Not sure if this would make a difference in Canada, however, I have been buying online from HD, WalMart but having delivery at local stores. No shipping charges that way. I started doing this as a price check and was surprised to discover their prices are sometimes lower, and delivery, returns are easy, just a mile away. Canadians near the border could drive across for some of these items. I'm curious to know if it would help. Living in Taxafornia, I've become sympathetic to those living in other socialist areas.
Here in our HD you can order stuff that's not stocked at the store and they deliver it no charge to your home max 2 days. I don't know if that's the case all over but HD tells me it's their policy.
Yes, the conversion is steep right now. by rights you must stay in the U.S. for a complete 24 hours to bring back up to $200 of goods duty free. 48 hours to bring up to $800 duty free. Coming back, you just pay the U.S. bridge toll but you stop at Canadian Customs for the questions. Usually you have no trouble unless you're lucky enough to get some over zealous soul that believes themselves a real crime stopper. We've all met them at both ends of the bridge. I know a couple of guys that live at the Falls and they go back and forth with ease quite often. Some groceries, gas, or whatever peaks their interest. The rules for this stuff are soft and as long as it's within reason there are no questions asked. Big purchases, alcohol and tobacco are a no-no. Guns are strictly prohibited. Hunters are a different thing as long as they're declared. I can get to the Falls in 45 minutes but I've never been that eager. But last May I brought over $600. of tools after 48 hours and only got a "have a nice day" from both sides.
Yes, the conversion is steep right now. by rights you must stay in the U.S. for a complete 24 hours to bring back up to $200 of goods duty free. 48 hours to bring up to $800 duty free. Coming back, you just pay the U.S. bridge toll but you stop at Canadian Customs for the questions. Usually you have no trouble unless you're lucky enough to get some over zealous soul that believes themselves a real crime stopper. We've all met them at both ends of the bridge. I know a couple of guys that live at the Falls and they go back and forth with ease quite often. Some groceries, gas, or whatever peaks their interest. The rules for this stuff are soft and as long as it's within reason there are no questions asked. Big purchases, alcohol and tobacco are a no-no. Guns are strictly prohibited. Hunters are a different thing as long as they're declared. I can get to the Falls in 45 minutes but I've never been that eager. But last May I brought over $600. of tools after 48 hours and only got a "have a nice day" from both sides.
SWMBO and I frequently shop in the Detroit area and very seldom do we get sent in for the requisite taxes. And, in most cases, that is what it is now... just the sales tax. Very few items are subject to duty charges any more. I even purchase beer on a regular basis and usually get waved thru with the "have a nice day" that you experienced. And, yes, I've got the over zealous officials, on both sides of the border, as well... I have to remember that they are just "doing their jobs"... most treat people with a little common courtesy, and some even have a great sense of humor.
Not sure if this would make a difference in Canada, however, I have been buying online from HD, WalMart but having delivery at local stores. No shipping charges that way. I started doing this as a price check and was surprised to discover their prices are sometimes lower, and delivery, returns are easy, just a mile away. Canadians near the border could drive across for some of these items. I'm curious to know if it would help. Living in Taxafornia, I've become sympathetic to those living in other socialist areas.
I have purchased items online and had them shipped to a Walmart store in the Detroit area with great results, I've never attempted to have it shipped to Canada. I would think that extra shipping would apply, but it might be worth checking out.
Sounds like delivery on the US side and waiting 48 hours to cross would be a good choice for $799 worth of goodies. I suspect the packaging would give you away for something that cost more. Those border guys are quite sharp.
Woodworking tools and equipment are Duty Free.
It's paying the taxes on our side, and brokerage fees if you use a courier, that take the buzz right out of the fun.
Woodworking tools and equipment are Duty Free.
It's paying the taxes on our side, and brokerage fees if you use a courier, that take the buzz right out of the fun.
I've gotten quite a bit of stuff shipped across but I always made sure it was coming via post offices. Gifts are normally free, not sure about samples and parts. It may depend on what they are. Out of dozens of packages I've gotten, which were mostly router bits and other woodworking hand tools, I've paid our value added tax 2 or 3 times and I don't think that was ever over $10. I've paid an inspection fee once or twice of $5. Most of the time they can't be bothered for the few dollars of revenue it will provide so they just let it go through. If I want to buy something down there and they say they'll ship courier I tell them to forget it. Like Dan said, you pay the taxes and a brokerage fee that is usually $40-50.
If we go across the border and stay at least 48 hrs we can come back with quite a bit of stuff without paying. I think we are currently allowed a $900 exemption once per year or the quarterly equivalent of that. Brian is probably more familiar with the details of that than I am. Back when the dollars were about at par with each other it was common for people in Vancouver to go across to Blaine, Washington for gas, milk, cheese and a few other things. Some used to go down and get new tires but I heard of a few people that got nailed on that one. With our dollar way down the cross border shopping doesn't happen so much anymore.
Theoretically, you can drive down, pick up your $5,000 tablesaw, come back, declare it and bring it over duty free same day. I'm guessing there might be Tax repercussions based on the Declaration.
Once NAFTA went into force duty was only supposed to be charged on items that weren't available from a Canadian manufacturer. You would still owe GST on it and maybe provincial sales taxes. I haven't driven over the border in 27 years so I'm not that sure whether I paid those or not.
Thanks for that Dan. That can be handy to reference to. We know we can't get out of the federal Get Screwed Tax or the provincial ones but any idea what that Other column represents?
Thanks for that Dan. That can be handy to reference to. We know we can't get out of the federal Get Screwed Tax or the provincial ones but any idea what that Other column represents?
It means produced or manufactured in places other than the U.S. ( country of origin) That seems to cut it down a lot depending on if you can find something actually made in the U.S. The quality of goods seems to have improved a lot over the past decade or so. Made in the U.S.A. did mean a lot but then for a while I think they were resting on their laurels. (car industry for one) But now the anger, or fear, of Chinese encroachment in all areas has put the heart and pride back into quality. I would buy "made in U.S.A." in a heartbeat now. I see signs of dedication glowing in some areas. From my perspective the skills and ability and the creative juices were always there, much the same as in our country, but when you get corporations beating things down to the lowest common denominator you feel somewhat helpless. Twas ever thus.
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