[wildfire]

I've been on these boards before, some of you may remember me. I am here in Canada at university, orginally from the States.

I'm with a wonderful man here, I want to get him something incredible for his birthday and xmas (they are only a month a part) . He is an amazing guy.

What I am getting him is a bit costly..but I have found out that I can get it cheaper from the States. Thing is, I will have to pay that awful duty tax on it. The gift is about $2,000.00 in cost. So the tax would be crazy I am sure.

Is there anyway, I can get around paying this? Thanks!

[QBC]

Well ,what it boils down to, is it really going to be cheeper bringing it across the line? I don't think there is any way to get around the tax man unless you go down to the states, buy it, and try and get it across without declaring it. Mind you if ya get caught, sucks to be you then, duty, taxes, fines. Figure out what the cost is to buy it here vs buying it across the line with all the taxes and duties. Thats about it.

[Comtech]

So you want to live in Canada(the real land of opportunity) take advantage of superior quality of living and social programs, but you don't want to pay for them through taxes? Typical American. Why don't you go back to your own "great" country if you don't wish to contribute to Canada.

[Canadaka]

this rudeness has to stop, she was asking a fair qestion. I know tons of ppl who have done so, iven I, its called open trade, you tihnk someone in germany never buys something in france.

[DMP08]

IF YOU LIVE IN CANADA AND ARE BUYING SOMETHING FROM THE STATES:
I'm not for sure clear on the rules, but you can bring back across the border X amount of stuff duty free. It all depends on how long you stay in the states. If you are there 24 hours or less, pay duty on all. But, and I'm not sure of the numbers, but if your there for 1-2 days, you can bring back more duty free, 2-3 even more, etc. Someone will be able to figure out what I'm talking about and tell you some numbers. So, if it is something you can hide in your vehicle, take your boyfriend/husband whatever on a trip down south. Try that way. Or check with whatever you are bringing could be shipped, could you avoid duty that way?

Besides, what is the duty all about, what is free trade doing for us then?

[wildfire]

Thanks for the replies you all. (Well, except for the rude fella)

I don't get what you mean typical american. I have been taken advantage of being over here in Canada since I arrived...

I have to pay a $2,000.00 international fee on top of university fees, just because I am from the States.....

I've had car trouble here lately, I have been taken to the cleaners..1)because it seems that when any business finds out I am american, they seem to see nothing but dollar signs. That's not the case, I am not wealthy by no means.

Let me tell you about myself, maybe I won't seem so "typical" to you then.

I am 25 yrs old gal. I have served 3 yrs in the U.S. Army. I received extensive knee damage, I was honorably discharged. I have traveled to many different places and experienced many things for someone my age.

My father passed away when I was 13 in a car accident, my mom is a teacher, again like I said we aren't wealthy....I worked 2 jobs and held down full time classes for 3 semesters so I could save up to come up here myself. No one helped me I did it on my own.

I am working and going to school up here too. I don't have alot of money, but I want to get the guy I love something every special. I found a better deal on it in the States. This is a $2,000.00 dollar item as it is. I've worked several extra shifts at my job to afford this. I just don't want to be stopped from getting this for him because of the Duty tax. Not when I have come this far.

[Gonzo]

Like anywhere in the world, you will find assholes.
Good luck though in finding your item, whatever it is. In my experience, cross boarder shopping is worth it if you plan on going to the states anyway. IF you live closs to the boarder it's worth it too but I wouldn't drive all the way down just to buy something. Like someone here said, if you can sneek it in great. I've heard horror stories of Canadian customs stripping apart a car but that was back when GST was fairly new and everyone was driving down to the States to buy there goodies.

[AmericanPatriot]

You leave the Union Of Canadian Socialist Republics


And come home sweetie we have everything for you! I know its boring up there and cold...Except Toronto i love T.DOT

[Rev_Blair]

You don't say what the item is, Wildfire. You are an American citizen though, likely a landed immigrant in Canada. You might look into getting a relative to just ship you the item. I know there are yearly exemptions for gifts and things that you already owned, but I have no idea what they are. One of the guys at work shipped himself a Hassleblad and a couple of lenses (worth considerably more than $2000) a while back. I know he had left them in Austria because he was originally over his limit. After he got them he was kind of regretting not replacing them with something more modern then shipping that.

It's worth looking into. Find out what you are allowed as an American living in Canada. It could be a lot different than what a Canadian living here is allowed.

As for getting taken advantage for auto repairs...don't think that's because you are an American. There are plenty of unscrupulous mechanics around (in the US as well as Canada and the rest of the world) and they'll rip off anybody they can. They don't care where you come from. Shop around, ask some friends, find a reputable mechanic. There are lots of them too. I don't mean to cast aspersions on the entire trade, but they kind of have most people between a rock and a hard place so some take advantage of that.

[Canadaka]

$1:

I have to pay a $2,000.00 international fee on top of university fees, just because I am from the States.....

Have you or your parents being paying Canadian taxes al your life that help fund post secondary eductaion? i doubt it, so thats why.

Your still getting a better deal, our post secondary education is cheaper and better quality.

[wildfire]

No, that's right they didn't. I see what you mean, but $2,000.00 is rather high.

The getting taken to the cleaners comment I made, wasn't entirely fair of me, it wasn't really because I was American. But rather because I took it to a big dealership...and they saw me as a young American girl,who was almost 2500 miles from home, who didn't know many people and someone they realized had no choice..ugh...enough about that rant.


Oh about the rudeness in the thread, thanks to you all who came to my defense. I appreciate your fairness. You are right there are a$$holes everywhere.

[GQGuy]

Hi Wildfire...hope you're enjoying life in Canada. I'm from Canada and enjoying Southern hospitality in Mississippi. It's just too freakin hot here though!

I had an idea you might want to try. To avoid various duties on the item, you might want to look into sending it as a commercial product...specifically as a product used to generate sales or used in trade shows. Claim the item for this purpose and specifically state it is an item not for resale.

Don't get the wrong impression...there are lot's of idiots in Canada and the US...and the rest of the world for that matter. Don't let a few unpleasant people ruin your impression..I'm not! Best of luck!!! ~GQ

[BigDubUSA]

DO IT LEGALLY! PAY THE TAXMAN!

[xerxes]

Your have have about two choices wildfire:

You can do the math and figure out if going to the US and buying your mystery item there is cheaper with the duty.

Or you can have a friend buy it for you and then have them ship it to you.

I wouldn't recommend trying to smuggle it across the border. Even though our border guards are pretty laid back, they're no slouches.

These are probably the best options, though there are other vaild ones in this forum already.

And don't worry, I get shafted on my car repairs too. That experience is universal.

[Rev_Blair]

I can fix a lot of things myself and my bro-in-law is a mechanic, so when I can't I only have to pay a parts-plus-beer fee.