Need advice from customs experts

[Shojin]

I've got a large poster that I'd like to have restored in the US. The poster is worth a few hundred dollars and after repair (tear repair and linen backing) it's value will increase. I'd like to have the poster insured for it's full value during shipping but I don't want to pay duty/tax on it when it comes back to me since I already own it and I'm just temporarily exporting it for repair.

What can I do to let the CCRA (or whatever they're called now) know that I'm exporting temporarily for repair so that I don't get dinged duty/taxes on the full value on return to me? I understand I'm liable to pay duty/taxes on the repair value but that's ok, I'm just don't want to be assessed the full value that it will be insured for.

Anyone know what I should do? I dread having to call up the CCRA and play phone tag for a couple hours to get the info I need.

[cipher]

You need to go to a CRA office and fill out a form to let hem know you're exporting this item. Since it has no serial number on it, it's best that you take a photo of it and attach it to the form. Then when it comes back and if they try to charge duties/taxes, you show them the form.

[Shojin]

Dang... I am hoping to not have to go down there. I don't mind filling out a form and attaching pictures but does it have to be done in person? In any case does any one know what form I should be filling out?

I guess the same thing would apply for any items returned for warranty repair - anyone have to deal with this when sending back stuff to the US?

[cwb27]

The poster can be recorded as goods being temporarily being exported to the United States, however, as you mentioned the value of the poster will increase. The question is upon reimportation to Canada, are you responsible for paying taxes/duties based on the new, higher value, of the poster.

For example, in the case of modifications to vehicles that increase their value, the Customs Act states that the vehicle can no longer be considered 'Canadian Goods Returning', meaning you're responsible for paying applicable duties/taxes on the new value.

My educated guess is that you'll be resonsible for paying any duties/taxes on the new value of the poster as by definition it is no longer considered original Canadian goods and does not apply for an exemption under "Canadian Goods Returning".

I'd love to give you a forsure answer about this but I've been out of the system for a little while now. I highly recommend you contact the CBSA directly about this to get a forsure answer, there are a couple options available.
http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/contact/menu-e.html