Canadians buying from the US at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · November 11th, 2003, 10:15 PM

Just a question for Canucks about buying from the US, in person, not online.
I'm thinking of driving down to Washington to pick up a new TV (so much cheaper, with our revived dollar). If I go down to Circuit City, will I have to pay tax there, then again at our border? I've purchased lots of car parts across the border before and not been charged tax because I was bringing them back to Canada. Just wondering if anyone knows what the exact rules are.
Also, what are the rules on Duty as well?

Thanks

Frank Granovski · November 12th, 2003, 12:20 AM

I don't know but I would call the 800 number in Ottawa. They are very helpful with these sorts of questions. Yes, I've called them before.

Andrew Petrie · November 12th, 2003, 10:57 AM

Well, I know that when things are shipped here I pay taxes on them. But, if the items are then shipped out of the country, I can get my tax refunded. Revenue Canada told me this.

This may be the case with the US as well, if you bought there, paid tax, then came across and paid Canadian tax, maybe there's a form you fill out to reclaim the US tax. I'm not sure. It's a good question, I'd like a definitive answer myself

Alex Taylor · November 12th, 2003, 11:54 AM

You could also claim it as a gift and not pay duty ;)

Jean-Philippe Archibald · November 12th, 2003, 12:47 PM

Alex is right, gifts are duty free, but only until 60$. So if your mother who lives in the US are sending a gift to you with a declared value of 2000$, you will pay canadian taxes on 1940$

Dylan Couper · November 13th, 2003, 01:49 AM

Hmm... But then why, if I go down to an autoparts store in the US, do I say, I'm from Canada, and they say "OK no tax for you."
What I want to have happen, is that, but at an electronics store.

Bob Zimmerman · November 13th, 2003, 04:58 AM

Taxes suck!!

Frank Granovski · November 13th, 2003, 05:47 AM

Yes, they do, but I doubt you pay as much as Dylan and I, 14.5% on every Canadian Buck; and to make matters worse, it costs about $1.30 to buy one fancy dancy US Greenback. :(

Dylan Couper · November 13th, 2003, 02:39 PM

Hey, I've got no complaints about paying $1.30 to buy a US buck. This time last year it was something like $1.57!!!

Oh, does anyone know what the sales taxes in Washington state are?

Dan Holly · November 17th, 2003, 07:52 PM

Dylan,
I used to live down there before I moved to the great white north.......

Non-Washington residents do not have to pay the local taxes on goods bought from any type of store. The only mandatory taxes are in the hotel industry/fuel/airlines/etc.

Just flash your Canadian ID and you are home free in your case.

Lots of people who lived in WA used to go down to Oregon to buy big ticket items to avoid the WA state tax. They put a ka-bosh on people buying luxury items like high end cars/motorhomes/boats/etc. and bringing them back to WA and registering them though by some sort of legislation.

Dylan Couper · November 17th, 2003, 11:53 PM

Dan, you RULE!
Thanks!

November 11th, 2003, 10:15 PM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Canadians buying from the US Just a question for Canucks about buying from the US, in person, not online. I'm thinking of driving down to Washington to pick up a new TV (so much cheaper, with our revived dollar). If I go down to Circuit City, will I have to pay tax there, then again at our border? I've purchased lots of car parts across the border before and not been charged tax because I was bringing them back to Canada. Just wondering if anyone knows what the exact rules are. Also, what are the rules on Duty as well? Thanks __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

November 12th, 2003, 10:57 AM	#3
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	Well, I know that when things are shipped here I pay taxes on them. But, if the items are then shipped out of the country, I can get my tax refunded. Revenue Canada told me this. This may be the case with the US as well, if you bought there, paid tax, then came across and paid Canadian tax, maybe there's a form you fill out to reclaim the US tax. I'm not sure. It's a good question, I'd like a definitive answer myself __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)

November 12th, 2003, 11:54 AM	#4
Alex Taylor Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 390	You could also claim it as a gift and not pay duty ;) __________________ alextaylor.org

November 12th, 2003, 12:47 PM	#5
Jean-Philippe Archibald Trustee Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Saguenay, Québec, Canada Posts: 1,051	Alex is right, gifts are duty free, but only until 60$. So if your mother who lives in the US are sending a gift to you with a declared value of 2000$, you will pay canadian taxes on 1940$ __________________ Jean-Philippe Archibald http://www.jparchibald.com - http://www.vimeo.com/jparchib

November 13th, 2003, 01:49 AM	#6
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Hmm... But then why, if I go down to an autoparts store in the US, do I say, I'm from Canada, and they say "OK no tax for you." What I want to have happen, is that, but at an electronics store. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

November 12th, 2003, 12:20 AM	#2
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	I don't know but I would call the 800 number in Ottawa. They are very helpful with these sorts of questions. Yes, I've called them before.

November 13th, 2003, 04:58 AM	#7
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	Taxes suck!!

November 13th, 2003, 05:47 AM	#8
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Yes, they do, but I doubt you pay as much as Dylan and I, 14.5% on every Canadian Buck; and to make matters worse, it costs about $1.30 to buy one fancy dancy US Greenback. :(

November 13th, 2003, 02:39 PM	#9
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Hey, I've got no complaints about paying $1.30 to buy a US buck. This time last year it was something like $1.57!!! Oh, does anyone know what the sales taxes in Washington state are? __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

November 17th, 2003, 07:52 PM	#10
Dan Holly Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 336	WA Taxes Dylan, I used to live down there before I moved to the great white north....... Non-Washington residents do not have to pay the local taxes on goods bought from any type of store. The only mandatory taxes are in the hotel industry/fuel/airlines/etc. Just flash your Canadian ID and you are home free in your case. Lots of people who lived in WA used to go down to Oregon to buy big ticket items to avoid the WA state tax. They put a ka-bosh on people buying luxury items like high end cars/motorhomes/boats/etc. and bringing them back to WA and registering them though by some sort of legislation. __________________ Dan Holly Anchorage, Alaska

November 17th, 2003, 11:53 PM	#11
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Dan, you RULE! Thanks! __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com