Shopping in Great Falls Montana? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

MacDaddy77 · 10-13-2009, 11:34 AM

As the dollar is near parity with the US I am thinking of taking a trip to Great Falls for some stuff for my basement.

I am thinking of getting Couches and electronics.

What experiances have people had with cross border shopping>

Does anyone know how much duty would have to be paid on furniture? I have checked the border agency site and didn't find anything specific.

I know if it's made in the States or Mexico it's "duty free" but what does that mean? Do you then only have to pay the 5% GST to bring it into Canada?

Thanks in advance for your opinions/suggestions!

bossy22 · 10-13-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

As the dollar is near parity with the US I am thinking of taking a trip to Great Falls for some stuff for my basement.

I am thinking of getting Couches and electronics.

What experiances have people had with cross border shopping>

Does anyone know how much duty would have to be paid on furniture? I have checked the border agency site and didn't find anything specific.

I know if it's made in the States or Mexico it's "duty free" but what does that mean? Do you then only have to pay the 5% GST to bring it into Canada?

Thanks in advance for your opinions/suggestions!

I have a place in the fish. Duty free, you only pay GST above your allowable limit. If you're down for the weekend, 48 hours, you are allowed $400 per person. When we cross, we only state the total for our family. Sometimes we get asked if any item was above $400, sometimes we don't.

MacDaddy77 · 10-13-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossy22

I have a place in the fish. Duty free, you only pay GST above your allowable limit. If you're down for the weekend, 48 hours, you are allowed $400 per person. When we cross, we only state the total for our family. Sometimes we get asked if any item was above $400, sometimes we don't.

Is that per adult?

If I went down with my 3 year old daughter and wife would our limit be $1200.00?

Does this limit only apply to made in North America goods?

MacDaddy77 · 10-13-2009, 12:29 PM

I found this but it leaves it open for interpretertation (sp?)

Who is eligible for these exemptions?

You are eligible for a personal exemption if you are one of the following:

a Canadian resident returning from a trip outside Canada;
a former resident of Canada returning to live in this country; or
a temporary resident of Canada returning from a trip outside Canada.

Even young children and infants are entitled to a personal exemption. As a parent or guardian, you can make a declaration to the CBSA for a child as long as the goods you are declaring are for the child's use.

So reading this, could I potentially say that the 55" tv is for my daughter to watch Cartoons on, and the furniture is so she can sit on it to watch the TV? or would you think that's stretching it?

I don't want to get to the border and owe another $1000.00 after my purchase

bossy22 · 10-13-2009, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Is that per adult?

If I went down with my 3 year old daughter and wife would our limit be $1200.00?

Does this limit only apply to made in North America goods?

The $400 is per person, including your daughter. Your daughter can't claim alcohol or tobacco.

Regarding the $1200 total, from my experience it's been dependant on the border guard. We've been allowed to combine on one item sometimes, but when I claimed my Samsung LCD which was $1450, I had to pay gst on the $1050. Her $400 didn't count towards the tv, but counted towards other items we purchased. If I recall correctly, we claimed over $1800, and in the end paid the GST just for the $1050. No duty.
So, If your claiming one big item, they may only allow you to combine your $400 each, but may not. But if you buy a few items, then your wife and daughter can claim those. Your wife can claim your recliner, and your daughter the 50 inch tv.

There is a customs tariff document I had a link too, but can't seem to locate it. It stated the duty on items. If I find it, I'll post it.

Also, the exemption limit of $400/48 hrs and $750/7days is on all items. Not just North American made items.

Madman · 10-13-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossy22

The $400 is per person, including your daughter. Your daughter can claim alcohol or tobacco.

I seriously doubt that.

bossy22 · 10-13-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madman

I seriously doubt that.

oops, fixed.

Madman · 10-13-2009, 01:38 PM

Haha, I was thinking damn I could have brought back twice as much booze!

anyonebutedmonton · 10-13-2009, 03:00 PM

Have you guys ever been to Great Falls? There really isn't a whole lot going on down there. The only places we found were Target and a couple of US Department stores.... Maybe we weren't looking to hard.

Also if you are only in the country for 4 hours expect a pretty detailed search

Jordan! · 10-13-2009, 03:03 PM

I need to ask why you'd want to do this? Unless you're buying alcohol. Things are the same price as Canada really.

