Bringing dslr to the states
 

I am going to the states for a few days next week. I would like to bring my dslr along with my trip. Do i need to do anything prior to this so that i dont get ding with tax/fees when coming back to canada?
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I always stop at Canada customs and fill out what gear I have including serial numbers. There is a special green form you can fill out so they won't hassle you when you return.

Register it with Canadian customs. You only have to do this once and never again.

...until you buy new gear.

do you have to do this at the customs office? or can you do this online somewhere?

Customs office. The officer has to personally witness the serial numbers and write them down him/herself.

Valid question.

Better safe than sorry w/ borders ppl.

If the camera is noticibly used, I don't see what the problem is. Just show the officer the pictures you took and the age of the camera..


But if you have something like a brand new 5Dm2 or D3s or something crazy, just register it at the office.

Why did two idiots fail OP's question?

The problem are the young shits working there who seem to have something to prove and seemingly revel in power tripping. I almost had to abandon gear at the Peace Arch border crossing and go home to get the receipt to prove I had bought it in Canada. The officer was visibly crushed when I pulled out the receipt from my wallet and the serial numbers matched.

Instead of filing out forms at canadian customs, can i just bring the receipt for the camera and lens?
And show them the receits if they are causing problems?

Posted via RS Mobile

I suppose that would be ok too.

Thanks for the info, I go down to Seattle all the time and I have never done this but always wondered about it.

Next time I go down I'll fill out one of these!

LOL WTF. hahaha for what gear?!

A portable fridge and something else I can't remember.

Idiot? It's not difficult to figure out bud...

Do you keep your camera in the box you orignally bought it in, on your lap, while going through customs?

Who doesn't bring a camera when travelling to a different country?

Everyone has a DSLR. Everyone is a photographer these days with a watermark and a blog :fullofwin:

+ I would fail your post too if I could for your childish name calling but you are protected by MODSTATUS. :whistle:

^ I guess you're not familiar with the level the customs guys go though when checking you eh?

I've been asked about a old ass point and shoot I had in my glove box just in case of accidents. I couldn't prove that I didn't buy it from the states so they tried to tax me.

I also got asked for a watch I was wearing that I bought in Canada. I had to get my dad to scan and email the receipts to me to show them that I bought it in Canada.

I mean, both those items looked far from new. I even had a watch tan but that wasn't enough.

(But this only happened once.. at Peace Arch crossing)

Aren't most gear/eletronics bought in canada pasted with a sticker that states it's compliant in Canada. When I took my gear overseas, that's what the customs officer said. Watches are different since they do not have any visible markings that it's bought within canada.
Posted via RS Mobile

LoL...you've never driven through the Peace Arch crossing have you?

How does having watermarks and a blog prove that the camera you are bringing through the border is the one used in the images on your blog?

Customs officers have every right to question you on whatever items you bring through customs. I was hassled about my portable fridge with worn paint. It obviously wasn't new, but they still threatened me. I got lucky because for some reason I had left the receipt in my wallet. The only way to be sure they'll let you through is to have either your receipt or fill out the little green form before you leave Canada.

That's true with newer camera equipment - forgot about that. Older camera equipment do not have the "C" & "E" logos, and those can get rubbed off with use. My first DSLR does not have the logos on the body, my Sony A700 DSLR has it, but it's almost worn off. My Canon 5DmkII body & 'L' lenses have it, but my Nikon & Minolta bodies & lenses do not.

Some stuff do, like apple products. But a lot of other electronics don't.

Edit: i just checked my dad's Samsung PnS.
Nothing. Just serial number, model number, and "Made in China/Fabrique en Chune".
I guess the French could be an indication of it being made in Canada.. maybe.. but I doubt the custom workers care.

Not necessarily made in Canada, but made for the Canadian market, and complies with various safety & interference regulations.

Cool thanks guys. I think I'll just bring my receipt next time i cross the border.
Posted via RS Mobile

An acquaintance of mine bought something - a child's Jolly Jumper type of thing, as I recall - in the states, and tried to tell the customs guy she'd bought it in Canada... he took one look and pointed out that there was no French on the box, and dinged her hard.

man, times have changed. i went down to the King Dome to see a Stones concert, and the border guys found the big fatties i rolled and told me i wasn't welcome into the US, and took my stash away. luckily, they didn't find the 'shrooms so we gulped them down, booted it over to Huntington, got through, and floated all the way down to Seattle. on the way back, the Canadian guards asked us what we were doing, took one look at us(we were dog tired by then), and said get the hell home.

Please stay off the fucking road.:)

were you even born 30 years ago? :fullofwin: