Duty Charges on Imported Goods

[OzSome]

If the company tacked in GST on your bill, you shouldn't have pay custom fees.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by zamler

Has this happened to you? Enlighten me as to how I can be stopped at a U.S. border crossing because someone sent me a package labeled as a gift? Heck, I've purchased a few things on Ebay and the shipper sent it as a gift, I never requested they do this either, it was their choice. How is that my fault?

Strange post. BTW, I have no trouble crossing into the U.S. at all, at least not more than anyone else, the usual questions.

If you get caught fraudulently importing goods into Canada from the States, do you not think it would make your life more difficult at the border? If you never requested them to send the purchase as a gift you aren't liable. If you do, it is mail fraud and both are at fault. If you don't get caught, obviously it doesn't hurt you when crossing. If you do get caught, it will likely make your wait time longer, your searches deeper and, depending on the attitude of the guard, make entering into the States impossible.

I don't see the post as strange, but more straight forward. He just said if you get caught, it will suck.

[DownInFlames]

I just got an invoice from UPS for a brokerage fee... on an item they didn't even deliver! I ordered a headphone amp from Headroom, and they originally had it set up to be shipped via UPS, but I phoned them and asked if they could use USPS, and they obliged.

What an f'n scam.

[geos]

Originally Posted by zamler

Has this happened to you? Enlighten me as to how I can be stopped at a U.S. border crossing because someone sent me a package labeled as a gift? Heck, I've purchased a few things on Ebay and the shipper sent it as a gift, I never requested they do this either, it was their choice. How is that my fault?

Strange post. BTW, I have no trouble crossing into the U.S. at all, at least not more than anyone else, the usual questions.

I'm saying if they decide to inspect the package and audit the shipment. If they find out it's not a gift, well that's fraud. They do that from time to time you know. They'll seize your goods and you'll be blacklisted for life.

You won't get in trouble if you don't get caught, but if you do, you'll be screwed crossing the border forever. It's no different than lying on a customs declaration at the border. You need to declare full value for any shipment crossing that line whether it's in the post or in your car.

[Flamenspiel]

This is a Canadian customs issue and not a US one. The OP is talking about bringing in a gift to Canada. If anything Canadian customs would take issue with it and add the taxes.

In practice, typically the GST and a small charge is added, I prefer fedex, more expensive upfront but no surprises. Lately Purolater has an arrangement with some US retailers to give an all inclusive price, that seems to work as well.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by OzSome

If the company tacked in GST on your bill, you shouldn't have pay custom fees.

how do you figure? you are wrong by the way.

[geos]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

This is a Canadian customs issue and not a US one. The OP is talking about bringing in a gift to Canada. If anything Canadian customs would take issue with it and add the taxes.

No, he's talking about purchasing goods in the United States and having the shipper declare them as a gift, which is a criminal offense in both countries. It isn't a gift. It's a purchase.

Even if he lies to customs and has it imported as a gift, he still will likely pay duty:

For an item to qualify as a "gift", a friend or relative must send it to you personally and include a card or other notice indicating that it is a gift.

• If you receive an imported gift by mail that is worth CAN$60 or less, you will not have to pay duty or tax on it.
• If the gift is worth more than CAN$60, you will have to pay any applicable duty and taxes on any amount over CAN$60.
  • For example, if a relative sends you a gift worth CAN$200, you must pay any applicable duty, GST or HST and PST on CAN$140

Source: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/po...deaux-eng.html

Not worth it. Do whatever you want obviously, but just understand you're doing something illegal and there could be consequences of that. Whether or not anything happens, who knows.

[Rathji]

Just to clarify, I have purchased items online before and they were shipped to me as a gift (and at a drastically reduced declared value) without my knowledge. In that situation, would I potentially be facing consequences, or do I need to be aware?

[geos]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Just to clarify, I have purchased items online before and they were shipped to me as a gift (and at a drastically reduced declared value) without my knowledge. In that situation, would I potentially be facing consequences, or do I need to be aware?

I don't think there is an ongoing witch hunt on this matter, but if you didn't request it, it's kind of a grey area. Technically you still "need" to go fix the taxes owing, but no one is going to hunt you down (considering the stuff has already cleared, how would they ever know). I wouldn't sweat it.

I just don't recommend requesting such mis-statements, either a gift or a reduced value. It is NO different lying when shipping the goods versus making a false declaration at a border crossing. Sure, you might save $10 but it's sooooo not worth it.

In the OP's case, he's saving the duty value between $20 duty exempt limit and $60 gift exempt limit. So $40 x duty rate = savings. Is that worth the risk? I'd never do it.