MacDaddy77 · 10-13-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anyonebutedmonton

Have you guys ever been to Great Falls? There really isn't a whole lot going on down there. The only places we found were Target and a couple of US Department stores.... Maybe we weren't looking to hard.

Also if you are only in the country for 4 hours expect a pretty detailed search

Really

I haven't really done much research yet, except for here.

Is it really that bad??? NO Best Buy, or comparable electronics store?

What about furniture stores? I kow they have an Ashley Home Furnishings store, but anything else?

MacDaddy77 · 10-13-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bouw N Arrow

I need to ask why you'd want to do this? Unless you're buying alcohol. Things are the same price as Canada really.

No they aren't!!

I campared TV's today at the Canadian BestBuy and the US Best Buy and the US was $400.00 cheaper.

If I can get the same kind of deal on Furniture I might save up to $1000.00

hockeycop · 10-13-2009, 03:22 PM

If it is made in NA, then you are right, you will only pay GST. Most of the time the Customs Officer wont charge you unless it is a significant amount. They are trying to get away from the whole tax-collector image.

Cross back into Canada through Coutts/Sweetgrass. It is a busier port and the Officers are more experienced and know how to use discretion. Avoid Carway and other tiny crossings.

You will save money on these bigger purchases. Even after you factor in GST, gas, and duty (if buying non-NA stuff).

If you get me some pricing and tell me the origin of some of this stuff, I will walk accross the hall to Customs and try to get you a more detailed estimate. I will also thank you in advance for bringing me some Copenhagen back!

Jordan! · 10-13-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

No they aren't!!

I campared TV's today at the Canadian BestBuy and the US Best Buy and the US was $400.00 cheaper.

If I can get the same kind of deal on Furniture I might save up to $1000.00

Actually you're right. Furnishings, including TVs are incredibly cheap down here.

42" Toshiba LCD TV was only $699. Amazing TV too

MacDaddy77 · 10-13-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeycop

If it is made in NA, then you are right, you will only pay GST. Most of the time the Customs Officer wont charge you unless it is a significant amount. They are trying to get away from the whole tax-collector image.

Cross back into Canada through Coutts/Sweetgrass. It is a busier port and the Officers are more experienced and know how to use discretion. Avoid Carway and other tiny crossings.

You will save money on these bigger purchases. Even after you factor in GST, gas, and duty (if buying non-NA stuff).

If you get me some pricing and tell me the origin of some of this stuff, I will walk accross the hall to Customs and try to get you a more detailed estimate. I will also thank you in advance for bringing me some Copenhagen back!

I'm not sure what the info is on anything yet! I'm still trying to decide if it's worth it.

I am thinking that it would be chaeper to shop in the states and bring it back to canada.

It would be a sectional couch and a big screen tv, I don't really care about the brand as long as it's a good tv.

anyonebutedmonton · 10-13-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Really

I haven't really done much research yet, except for here.

Is it really that bad??? NO Best Buy, or comparable electronics store?

What about furniture stores? I kow they have an Ashley Home Furnishings store, but anything else?

We didn't see anything when we were down there that would be good for electronics but i'm sure there are furniture stores.

There is however a FedEx location that will hold things for you. You can buy stuff online and have it shipped there to Hold on Location. Then drive it back.

bossy22 · 10-13-2009, 03:47 PM

I haven't shopped in Great Falls. I've done all my shopping in Kalispell. We furnished our place in Whitefish by shopping at stores in Kalispell. The couple we share our place with, did buy a bed down there as well for their home in Calgary. It was a latex foam bed (forget the brand) and they saved alot of money on it. I saved $1000 on my tv. It was $2499 at Visions at the time I paid $1450 at Vanns. Kalispell has a best buy, Costco, homedepot, Lowes, and the sportsmans, which is a huge sporting goods store. I get snowboard and ski gear there. I did get a composite easton synergy for $25 last spring. Great store for the end of season shopping. They pretty much clear everything out to bring in the next season's gear. There are other stores that my wife likes, and I avoid, like Target.

Madman · 10-13-2009, 03:51 PM

If you are going to Great Falls - a stop at Scheels is a must.

Go Jets! · 10-13-2009, 03:55 PM

depends how long you go for to make it worth it

Antithesis · 10-13-2009, 04:11 PM

Great Falls was disappointing when my wife and I went for a weekend away a few years back. It turned into a night in Great Falls and then we moved on. Coeur D'Alene/Spokane is a bit father - 90 minutes to 2 hours more each way - but much better in terms of things to do and shopping.