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Loading ...Duty & Tax
It’s a common misconception that duties are exempted for goods coming from US or Mexico because of NAFTA. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) states that most American and Mexican manufactured items are exempted from duty. But what you buy from a US store does not mean the item was made in the United States. If the item was imported into the US, you may be charged duty when it comes into Canada. For duties, please read our article.
Unlike duties, GST and PST are not exempted. But there are exceptions, please read our article on this subject.
Most Canadians take advantage of the duty free exemptions after they stay out of country for a period of time. When you return to Canada, you should note that customs officials are entitled to inspect your luggage; therefore, receipts from your purchases should be readily available for the officials. If a false declaration is made, goods can be seized and a financial penalty can be imposed. Be careful.
86 responses so far. Leave a comment
I am wondering if you could tell me what the duty would be on a saddle from Texas coming to Canada. The saddle is worth about 500.00 Canadain. I would like to order one but am worried what the duty wil cost.. Thankyou for your help
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BoB
Reply:
September 1st, 2009 at 3:32 pm
If the Saddle is made in Texas (or US or Mexico), it’s free of duty. If it’s made outside US/Mexico, the duty is 5~7%, see http://betterdollar.com/duty-rate-for-saddlery-and-harness-for-any-animal-including-traces-leads-knee-pads-muzzles-saddle-cloths-saddle-bags-dog-coats-and-the-like-of-any-material/
You’ll have to pay GST/PST on top.
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What would be the duty on a $1500 Sewing Machine – purchased in US but manufactured in Taiwan- coming into Canada. The sewing machine is for household use only.
[Reply]
BoB
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September 20th, 2009 at 10:39 am
If the sewing machine has a furniture base, the duty is 9%. Otherwise, it’s free of duty. See http://betterdollar.com/duty-rate-for-sewing-machines-other-than-book-sewing-machines-of-heading-84-40-furniture-bases-and-covers-specially-designed-for-sewing-machines-sewing-machine-needles/
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If I was going to the US for the day, what I am able to bring back? How much is duty or taxes on food?
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BoB
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September 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
There’s no exemption if you make a day trip. Duty on food varies widely. So are taxes. You know if you buy a bagel with cheese etc put on (considered as a food service), you pay GST&PST. But if you buy more than 6 bagels with no add-on, you don’t pay GST/PST.
Pls see: http://betterdollar.com/duty-tax/goods-to-declare/ for more details.
That being said, I once crossed at Niagara Falls to see the falls from the other side, and came back with some shopping (probably under $20). The lady officer just kindly let me through.
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I wanted to purchase a Grohe kitchen faucet online and have it shipped here to Canada. Value is $450.00. It will be comming from the U.S. but i believe it was made in Germany. Will i have to pay Duty.
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Customs Info
Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 11:00 am
should be no duty on faucets
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Hi, I’m interested in purchasing a suncast garden shed from the US for about $975. I was wondering what kind of duties, taxes and fees I would have to pay if my relative ships it to me.
thanks.
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
October 7th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
There’s no mentioning of garden shed in the CBSA duty tariff. So you’ll have to call them to ask about it.
On top of duty, you’ll have to pay GST+PST and brokerage fee. See example here: http://betterdollar.com/mailorder/brokerage-fee/
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 11:05 am
if its made in the US or other free trade country no duty. Most favoured nation duty rate is 6.5% – or 3% General preferential Tariff
(need exporter statement of orgin) plus any sales tax depending on province of residence.
classify under HS code 3926.90.90.99
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I would like to know the duties applied for bringing in polypropylene disposable coveralls into Canada from China?
Tks
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What would be the Duty on 10 KW standby generator. It would not be portable and would be permanently installed.
Thanks
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I will be in the US for the winter so I am able to bring back $750 Can. duty free. If I am over that amount will I pay duty on the difference or on the full amount.
