Anyone know how I can avoid paying GST and PST on new parts coming in from the US?
- Thread starter Gearbanger 101
- Start date
canadian94gt
New Member
Try getting them to ship it at a reduced value or as a warranty claim. that works sometimes. If your buddy has a U.S. address hecould ship it from there as a gift. No duties or taxes on a gift.
Jason_mustang88
New Member
Well, according to the Canadian Law about to mark gift must up to $50.00 on the custom green sticker or white custom forms. If more than $50.00, then you would have to pay taxes... 
If no gift, that mean 15.00 or up that mean must pay taxes. if under 15.00, then no taxes to pay.
Stuipd law!!
If no gift, that mean 15.00 or up that mean must pay taxes. if under 15.00, then no taxes to pay.
Stuipd law!!
Along the lines of what some of the other guys said...first you have to get the shop to undervalue the package,then ship as a gift or have them send as a warranty replacement (best bet).Some shops wont do the undervalue/gift thing...in that case tell them where to go and order from a shop that will
Hey Gearbanger,
I'm in the Soo and regularly get stuff from the US, although not quite that much $$$ at once.
You have options...
1 - Have it shipped directly to you. Can be huge costs. You pay extra shipping to the vender, then pay the shipper PST and GST, then add on the shipper's customs brokerage charges - all paid on delivery. UPS and Fedex can charge big time bucks for their brokerage service. I just received a camera lens that I bought off eBay for $100 USD. I paid UPS the PST and GST plus $30 brokerage charge!!!! I suggest you call UPS or Fedex Canada direct to find out your total costs.
2 - Go postal. See if they'll ship via USPS. There's a chance you may get away with no charges at all. Canada Post is supposed to charge you PST and GST but sometimes stuff get's through without any charges.
3 - Get it delivered to a US address and you pick it up. You're only 3 hours from Sault, Michigan. Shipping is MUCH cheaper and you decide how you're gonna deal with customs. My advice is to be honest. You pay GST and PST at customs on our side. Is it worth the risk of having the stuff confiscated (they can also impound your vehicle)? There's a local moving and shipping company in Sault Michigan that receives packages for a small fee. Lotsa Canadians use them. PM me if you'ld like more details. I can provide their phone number and you can call them with any specific questions.
4 - Getting your buddy to relay the package to you as a gift is risky. It may work but be prepared for the worst case. If it get's held up at the shipper's customs depot, you could be in for a long wait. Your package will be heavy i.e. very noticable. Heavy, but little value and it's a gift = red flag to their inspectors. Note: The package must have a declared value regardless of whether it's gift or not.
5 - Most reputable venders will not jeopardize their good name and reputation just for one customer that wants to avoid taxes. Some will come right out and say that they will not undervalue or mark items as gifts. If they are caught, US and Canada Customs can make it difficult for their subsequent shipments to get through. Worse yet they can loose their export privileges. You can ask, but I can almost guarantee that they'll say no.
Hope that helps.
I'm in the Soo and regularly get stuff from the US, although not quite that much $$$ at once.
You have options...
1 - Have it shipped directly to you. Can be huge costs. You pay extra shipping to the vender, then pay the shipper PST and GST, then add on the shipper's customs brokerage charges - all paid on delivery. UPS and Fedex can charge big time bucks for their brokerage service. I just received a camera lens that I bought off eBay for $100 USD. I paid UPS the PST and GST plus $30 brokerage charge!!!! I suggest you call UPS or Fedex Canada direct to find out your total costs.
2 - Go postal. See if they'll ship via USPS. There's a chance you may get away with no charges at all. Canada Post is supposed to charge you PST and GST but sometimes stuff get's through without any charges.
3 - Get it delivered to a US address and you pick it up. You're only 3 hours from Sault, Michigan. Shipping is MUCH cheaper and you decide how you're gonna deal with customs. My advice is to be honest. You pay GST and PST at customs on our side. Is it worth the risk of having the stuff confiscated (they can also impound your vehicle)? There's a local moving and shipping company in Sault Michigan that receives packages for a small fee. Lotsa Canadians use them. PM me if you'ld like more details. I can provide their phone number and you can call them with any specific questions.
4 - Getting your buddy to relay the package to you as a gift is risky. It may work but be prepared for the worst case. If it get's held up at the shipper's customs depot, you could be in for a long wait. Your package will be heavy i.e. very noticable. Heavy, but little value and it's a gift = red flag to their inspectors. Note: The package must have a declared value regardless of whether it's gift or not.
5 - Most reputable venders will not jeopardize their good name and reputation just for one customer that wants to avoid taxes. Some will come right out and say that they will not undervalue or mark items as gifts. If they are caught, US and Canada Customs can make it difficult for their subsequent shipments to get through. Worse yet they can loose their export privileges. You can ask, but I can almost guarantee that they'll say no.
Hope that helps.
Gearbanger 101 said:I'm not normally a dishonest person, but I think it'spaying that much tax on a product that I didn't even buy in Canada. It’s bad enough that we get gouged for both the PST and GST in our own province!
Bro I am so with you on that!! our government is a bunch of crooks..where do they get off charging taxes on stuff we didnt even buy in CAN.I screw them every chance I get.
- Can gov.Some places won't ship to PO boxes because courier delivery requires a signature and such.
As for the "I bought it used" idea, better make it look used then. The guys at the border have heard them all.
I don't agree with having to pay the taxes either, but living here I've heard too many horror stories of guys trying to save a few bucks and getting in some big doo doo for it.
A word of waring. If you do ship to a US address and pick it up yourself, your sure to be pulled over at the border since you live 3 hours away. "Hmmmm. Why would this guy drive all this way for stuff that's only a grand. He must be hiding something...Sir, please pull over under the canopy."
As for the "I bought it used" idea, better make it look used then. The guys at the border have heard them all.
I don't agree with having to pay the taxes either, but living here I've heard too many horror stories of guys trying to save a few bucks and getting in some big doo doo for it.
A word of waring. If you do ship to a US address and pick it up yourself, your sure to be pulled over at the border since you live 3 hours away. "Hmmmm. Why would this guy drive all this way for stuff that's only a grand. He must be hiding something...Sir, please pull over under the canopy."
Gixxer750
Founding Member
Just a thought but did you try buying it in Canada, or see if someone with a business account could bring it into Canada for you??
try win win .... PM and you'll understand
and a word of advice? If you're trying to doop paying taxes, I wouldn't be putting it up in a national forum. There 'are' people reading forums like this that could draw attention to your trying to avoid paying customs taxes.
again.. PM me and you'll understand
Sounds like an interesting project!
and a word of advice? If you're trying to doop paying taxes, I wouldn't be putting it up in a national forum. There 'are' people reading forums like this that could draw attention to your trying to avoid paying customs taxes.
again.. PM me and you'll understand
Sounds like an interesting project!
Similar threads
