going over so when do they give us the slip/ticket??? :? &nbsp;:? &nbsp;

I've registered about 10 items, and every time I have been asked for the receipt. If you can't produce a receipt, they will ask lots of questions as to it's origin, where you bought it, how long ago, how much, etc. Make sure there is a serial number or some unique code, it'll make it easier for the CCRA agent to identify the item and reduce the number of questions. The exact name of the card is "Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation". Perhaps the process is not as bad at land crossings. But in particular, avoid the red head at YYZ (Toronto) Terminal 2 US arrivals.

Customs agents are also located at airports. I've posted about this procedure a few posts up.

What i am trying to say is that when we go over to the US by car, is it even possible to get this card??? because you don't go through CANADA CUSTOMS when going over by car(at least in windsor).
you pay the TOLL on the canadian side, go through the bridge/tunnel, and then next ppl you see is US CUSTOM. no Canadian custom involved, so no opportunity to get the items listed???(unless US CUSTOMS makes a note of what u are taking over and exchanges that infor with CANDIAN CUSTOMS?)

[HighFlyer]

Haven't done a land crossing recently, but I do recall at the Queenston/Lewiston bridge (Buffalo) there were signs pointing to Canadian Immigration (possibly customs?) right before US INS/customs. You might want to check there, or just give the CCRA a call.

[timmy!]

yup i'm gonna give CCRA a call before i go over.
thank again for all the tips! :)

[sfu_lifer]

I've registered about 10 items, and every time I have been asked for the receipt. &nbsp;If you can't produce a receipt, they will ask lots of questions as to it's origin, where you bought it, how long ago, how much, etc. &nbsp;Make sure there is a serial number or some unique code, it'll make it easier for the CCRA agent to identify the item and reduce the number of questions. &nbsp;The exact name of the card is "Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation". &nbsp;Perhaps the process is not as bad at land crossings. &nbsp;But in particular, avoid the red head at YYZ (Toronto) Terminal 2 US arrivals.

Customs agents are also located at airports. &nbsp;I've posted about this procedure a few posts up.
Wait, even with that registration card they will still ask for a receipt?
I'm afraid of bringing my laptop over just because of this. I got it across last time since I got it from ebay and it fit my $750 exemption.
I was hoping that registration card will keep the agents from harassing me if they ever decide to search me :D.

[Melchior]

Melchior: thanks for that link. but i gotta say that table is a HUGE. i can't even find anyreference to computer parts. so, are u just paying GST/PST for computer parts when you bring them over from Point Roberts???? have u ever had to pay custom charges on some computer product that was manufactured abroad but bought from the US??? :?

Heh, it kinda catches you off-guard when it unzips to 60 megs, eh? ...The last time I came back up from the US, I'd $50 worth of computer parts (amongst hundreds worth of other items), and I was charged $0 in duties on those computer parts. Thinking about it, I've never paid any duties on computer parts. However, I'm not sure that I've ever had to tell the customs officials *where* my computer stuff was manufactured-- I've usually just said "probably overseas somewhere, I haven't bothered to check", and they havent' asked questions beyond there.

[timmy!]

but you had to pay GST/PST?

[Melchior]

but you had to pay GST/PST?

Yup. Always GST, and almost always PST-- I'm a cyclist, and in BC, bike parts aren't subject to PST, thus I don't get charged PST on bike parts.

[SleepyGSR]

At all the crossing in Vancouver, we do drive by Canada Customs before we get to the US border people. I just park the car and walk into Canada Customs to declare my items. They write me up a green card, and I'm on my way.

I have forgetten to declare some things and I just told the US border guy that I forgot to declare some items. He just told me to drive around back to Canada Customs to declare them. Then when I get to the Canadian border people, I had to tell them the same story. They just told me where to park. No problems.



clever idea :wink: &nbsp; but....have you ever tried this? i'm not sure how it could work, because when you are going to the US we pass the toll booths and then the US CUSTOMS, we never pass any CANADIAN CUSTOMS when going over so when do they give us the slip/ticket??? :? &nbsp;:? &nbsp;

I've registered about 10 items, and every time I have been asked for the receipt. If you can't produce a receipt, they will ask lots of questions as to it's origin, where you bought it, how long ago, how much, etc. Make sure there is a serial number or some unique code, it'll make it easier for the CCRA agent to identify the item and reduce the number of questions. The exact name of the card is "Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation". Perhaps the process is not as bad at land crossings. But in particular, avoid the red head at YYZ (Toronto) Terminal 2 US arrivals.

Customs agents are also located at airports. I've posted about this procedure a few posts up.