Thanks
[Reply]
BoB
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October 15th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
You’ll pay duty on the difference. And if you have brought items over the exemption limit no more than $300, you’ll be able to pay a favorable duty rate of 7% for all goods from MFN nations. See http://betterdollar.com/duty-tax/tax-exemptions/
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Any idea of the duty rate on an Italian made espresso machine bought in the USA and coming into British Columbia? $1000 cost plus duty plus GST = ?
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BoB
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October 16th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Coffee maker duty is 9%. see http://betterdollar.com/?s=%22coffee+maker%22
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I want to purchase a TV from the US and bring it to Canada. It will cost $1,568.15 US and I want to know if I will have to pay duty (at what rate) and if I have to pay GST, PST. I live in Winnipeg. Thank you.
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BoB
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October 27th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Please see our blog: http://betterdollar.com/what%E2%80%99s-the-duty-tax-on-plasmalcd-tv/
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I would like to know if there is duty on tub/shower doors manufactured in the US. I will be in the U.S. for one day. They cost $400. I live in Alberta.
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BoB
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October 30th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Thanks to NAFTA, it’s free of duty. But you’ll have to pay GST/PST.
Have a pleasant trip.
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I live in Alberta, Canada and want to import from China. I want to import, via mail order, $1,600 worth of promotional hand flags (4″ x 6″ with a stick on the end) made of Polyester or paper. Is there going to be duty?
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
If its made in a country we have no free trade agreement with then duty is 18% for textile materials. should be no duty on paper flags.
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I am Cdn citizen looking into purchasing a Panasonic & a Sharp tv, both assembled in Mexico. If I purchase and pay $USD cash & NY state tax when I get to the border i assume I will pay GST. What about PST do I pay that as well? and the major question is “Duty” I don’t think I have to pay it but have read conflicting coments on that. Thx
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BoB
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November 5th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Thanks to NAFTA, there should be no duty. But both GST and PST apply.
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Hi Randy,
I just returned from the US into Canada where I paid duty of 5% on Sharp LCD TV that I had purchased in U.S. I knew I had to pay PST and GST but why the duty because of NAFTA?
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BoB
Reply:
November 8th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
If the LCD TV is not made in US/Mexico, a duty will be applied. If you can prove the TV was made in Mexico, you can claim the the duty back.
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Hi Bob,
Oops my other email addressed it to Randy. I just returned from the U.S. into Canada where I paid duty of 5 % on Sharp LCD ty that i had purchased in U.S. I knew that I had to pay PST and GST on the tv but thought that there would be no duty because of NAFTA?
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Hello Bob,
I was checking on my latest Canada customs coding form & we have a product which is “storage totes made of wheat” my broker classificate it with the following number 6307.90.99.90 with us to pay 18% for duty. I just want to know if the classification number is correct for this Item.
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
November 11th, 2009 at 9:56 am
The code 6307.90.99.90 is for “Other made up articles” under “Of other textile materials”, which is really broad.
http://betterdollar.com/?s=6307.90.99.90
If you disagree with the classification, you can write up the description of your product and send a sample to CBSA. If the new classification saves you a few percentage off the duty, it’s worthwhile.
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Customs Info
Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
This is the correct HS code
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Bob,
I’m looking into purchasing a UPro GPS unit (golf gps rangefinder) for my husband. It is retailing for $399 USD versus $499 CAN. Wishaby.ca seems to indicate that I would not be paying any duty. Is that correct?
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
November 13th, 2009 at 11:08 am
There’s no reference to GPS in the official document. But other navigation gears are free from duty, and also most electronics are duty free.
So chances are very high that you will just pay taxes.
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What would duty be on a Price Pfister faucet made in China be if purchased in United States and being brought into Canada
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Faucets are duty free. See http://betterdollar.com/?s=faucet
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I am getting some samples from Singapore and HS Code is 8517.70.00.13. Can you kindly give me a guess that how much would be the duty. I am in Oakville, Ontario.
Thanks in advance.
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
November 16th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
You can use the search function on this site. http://betterdollar.com/?s=8517.70.00.13
The item is highlighted if found. In your case, it free from duty.
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I’m going down to the US and would like to buy some fabric for making clothes. I will only be down for the day. Is there duty on fabric? If so, how much?
