When an American comes to Canada w/ goodies..

[lucymag]

I'm not familiar w/ shopping in the states..so let me ask you.......

I order a camera&lenses (well over 3000$), get them shipped to a friend (US citizen) in Seattle, let my friend to bring those when he comes to Vancouver.

He'll not mention that those are for me. Is he going to get any trouble (ie pay tax or dutues to US or Canada customs) at the border when he comes to Vancouver (or when he leaves for not bringing those back with him?)

[iamnotamerican.com]

I'm not familiar w/ shopping in the states..so let me ask you.......

I order a camera&lenses (well over 3000$), get them shipped to a friend (US citizen) in Seattle, let my friend to bring those when he comes to Vancouver.

He'll not mention that those are for me. Is he going to get any trouble (ie pay tax or dutues to US or Canada customs) at the border when he comes to Vancouver (or when he leaves for not bringing those back with him?)
Failure to declare will get result in the items being seized AND your friend being fined and marked for inspection every time he comes in the future. You're not being a very good friend by asking him to do this sort of thing.

Just pay the duties and taxes that are due. If you don't want to do that, then clearly you don't think the camera stuff is worth it.

[ionic]

If they are opened, how would anyone differentiate beyond them being his for general use while on vacation?

[woof]

If all packaging, labels and tags have been left behind so that it looks like the camera is his personal property and if he claims it as such if asked then he won't have any issue with customs coming or going. American tourists always have cameras with them when coming to Canada. The paperwork and document stuff could always be mailed to you separately. Letter mail isn't looked at by customs.

[whampoa]

And just in case, have your friend takes couple nude pics, if they ever ask for proof.

[annebos35]

And just in case, have your friend takes couple nude pics, if they ever ask for proof. :cheesygri:cheesygri

[mannyb]

I bought a brand new Rolex Datejust from an AD in Syracuse, NY. I then went to the US Post Office in the same mall and paid USD $10 to mail the box, papers, and receipt to myself in Canada. I labelled the package "empty jewellery box" with a very nominal value of $10. I wore the watch back. No questions asked and I received the package in the mail a few days later.

Have your friend mail you the box and other sundry items to yourself in Canada. It may cost you $20. Then have your friend make it "look like" it's his personal camera when he crosses the boarder. Make sure he knows how to use it in case they ask him for a demonstration.

[Kami19]

couldn't he wrap it and say its a birthday gift for you too? im not sure hhow customs works so.

[mocha'n'me]

An American is permitted to bring over a specific amount as gifts each time they cross the border. I believe the amount is only $300.00.

[Fire Man]

I bought a brand new Rolex Datejust from an AD in Syracuse, NY. I then went to the US Post Office in the same mall and paid USD $10 to mail the box, papers, and receipt to myself in Canada. I labelled the package "empty jewellery box" with a very nominal value of $10. I wore the watch back. No questions asked and I received the package in the mail a few days later.

Have your friend mail you the box and other sundry items to yourself in Canada. It may cost you $20. Then have your friend make it "look like" it's his personal camera when he crosses the boarder. Make sure he knows how to use it in case they ask him for a demonstration.

Very smart idea. I might do the same when I go down for black friday this year with a laptop box and other accessories.

[mannyb]

Very smart idea. I might do the same when I go down for black friday this year with a laptop box and other accessories.Thanks. You'll pay a little bit more given the bigger laptop box & accessories. I would also bring your own personal laptop bag and some pictures on an SD card. Then personalize your laptop with pictures/settings/etc. Just in case the boarder guard asks you to turn it on and it doesn't look like it's your first time turning it on.

[JWL]

I couldn't find anything online, but I seem to recall that when I enter the US by plane it asks if I will be leaving anything there. Rarely get asked that when I drive into the US.

Overall it obviously isn't legal to leave the goods in Canada without paying appropriate taxes and duties but I expect that you already knew that.

[Ebola]

An American is permitted to bring over a specific amount as gifts each time they cross the border. I believe the amount is only $300.00.

$60 visitor exemption.

Applicable to each gift.

Gift A $50 - $60 = no tax
Gift B $100 -$60 = $40 taxable

etc

[Phila213]

The best bet is to get him to remove all packaging so it looks like his personal property. Then mail the instruction manuals etc. through the mail.

[LNahid2000]

Very smart idea. I might do the same when I go down for black friday this year with a laptop box and other accessories.
Not so smart if customs opens the package. I've had packages opened by customs in the past.

[user01]

If all packaging, labels and tags have been left behind so that it looks like the camera is his personal property and if he claims it as such if asked then he won't have any issue with customs coming or going. American tourists always have cameras with them when coming to Canada. The paperwork and document stuff could always be mailed to you separately. Letter mail isn't looked at by customs.

what about tires?

[iamnotamerican.com]

If all packaging, labels and tags have been left behind so that it looks like the camera is his personal property and if he claims it as such if asked then he won't have any issue with customs coming or going. American tourists always have cameras with them when coming to Canada. The paperwork and document stuff could always be mailed to you separately.

And if they get him to turn it on and show them it works? Busted.

Letter mail isn't looked at by customs.
Ya think so, huh? You don't think people don't try sending drugs and other prohibited items through lettermail?

[Fire Man]

Not so smart if customs opens the package. I've had packages opened by customs in the past.

So they open the package, find an empty box with a receipt. What can they do with that?

[Fire Man]

And if they get him to turn it on and show them it works? Busted.


So take 5 minutes to learn how to use the camera, and put an older SD card with pictures on it already. Problem solved.

[hagbard]

Far as I know, no duty on camera gear. Is tax though.