What i am trying to say is that when we go over to the US by car, is it even possible to get this card??? because you don't go through CANADA CUSTOMS when going over by car(at least in windsor).
you pay the TOLL on the canadian side, go through the bridge/tunnel, and then next ppl you see is US CUSTOM. no Canadian custom involved, so no opportunity to get the items listed???(unless US CUSTOMS makes a note of what u are taking over and exchanges that infor with CANDIAN CUSTOMS?)

[HighFlyer]

I've registered about 10 items, and every time I have been asked for the receipt. &nbsp;If you can't produce a receipt, they will ask lots of questions as to it's origin, where you bought it, how long ago, how much, etc. &nbsp;Make sure there is a serial number or some unique code, it'll make it easier for the CCRA agent to identify the item and reduce the number of questions. &nbsp;The exact name of the card is "Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation". &nbsp;Perhaps the process is not as bad at land crossings. &nbsp;But in particular, avoid the red head at YYZ (Toronto) Terminal 2 US arrivals.

Customs agents are also located at airports. &nbsp;I've posted about this procedure a few posts up.
Wait, even with that registration card they will still ask for a receipt?
I'm afraid of bringing my laptop over just because of this. I got it across last time since I got it from ebay and it fit my $750 exemption.
I was hoping that registration card will keep the agents from harassing me if they ever decide to search me :D.
No, you only need the receipt when you go to register the item. After that, just present the green card upon request.

[timmy!]

I brought everything over today :) . the guy at the border asked me as usual "buy/receivE anything?". i said ya computer parts. he asked me for the value i said about 200$US. I showed him the shipping slips for all items. looks like he thought it was going to be too much paper work so he just said "allright" :P and i took off after saying thankyou!

no taxes no duties!!! :lol:
just one bad part to the story i got a 20$ parking ticket in detroit. i got back to the car just 10 minutes after the meter expired :x

overall it worked out ok. sent in the mail in rebates allready; if everything works out
i will pay staples 14.72 after MIRs for HD, CDRs, and scanner(no CDRW from staples they said it was out of stock but i still got the 50$ coupon! :lol: )
And will pay office max 3.29 for CDRW(53.29aftertax - 40MIR - 10 MSN wallet credit) :P

thanks to all for you advice and i will need more for putting in the CDRW and the HD :wink:

[fance_mark]

I have been thinking of doing something similar, in that I'd like to buy a TV in the States and bring it across. But I am afraid the Duty will be too much and not make it worth my while.

The TV in question is that Sony XBR800 which is $4500+tax here.
In the states its $2300US before any haggling. with the currecny doing so well, the TV turns out to be only $3300 or something. Quiet a huge difference.

I realize this isn't something I can just hide in the back seat.

I am thinking about renting a big moving truck and saying that I am helping my friend move in with me for the summer, or something like that.

Any suggestions??

[stevethewheel]

Got a friend with a motor home?

Since a mobile home is a "home" there are lots of appliances and so on that can reasonably be on board.

I'll let you connect the dots. And do your homework on what is reasonably allowed.

[inf]

Did you lie about how long you were in the states?

I don't understand why you didn't pay gst and pst :?
If you bring back anything without a stay you are supposed to pay gst and pst on it. (in Ontario anyway)
I don't buy the paperwork bit as he wouldn't be handling it,
it would be someone else inside the offices.

[synaptech]

sometimes they just let you go through. no payments, nothing. but if you lie and get busted... be prepared for some uncomfortable experiences...

[HighFlyer]

it all depends on the mood of the agents. there have been a few encounters where agents didn't say a word.... they would just scan the passport, stamp it along with the boarding pass and hand everything back.... without even a smile/grunt.

[timmy!]

Did you lie about how long you were in the states?

I don't understand why you didn't pay gst and pst &nbsp;:? &nbsp;
If you bring back anything without a stay you are supposed to pay gst and pst on it. (in Ontario anyway)
I don't buy the paperwork bit as he wouldn't be handling it,
it would be someone else inside the offices.

Sorry about the delay guys, no i did not lie. i told him i just went over today(btw i don't think u could lie if you go over by car, somebody here mentioned they have the records-they exchange it with US customs probably)

i'm was just speculating about the paper work bit may be he just liked me or was in a good mood!