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BoB
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November 28th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Duty on fabric varies substantially. Please have a look at http://betterdollar.com/?s=fabric
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I looked up the tariffs on a winter coat coming from the US and there were no tariffs. Is this true?
Thanks!
[Reply]
renata
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December 17th, 2009 at 2:26 am
oh, one more point. The ski jacket is fully polyester.
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I am looking at purchasing a treadmill that is manufactured in Taiwan. Can you tell me what the duty rate is? I realize that I will be required to pay GST & PST but I am unsure what the duty rate is on this item.
Thanks
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
6.5% duty plus sales tax
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I would like to order some perfume from US .i need to know how much and which taxes I need to pay.
Thanks
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Customs Info
Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
no duty from US just sales tax. GST/HST, PST depending on province of residency
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I live in US and want to send a new laptop to a friend in British Columbia. Will I have to pay duties or taxes and, if so, approximately how much?
[Reply]
CdnBroker
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June 1st, 2010 at 11:48 am
You won’t have to, but the person in BC may have to pay PST/GST. (depending on how its being shipped up).
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I would like to order Denon AVR-4310CI receiver online for my home theatre, the receiver is a Japanese product but I don’t know if it’s made in Mexico or in US. Do you know if I have to pay any duty fee to have shipped to Canada
Thanks
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CdnBroker
Reply:
June 1st, 2010 at 11:48 am
It’s made in Japan, and is free from Duty.
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A client in British Columbia is interested in the purchase and shipping of 58,000 lbs of new recycled material sidewalk pavers from USA. The paving blocks are a composite made from 95% recycled rubber tires and beverage containers. Could you help advise on anticipated duty and taxes as I am unable to pin down an applicable duty rate classification. Thanks.
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Customs Info
Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
request an advanced ruling from the CBSA heres the link
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/ar-da/menu-eng.html
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I want to pick up a leather sofa from the US and bring it across the border, ~$1750. What would be the duty rate?
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
no duty if its made in a country we have a free trade agreement with. Worst case is 8% duty. If its made in China and you have certificate of origin or a statement from the exporter then its 5% duty under GPT.
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Hi, I was wondering if someone could answer something for me. I recently bought some speakers online from ebay. The value of the speakers was only $40 USD, but I got charged total $36.36 import charges by UPS. Also I noticed they described the item incorrectly. They put “boombox” as the description when they are clearly just a set of small speakers. Does this make a difference? I can’t find boombox anywhere in the database lol. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks
[Reply]
CdnBroker
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June 1st, 2010 at 11:45 am
What was the breakdown of charges that UPS had given?
Your fee was probably
$19.45 – UPS Brokerage (plus GST = 20.42)
15.94 made up the remainder, split between PST/GST and Duty. Let me know what their breakdown was..
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I am travelling to Ikea and we want to purchase our kitchen from there and bring it back into Canada. The kitchen is valued at $3500. How much duty would I have to pay, and is GST/PST applicable as well on top of it all?
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Customs Info
Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Every component is classifed differently so you would have to breakdown according to the invoice. but kitchen cabinets of wood have no duty. and yes gst/hst and pst is applicable on top over your personal exemption if you have any.
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Bob, you are very considerate to be taking the time to share your insight & wisdom with others on this ‘potentially costly’ subject for Canadian travellers. Please, if I may, I recently purchased $2500 GBP worth of designer clothing as a gift for my wife while in the UK; out of Canada less than 7 days. Other then ‘desperately’ leaving the items to charity in London to avoid disection by CBSA as to fabric content of the clothing, any ‘rough estimate’ of % Duty + GST I will pay returning to Alberta? Cheers (You should start your own website)
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
April 12th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Gary,
Thanks for the kind words.
Clothing in general has a duty of 17~18%. The GST is on top of that. If you need to find out more specifics, see http://betterdollar.com/designer-clothing-garments-apparels/
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I have purchased an Allen Electronic organ made in MacCungie Pa USA in 1995 . Apart from PST and GST what duty will there be on this instrument? Purchase price 10 grand.
