from what I've observed while waiting at borders...

*WARNING I AM CAPTAIN OBVIOUS*

modified cars are more likely subjected to searches, so if you don't want to get hassled, take a more family oriented car through the border. Oh, and when answering their questions, respond with confidence.

An older customs agent told me once that by the book, you DO pay customs on the shipping and US taxes as well. Customs is on the total cost of acquiring the item.

I think they also have the right to charge customs on the fair market value of the item. If you bought the $700 navigation unit for $50 somehow, or even got it for free as a gift, I believe they can charge customs on $700.

Really? Every time I've gone in to pay I've presented them with the bill and pointed out the total before shipping, never had an issue. Oh well, even if I had to pay, US shipping is sooooo much less.

I haven't ever had hassle about my modified car, even when I moved across the country yet drove through the US with it packed full of my stuff.

On my motorcycle I am 5 of 5, never been asked to pay or searched. Maybe they are more lenient to bikes since there's not much room to hide stuff :D

just bring enough money with you and it is what it is.

80% of the time I go they are nice about the taxes, and only have to pay 6%...

I know quite a few people who drive their modified imports across the border and are almost guaranteed to get hassled each time :lol

Lots of times I see cars like those pulled over at the stations too. Perhaps it's pure bad luck for them.
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Yeah, I know... I've always been charged customs on just the item cost, but just saying that supposedly by the book, it's the total cost of acquiring the item.

Well I'm going tomorrow. I'll post back on how hard I get anal-ed by customs.

I've noticed whenever my sister goes they're very lenient, maybe because she's a girl and she always takes her car, which more or less blends in. She picked up my porter cable polisher + over $400 worth of costumes around halloween and they didn't even ask her anything else =\

Just declare everything to the exact value, and when the custom officer ask you how much you brought back and what it is, just be honest and say what you brought back and how much it is. If you give them a half ass answers like, "around 300 bucks?" they are more likely to tax you as much as possible. Last time I brought back something that was worth 500 dollars, I showed them the receipts and the a screen shot of the thread, I was only charged 5%.

If you can, bring your mom, I noticed they are A LOT more lenient when your mom is with you. Just treat her to morning tea after with the money saved on the duty and thank you for her time. ;)

totally depends on the guard. I may be wrong, but i get the impression that the guards at point roberts are nice - not as many people go thru point roberts to smuggle shit, so they have an easier job and are more laid back. Just my opinion tho.

First of all, yeah, it's suspicious as fuck if a guy is coming back without buying anything...

that being said, i bought a $1k pair of rims off ebay and only had the paypal receipt. When presenting it to the guy, he asked me if i have an actual receipt or statement that says clearly how much it's worth (I guess because Paypal receipt only shows my payment?)

Anyway, i said i have no idea, he just charged me a hundred something (this was before the HST...so it was tax + duties) and i was off. Simple, and fast.

For $300 you'll have to pay 50 something most likely...if that's more than u can get locally then don't get it. If it's still a decent deal, pay it. It's simple really.

listen to me, and me only (unless someone else has already said this)

i buy LOADS of stuff through point bob (go down weekly to pick up stuff)

1) declare everything
2) $$ limits mean nothing tehse days, its totally up to the border guys (this shouldn't be the case, but it is)
3) they NEVER charge duty (they should but don't)
4) you'll likely pay just the 12%

i've taken accross things for $400+ before in one 20 min trip down, no tax, just went straight through, but paid tax on a $1,000 and $1600 purchase

my father got through with $700 worth of stuff - that's the record to date (we buy so much high end home audio/home theatre/race bike stuff & general other purchases, that its like a game of how much can we get accross without paying tax - again we claim EVERYTHING!)

i repeat, go down, be 100% honest, you may get lucky... we usually assume that if its under $200 we won't get charged - works out like that most of the time

HUGE savings - and i repeat, we declare everything & have our paper work ready to show, be polite, answer all questions, and you'll be fine

That's hilarious, I used to do exactly the same! :thumbsup:

When I lived in Ottawa the border was 45 mins south and my parents lived on the highway inbetween. I'd stop and pickup my mom cause she'd want to go shopping at Walmart, or grocery shopping (meat is sooooo much cheaper in the US!) or mail some stuff to relatives in the US. I was never once searched or had to pay when I had my mom with me.

My GF is going to Bellingham next weekend and bringing her daughter for the same reason. We found her good all seasons at Walmart, bought online and had them shipped store-to-store to Bellingham (they were out of stock). Plus Walmart will mount and balance the new tires for FREE! She will save $250 over Canadian prices and probably pay no tax coming back.

with walmart tires ull def save money. ull def constantly be reminded that theyre wal
mart tires tho. ull see what i mean in 3 months
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This is about the dumbest reply I've had on RS yet. You win an award :thumbsup:

Tires are tires, whether Walmart, Canadian Tire, Big-O or otherwise sell them. Walmart carries Dunlop, Michelin, Goodyear, General, ...

just declare it all... not worth the flagging

i dunno why u're all baggin on Pt. Roberts. Never once had a bad experience there. Pac Highway/ Truck Xing I5 I've always encountered officer Ego-Douche, and thats only the D.H.S that are prickish. CBSA is normally chill