MARK: i'm not sure if u know any dual citizens, i have 'heard' they are allowed to bring items without much hassle. or u might want to take a little vacation and coming back after 7 days you are allowed $750. times that by the number of your family member and u will taxes on the remainder of what what is left 3300 - 750*X(ofcource i am assuming that they let family members combine their 750$ limit)

[GangStarr]

well, everytime I cross the boarder, they never ever ever ever ever say anything, especially back to Canada. Last time I was coming back from Lake Placid (New York) the guy didn't even look at our passports. When I went to nyc I bought a whole load of fake purses and wallets to sell here (made a HUGE profit, best part is the people buying em knew they were fake and didn't care) and I just said I had some personal gifts, I think your allowed to bring back under 1k without paying dutys or taxes, I just said I bought them from a street vendor and he waived us through.

Only time ive ever gotten checked was on my way to lake placid, They asked us the usual, why were there (snowboarding) how long were staying there (3 days) and then he asked us the biggie, were we born in Canada, we replied no, 2 of us were from Poland and one from Checz, they pulled us over, popped the trunk, filled out some paper work (was fretting the rubber glove) and was told to have a good trip, infact Lake Placid which is a two time olympic city and an hour away from the cornwall crossing, the people there had no idea what lake placid was, haha they remakred "oh must be far if theres still snow" yeah umm an hour and a half far idiots

heh, you could always get unlucky, if I had gotten caught bringing some of the stuff into the states that I did, eeep

[HighFlyer]

or u might want to take a little vacation and coming back after 7 days you are allowed $750. times that by the number of your family member and u will taxes on the remainder of what what is left 3300 - 750*X(ofcource i am assuming that they let family members combine their 750$ limit)
you can't combine exemptions, at least not when coming back to Canada. on the customs form there is a "$______" field for each passenger. The US does allow combining.

[Rehan]

MARK: i'm not sure if u know any dual citizens, i have 'heard' they are allowed to bring items without much hassle.
Maybe "dual residents", if there is such a thing, might be able to get away with a little more than the average person...but I know for sure that dual citizens do not; citizenship is pretty much irrelevant in this case.

[SleepyGSR]

I've registered about 10 items, and every time I have been asked for the receipt. &nbsp;If you can't produce a receipt, they will ask lots of questions as to it's origin, where you bought it, how long ago, how much, etc. &nbsp;Make sure there is a serial number or some unique code, it'll make it easier for the CCRA agent to identify the item and reduce the number of questions. &nbsp;The exact name of the card is "Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation". &nbsp;Perhaps the process is not as bad at land crossings. &nbsp;But in particular, avoid the red head at YYZ (Toronto) Terminal 2 US arrivals.

Customs agents are also located at airports. &nbsp;I've posted about this procedure a few posts up.
Wait, even with that registration card they will still ask for a receipt?
I'm afraid of bringing my laptop over just because of this. I got it across last time since I got it from ebay and it fit my $750 exemption.
I was hoping that registration card will keep the agents from harassing me if they ever decide to search me :D.
No, you only need the receipt when you go to register the item. After that, just present the green card upon request.

I've never presented a receipt to get the little green card. I've always just showed them the item. They write down the serial number on the card and stamp it. I've done this many times to avoid any unpleasantries on the way back.

[timmy!]

MARK: i'm not sure if u know any dual citizens, i have 'heard' they are allowed to bring items without much hassle.
Maybe "dual residents", if there is such a thing, might be able to get away with a little more than the average person...but I know for sure that dual citizens do not; citizenship is pretty much irrelevant in this case.

Not exactly, i worked with a guy who is married over there and he has dual CITIZENSHIP, they are free to move which ever side of the border they wish(he is working and living here; wife working here but living in MI) and he brings stuff over from MI without paying anything and he declares it(not using the 24+hours exemption either!)-- ofcourse he TOLD me this, not yet tried something like this myself so..don't know the specifications

[Melchior]

Well, today my car got searched for the fourth time (third time in a row!) as I crossed the border from Point Roberts back towards Vancouver. As with every single time they've searched my car, they haven't found any illegal substances or undeclared goods.

I figure they must be looking for WMDs or something along those lines (weapons of mass destruction). Or maybe they've decided that I'm a suspicious character and that they need to observe me at every opportunity-- I'm half-Indian, after all! And I work a good job! And I have a fast car! There must be something up with me! ...Or maybe they suspect that something's up with me, since I usually purchase *technology* items that have been manufactured overseas! Man, with all those cheap electronics, I've *got* to be plotting something!

Or maybe they're just bored-- every time I've been searched has been a time when nobody else has been pulled to the side to pay duties...

On the positive side, it seems that their searches of my car keep getting quicker and quicker. Today's must've lasted about a minute, maybe two. The first time lasted almost 15 minutes and they pulled the carpeting away from the walls of my trunk...

...Or maybe they think something's up with the smell coming from my trunk-- my trunk seals leak, and I'm sure I have strange new breeds of mould growing in my spare wheel well...