Thanks
Rob McGinn
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
If its made in the US then no duty.
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This is a great site! I am working on a show for a local – not for profit community theatre and wondering how much duty we would need to pay if we send someone down to pick up hat, gloves (evening gown length), shoes (woman dance shoes), underclothes for upcoming production and they can’t stay 24 hours (roughly $300-$400 for items in total) Thank you so much!
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Customs Info
Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
depends on the material and where the stuff is made. clothes tend to have high duty rates if made in a country without a free trade agreement with us
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Hi, I’m thinking of buying a viol (bowed string instrument) that was made in China. How much would the duty be on it?
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Jane
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May 16th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
By the way your site is a blessing! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer everyone and feel so lucky to have stumbled upon this!
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
May 16th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Thanks for your kind words.
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
May 16th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
The closest I can find is that string instrument played with a bow is from duty. See, http://betterdollar.com/duty-rate-for-other-string-musical-instruments-for-example-guitars-violins-harps/
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I want to purchase a stroller from the US which costs $300 dollars & wanted to know how much duty I would have to pay.
Thank you,
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
8% duty if not made in a country we have a free trade agreement with. 5% if made in a country we give GPT (general preferential treatment) provided you have a certificate of origin or statement from the exporter. i.e. China
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I am looking to purchase aluminum rims with tires, cost approx. $1400 US. What duty would I pay if the rims and tires are/ are not produced in NA?
Thank you,
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
6% on the rims, 7% on the tires.
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I am a canadian citizesh. I would like to know what is the limit size and value of a rug bringing to canada from middle east.
If the limit is exeed how much charge will be applied? Is there any chart for this info?
Thank you,
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
if you’re gone at least 7 days you get the $750 cad exemption and pay duty on the remaining value. duty depends on material and if its hand knotted or machine knotted.
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Hi, this is the second message that I am sending. I am a canadian citizesh. I would like to know what is the limit size and value of a rug bringing to canada from middle east.
If the limit is exceed how much charge will be applied? Is there any chart for this info?
Thank you,
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sorry, I am sending another message…I need help finding forms for getting my taxes back that I paid on purchases in Minneapolis. ( I am from Canada)
HELP!!
Melodie
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
you need to contact the US State responsible…not sure if you can get them back. depends on state i think.
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I would like to purchase a full size comic book figurine statue from an individual in USA. (made in Europe?) Approx price: 2000$ US (used, a private sale). How much should I expect to pay when I take it back home to Ontario? Thanks!
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
depends on where its made. duty is 6.5% worst case plus sales tax depending on province
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If I go to Washington State I can purchase Metal Roll On Roofing material in a 5Gal. pail ( Oil base product) about half the price of B.C. Can you tell me what the import duty would be. Thanks for your help “jimmymac”
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
need more details. what is this product? trade name? chemical name? where is it made? if its made in US then no duty.
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Hi, I am in canada. I would like to order 25kg of bulk spices from the US at a $400 dollar value, but they were originally imported from Africa…what kind of duty would I expect…thanks so much…you are so helpful to everyone.
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Customs Info
Reply:
August 11th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
spices are duty and tax free
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Hello, interesting and helpful site. ty… So, my inquiry: We are purchasing a US made (in Texas) jetted tub for our disabled daughter, it will be shipped to Oroville Wa, and we plan to pick it up there when it arrives. And yes, we already know that we will have to pay the HST…. I have already done a search on the betterdollar website and have been unable to find any reference to bathroom fixtures.
My question is: what duty will we have to pay (if any), as it will be only a day trip to pick it up… thankyou for your time…
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Customs Info
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August 11th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
if its made in the US…then you pay no duty thanks to NAFTA
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Sorry, the value of the tub is approx. $2000.
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Hi, I was wondering if I buy from Chinese wholesellers and plan to sell those products. Can I mark it as gifts? Is marking it as gifts illegal? My supplier offered to mark it as gift, should I trust this supplier? Thanks!
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