Cross border shipping question...

[Coker Rat]

If I buy something online via a private seller who is in the U.S. whill they charge me tax when it comes across the border? I can't see how if they can determine the value of it, since it won't have a reciept...

[blackradon]

Re: Cross border shipping question...

Um welll i think if you the guy shipping it puts it as a gift or a low value on it, its pretty cheap. And i guess it depends on the item too, i cant see them passing a hood as a gift, or something big like that. lol

hope that helps out.

-james

[RedMile04]

Re: Cross border shipping question...

When I bought my watch on ebay, the company called it a gift and I wasn't charged anything, even though it was stated that it was worth around 400 bucks. As long as its a "gift" its doesn't seem like they will charge you.

[Coker Rat]

Re: Cross border shipping question...

schweet, hopefully i can convince the seller to do that

[zoik]

Re: Cross border shipping question...

I always talk to the seller about how he's going to ship it and what will be on the border crossing paperwork, and how much to expect to pay at customs. In terms of the sales tax, that's their ploy to get you to pay more. Same with shipping. You can make the item less, but they'll jack up the shipping to make more money out of you.

[Coker Rat]

Re: Cross border shipping question...

I read (or saw on tv, can't rembr) an article the other day about a guy in ontario that purchased some wheels (used) from the US, and got charged GST on the goods AND on the shipping!!! I think it did say that the border guys screwed up but still, what a hassel.

I can see their point, if the border didn't slap a GST on everything then most buisnesses in canada would go broke because everything would be just ordered from the states. However I still think its wrong to tax something not even purchased in the country, especially if you goto that country and come back with the item.

Solution: Get rid of the &%#$ing GST...