Argh!

[timmy!]

And I have a fast car

I think what they are looking for is narcotics. Big busts down here in the last couple of months. You might want to try NEXUS it is $80 to apply. I am going to apply soon as i go to school in detroit. With NEXUS you flash the card to go through(NEXUS has its own lane)no big line ups at customs. you become a "low risk" traveller.

and the bit about you being half indian, i'm one and i have only been searched 1time. :twisted: :wink:

[AnimeEd]

Well, today my car got searched for the fourth time (third time in a row!) as I crossed the border from Point Roberts back towards Vancouver. As with every single time they've searched my car, they haven't found any illegal substances or undeclared goods.

I figure they must be looking for WMDs or something along those lines (weapons of mass destruction). Or maybe they've decided that I'm a suspicious character and that they need to observe me at every opportunity-- I'm half-Indian, after all! And I work a good job! And I have a fast car! There must be something up with me! ...Or maybe they suspect that something's up with me, since I usually purchase *technology* items that have been manufactured overseas! Man, with all those cheap electronics, I've *got* to be plotting something!

Or maybe they're just bored-- every time I've been searched has been a time when nobody else has been pulled to the side to pay duties...

On the positive side, it seems that their searches of my car keep getting quicker and quicker. Today's must've lasted about a minute, maybe two. The first time lasted almost 15 minutes and they pulled the carpeting away from the walls of my trunk...

...Or maybe they think something's up with the smell coming from my trunk-- my trunk seals leak, and I'm sure I have strange new breeds of mould growing in my spare wheel well...

Argh!
i would search you if you always look like this :D
http://mtrs.org/15.jpg

[Gdog]

So if I'm coming back to Canada from the US with 1000USD+ worth of items in one day...(computer+camera)...would I have to pay more tax since I have about 1200cdn worth of stuff?? or Would it be better to make a couple trips?

[xIcewind]

unless you're feeling up to paying ~180 CDN of tax, plus duties, i'd say you go to the states for a nice little vacation, come back, bring ~750 with you. for the computer, use it a bit, open it, yadda. [unless it's a gift]

and go back / get someone else to come to canada. also, take a bag with a broken comp that you can leave there, so if say customs marks down that you took "one computer" with you, you're taking "one computer" back. just not the same one. =P

[Gdog]

unless you're feeling up to paying ~180 CDN of tax, plus duties, i'd say you go to the states for a nice little vacation, come back, bring ~750 with you. for the computer, use it a bit, open it, yadda. [unless it's a gift]

and go back / get someone else to come to canada. also, take a bag with a broken comp that you can leave there, so if say customs marks down that you took "one computer" with you, you're taking "one computer" back. just not the same one. =P

I can't imagine spending 7 days down in Pt.Roberts for "sightseeing" ;)

[xIcewind]

take a road trip down to michigan or something. visit the campus' of famous universities, go tour somewhere.

or just camp there for 7 days. =P

you can always pray for the best - your chances of being searched aren't very high, but don't whine when you're hit and then they find it undeclared.

[Gdog]

take a road trip down to michigan or something. visit the campus' of famous universities, go tour somewhere.

or just camp there for 7 days. =P

you can always pray for the best - your chances of being searched aren't very high, but don't whine when you're hit and then they find it undeclared.

I'm most likely gonna pay the tax and not take the risk. It's the duties I'm worried about...even though the word of mouth is that most electronics do not have duties.

[bubble.tea]

Thanks for the heads up HighFlyer



You mean people bringing back laptops from the US and YYZ(what's that?-just an example?) customs asking them for their Canadian reciepts to prove it if they bought it in Canada before they left for the US?that's exactly what you should do....you should make a list of all the items you're taking across...ESPECIALLy if it's a lot.

[jazziman]

whoa.. this thread was 2 years old...

[Gdog]

whoa.. this thread was 2 years old...

I used the "Search" button...to revive this puppy from the dead. ;)

[impostor]

For legal reasons I'd never advise anyone to try bringing stuff back into Canada without declaring it at customs if you know there's likely to be duty/taxes payable. That being said... I have brought in a bottle of 180 proof rum (Stroh) w/o getting caught (it was my friend's car anyway :D ) but on the other hand I had to forfeit some supplement pills on a Saturday evening because they contained a banned ingredient and the mall had already closed and I didn't want to stay overnight. These were both pre-9/11.

[webdoctors]

buy an external enclosure and than when u take it down, stick da burner or HDD or whatever in it, and also take a laptop down wid u, can say u R burning music 4 frenz cause piracy legal in Canada LOLz.