Shipped some items to point roberts, how much $$$ Will I need?
 

Hey guys, I shipped a cold air intake for a friend ($300), a set of shiftboot covers ($45) and a navigation system ($699) to point roberts. I'm going to go pick it up tomorrow, how much will I be charged on my customs fees?

If I will pay under $150 for all the taxes, I'll declare everything. If I'm going to get raped should I just stick the navi in my trunk and pray to god they don't pull me aside and search my shit, and just declare the shiftboot + CAI?


Also how much is it usually? I know I'll pay 12% tax, but what are the other fees? I read a few other threads and it seems like there's a very large gray area on the topic :blushsmile:

The parts are brand new, should I just say they're used?

HST is 12%, if product bought wasn't made in the US or Mexico, there is a 7% duty extra. They may or may not go that far, sometimes they just charge the HST.

I would declare everything. If you don't an they search, every next time you travel, they'll be on to you. The headache is just not worth the savings.
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Ok,

Will it help if I get a invoice that says the navigation unit (manufactured in China) is used/a customer return? I believe the intake (BMW performance intake) is made in north america (I pray to god it is).

Just declare everything. It's Point Roberts...they will most likely check / question you more, as oppose to Blaine.

Ok, so If I understand correctly,

Anything over $65 is taxed 12%. Anything that is not made in north america is an additional 7% tax UNLESS it's a used automotive part, correct?

Or am I way off?

They will ask for receipts/documentation If you give them a reason, they'll even ask you to log in to your email so they can pull receipts from there. If you don't co-operate, they'll apply whatever value they feel like to the goods.

My recommendation, don't be such a cheapass. Think about it this way. In order to save $xxx by buying in the states, you have to pay $xx in taxes. If you try to BS your way to saving, you'll probably end up paying $xxxx instead through, taxes and penalties.

Given that point roberts is the strictest border, I wouldn't take the chance.

Being cheap is not worth being flagged if you're caught.

At worst you've got $1000 of parts that could be charged 0-20% duty depending how they are classified for duty and where they were manufactured. Here is a simple guide: http://www.aacb.com/tools/tariffguide.htm

You're looking at:
CAI - 8% duty
Shift boots - 8% duty
Headunit - 0 or 8% duty, depends if it electronics (0%) or car parts (8%)

Thus worst case you're looking at 20% (12% HST and 8%) duty on $1045, or $209.

---

I cross about once a month to pickup stuff, I wouldn't risk being flagged to save $200, especially as the savings of buying in the US is far more. The last 3 times I've crossed I've had $500, $600 and $120 worth of car/motorcycle parts and was not asked to go inside and pay duty/taxes, so there is a decent chance you may not have to pay if you're honest.

What should I take as far as proof? Pictures of the paypal transaction + invoices?

I take a printed copy of the email invoice, as most websites and paypal/eBay usually email you a copy.

Do NOT expect an invoice to be shipped inside your package. Many shippers do not do this, cause if the package is opened and someone sees it is worth a lot, the package may "disappear" in transit.

thanks guys. So worst case scenario taxation wise is about $210-$220?

That's not so bad actually. I'll see if I can get my friends car, I may just pull the old deck (broken anyways) and install the new one, and junk the older one and drive home. I supposed that'd work too.


... hope to god the feds aren't reading this.

If you don't cross within 30 mins they will question what you did and where you went. In Blaine you could say you went to eat, shop, ... yet in Point Roberts what are you going to say? You went whale watching?

I have done exactly what you are contemplating before, when I was younger and cheaper. :D I used to use a border crossing in Ontario where I would also buy cheap groceries, cheap booze, and grab a bite to eat too while across the border - so being away a couple hours was easily explained by the extra items I was bringing back. Point Roberts just doesn't offer enough activities for an explanation.

Point Roberts GG i got taxed for 100 dollar auto part and then got the whole car searched.

Did you declare honestly?

Not to hi-jack this thread...but does anyone know where Michelin / Firelli /Bridgestone make their tires? Somewhere within North America?

It happens, sometimes for reason, sometimes randomly, sometimes out of boredom.

I have been searched at Point Roberts, surprisingly going into the US, not out. I was shipping a package to my sister in Albuquerque and it is far cheaper in the US. I declared what I intended to do, and they still searched my car.

The car infront of me was searched last time I crossed. I overheard the border officer tell another officer the car is being flagged for crossing too often.

One of the times I had to go inside and pay the only officer inside was eating his lunch, he took my slip and threw it out, then told me to go on my way.

Thus it can be pretty random, it doesn't happen often yet don't count on not being searched.

Google it. I recently bought General Tires and was able to google that they are made in the US.

Declare it to the freaken cent.

:rofl:

well if you are willing to spend almost $1k of stuff altogether, you shouldn't be stingy abt paying for the tax

I have a buddy recently bought rims w/tires worth $3k and was charged around $200 by customs

declare everything, Pt Roberts agents deal with fraud everyday so they are more anal.

I believe (check for yourself) 99% of electronics are duty free, so your $700 navi should only be subjected to HST.

Why are you risking your record for your friend? If he/she is too cheap to pay for duties, then let them risk their records.

You failed at planning, buying strategy is key when you pick up things at Pt. Roberts.

Man, so much bad information everytime there is a post about merchandise crossing the border.

Are you using 7% as a general percentage for duty, or do you know this to be specific to the items he mentioned? Because there is no standard rate of duty. It depends on the classification of the item.

Nope. Because you would need documents to first show you exported it out of Canada.

Wrong. There is no exemption for being away less than 24 hours. You can get customs on any amount of merchandise you bring back, but of course if it's a very low amount, it may not be worth their time.

The rate of duty varies greatly depending on classification of the item. You can look for types of items and the associated rates here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-com.../menu-eng.html

Products made in North America are exempt from duties because of NAFTA.

Generally electronics don't have duties, but for your $700 navigation unit, that's still $84 in taxes.

IF you want to take the chance and not declare it, you better not give them any reason to suspect it's new. You better throw away the box and all documentation, and maybe even accessories that came with it. You have to make it look like you brought the unit down with you to begin with.

So I've decided to pay. The only customs I've dealt with in the past is stuff shipped to my house and that has in the past worked out to about 35-50 percent, but judging by what everyones saying I'll pay a max of 20 percent, so I'm going tomorrow with screen captures of everything + shipping costs so it shouldn't be too bad.

@spugen, I did search, found varying responses.
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yea i told them i had auto part worth 100$ and thought they wouldnt bother me with it, ive declared more than that b4 and didnt have to pay tax.
didnt mind paying but the search was gay, 2 guys snooped around my car.

Also one time, on my way to seattle, the car got searched and when we returned to the car, we realized that they even take the lids off of your coffee and check whats inside. LOL

Remember you don't pay duty/taxes on shipping!