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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.
42 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
[Reply]
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
Reply:
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?
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
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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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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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
Reply:
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 = ?
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
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.
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
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.
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
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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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
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
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?
[Reply]
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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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?
[Reply]
BoB
Reply:
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
Reply:
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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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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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?
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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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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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