I was thinking about going to Bellingham, Washington soon from Surrey, British Columbia (Canada), and I was thinking about buying a Nintendo Wii there, if it is in stock. However, I am a bit concerned about coming back to Canada. I am only staying for only a few hours, so I was wondering if I have to pay duty at the border, and how much it will cost. The Wii and one game is USD$399.98 and with tax it is USD$345.00. I thought about getting rid of the boxes and hiding it, but I'm not sure what to do. Please help. Thanks.
2007-05-28 11:32:08 · 4 answers · asked by Isamkarpsaj 2 in Travel ➔ Canada ➔ Other - Canada
Oops. I meant CAD$399.98. Sorry.
2007-05-29 12:38:28 · update #1
There is no exemption for duty on purchases purchased while you are out of the fcountry for less than 24 hours. For 24-48 hours it is only $50 duty free. However, if you are out of the country for 48 hours you can bring back $400 duty free.
I would not recommend getting rid of the packaging, because if anything goes wrong with the Wii, you will need the packaging in order to return it for exchange or refund. Without the packaging you will be SOL. You would also have to get rid of the receipt ... also not advised!!
If you go through and don't claim it, and you are searched or questioned further for any reason, it will be worse than having claimed it to begin with.
Duty varies, and they won't tell you in advance what it would be.
2007-05-28 16:14:07 · answer #1 · answered by Pichi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, how can it cost $55USD less with tax than without it?
Well, it is too bad that in your area you only have 4 crossing points. Here (Montréal area) there is more than a dozen and often Canada customs will not hassle to charge duty if it is at one of the rural crossing points.
If you'd like to be legal bring a tent and camp out overnight after you have bought it. Or, if you are lucky, just wait awhile. The US dollar is collapsing so fast versus the CDN dollar that soon it will be cheaper in Surrey.
2007-05-28 11:51:48 · answer #2 · answered by Hank 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't think the people have the power to do it. any realy movement would be silence with the combined forces of the US and Canada so I don't see it happening.
2016-04-01 01:34:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should UPS it to yourself as a gift and then there will be no duty.
2007-05-29 07:47:38 · answer #4 · answered by nbr660 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