Importing stuff from the US

[HockeyPuck]

I've already imported 1 vehicle from the US, and now I plan to go down and get another. However, when I go down within the next couple of weeks, I also plan to pickup an LCD TV while I'm down there - Probably Costco. I'm not looking to spend a whole bunch on a tv - I have my eyes on a Vizio 37" and I think Costco sells them for $600 (?). I only plan on being in the US for 3 days, so would I have to pay import tax on the tv? I know I'll have to pay GST on the vehicle, but for the tv, would i pay GST and duty? How about my personal limit - is there some penalty you have to pay? Thanks CPer's!

[ericschand]

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...-eng.html#P020

It is $50 for 24 hours, $400 for 48 hours and $750 for 7 days.
In Canadian dollars, of course.

Have a good trip,
ers

[Log]

If you bring the wife or a buddy your exemption limits are doubled (they wouldn't be able to bring anything back though).

[toonmaster]

Originally Posted by ericschand

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...-eng.html#P020

It is $50 for 24 hours, $400 for 48 hours and $750 for 7 days.
In Canadian dollars, of course.

Have a good trip,
ers

Qustion about this. I was in Vegas last month. Left on Thursday evening, home on Sunday night, and according to the claim form we had to fill out, the limit was $200 after 48 hours, and then $750 after 7 days.

Are the claim amounts different for flying and driving across the border?

[urban1]

You can not combine expemptions.

So if you go with your wife for 48 hours, you each have a $400 expemption. You each could bring back a $400 TV. But you cannot buy a $800 TV and use a combined exemption.

And yes, the 48 hour limit is $400. It used to be $200 and I still see some old travel brochures that have the incorrect info.

Heres a guide from the Canada Boder Services Agency.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/...sf5056-07e.pdf

Originally Posted by Log

If you bring the wife or a buddy your exemption limits are doubled (they wouldn't be able to bring anything back though).

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by urban1

And yes, the 48 hour limit is $400. It used to be $200 and I still see some old travel brochures that have the incorrect info.

Heres a guide from the Canada Boder Services Agency.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/...sf5056-07e.pdf

Thanks for the link. We were recently in the US and the form said $200 for 48 hours (we were there for 10 days so it didn't apply), so it must have been an old one...

We're heading back for 3 days in November so it means a little more room to work with

[burn_baby_burn]

You will have to pay GST. Plus duty if the TV is manufactured outside of North America.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by urban1

You can not combine expemptions.

So if you go with your wife for 48 hours, you each have a $400 expemption. You each could bring back a $400 TV. But you cannot buy a $800 TV and use a combined exemption.

That may be the rules, but many times when traveling with a girlfriend they let us combine our limits. I guess it all depends on who you get for a customs officer- obviously not something I would bank on working.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by ken0042

That may be the rules, but many times when traveling with a girlfriend they let us combine our limits. I guess it all depends on who you get for a customs officer- obviously not something I would bank on working.

I wonder how they would clasify a tv? If it is a household item being used equally by both people. Why coudn't both people in the car use their $200 limit? But I'm sure Revenue Canada has a different thought process allthogether.

[FlameCity]

There was an interesting story in the paper the other day about the "Duty-Free Bonanza"

Here's the Link

Golf bags, microwave ovens, plastic toys, cellphones, video games.

Guess what? You don't have to pay duty on any of these items when you return from a shopping trip to the United States, or anywhere abroad for that matter.


Even if you go for only a few hours, or you blow your personal exemption of $50 for a 24-hour trip or $400 for 48-hours or more, you're only required to pay Canadian taxes on many common items.

[FlameCity]

Shot list of things that are duty free . . .

A list of just a few of the items that can be brought across the Canada-U.S. border without paying duty. (Canadian taxes always apply):


- Almost anything made in the United States or Mexico
- Toys, including puzzles, trains, dolls, action figures
- Video games
- Cellphones
- Antiques
- Most kinds of original art
- Downhill skis and boots
- Toasters
- Breadmakers
- Electric irons
- Artificial Christmas trees
- Billiard tables
- Chess sets
- Office furniture
- SLR and instant cameras
- Unset diamonds, pearls and precious stones
- Golf bags made mostly of synthetics.
- Books
- Glassware (including crystal)
(Source: Canadian Border Services Agency)

[socalwingfan]

Originally Posted by HockeyPuck

I've already imported 1 vehicle from the US, and now I plan to go down and get another. However, when I go down within the next couple of weeks, I also plan to pickup an LCD TV while I'm down there - Probably Costco. I'm not looking to spend a whole bunch on a tv - I have my eyes on a Vizio 37" and I think Costco sells them for $600 (?). I only plan on being in the US for 3 days, so would I have to pay import tax on the tv? I know I'll have to pay GST on the vehicle, but for the tv, would i pay GST and duty? How about my personal limit - is there some penalty you have to pay? Thanks CPer's!

I wouldn't buy a Vizio - I bought 2 of them from Costco and returned them both the same nights. Ended up with a Sony Bravia for a couple of hundred more. A guy I work with also returned 1 shortly after buying it.