what would you do? - customs charge on a trade

J

jetsman

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This happened to me on another board.

I did a fairly high $ trade (around $60) with a guy in the States. When he filled out the customs form, he declared the value of the cards around $45 (rather than the seemingly standard $5 or $10 which I've seen on virtually every cross border trade I've ever done).

As a result of the high $ listed, I got dinged for nearly $10 in GST, PST and handling charges.

I know such has happened before to some on here, so how did you handle this? i'm thinking of asking for him to split the cost with me...
 
Don't see what he did wrong. He was honest on his form. There was a 5 or 6 page thread from bamlinden asking that people put the full value on the customs form. What if his package to you had been lost or damaged and he only claimed $5? If he put a claim on it, he'd only get $5 max.

Did you explicitly tell him to put a value of $5 or $10 on the package? If not, he did nothing wrong. I don't see why you should ask him to pay more for being honest on his customs form.
 
lol this is absurd. He didn't circumvent the law and you expect him to split the customs fees as a result? Deal with it. Next time if you don't want to pay customs fees make it known you want the other party to break the law or just flat out do business within Canada, end of story.
 
I dig guys, so here's the addendum q - are there different practices in the US than in Canada? When I go to the post office, and they ask what's in there - paper ? I say yep, sports cards.

At that point they usually just attach the postage. Occasionally they ask for a value, but that's 1:10 i'd say.

Do US offices ask you to fill out the declaration each and every time on a bubbler?
 
Canada Post doesn't often ask for the form. USPS is more stringent.

He behaved in a legal and honest manner. He's not obliged - nor should he feel obliged - to split the customs fees with you. Like it or not, the law of the land states that EVERY transaction is eligible for tax levy. A trade is a transaction. End story.
 
jetsman said:
Do US offices ask you to fill out the declaration each and every time on a bubbler?
Click to expand...

yep, each and every time, used to be you could get away
without them, but not anymore.

and depending on the clerk, they can get nosey on what is in
the package and the value you put on it.
 
Somebody mentioned (past shipping thead) that you could get away without one on a #0 bubble, since it can go through an automated sorter. I also assume a PWE could go without a customs form. I almost always use a #000 for standard (non-slabbed) cards as they seem safer than the bigger envelope, so I've never really tested the theory. I'm just use to filling out customs forms. I have to admit, filling out the new form is an absolute pain in the wrist. I think they are 4-ply, with the customer copy at the bottom.
 
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DCUnited96 said:
Somebody mentioned (past shipping thead) that you could get away without one on a #0 bubble, since it can go through an automated sorter. I also assume a PWE could go without a customs form. I almost always use a #000 for standard (non-slabbed) cards as they seem safer than the bigger envelope, so I've never really tested the theory. I'm just use to filling out customs forms. I have to admit, filling out the new form is an absolute pain in the wrist. I think they are 4-ply, with the customer copy at the bottom.
Click to expand...

It used to be if it weighed less than 1lb it didn't need a customs form. As of Jan 2010 however it does.
 
As a rule I always fill out the customs form for the value. I just declare it as a gift. I have never had anyone complain that they had to pay any kind of duty. I am pretty sure they cannot tax a cross border "gift".


Doug.
 
FASTMAX said:
As a rule I always fill out the customs form for the value. I just declare it as a gift. I have never had anyone complain that they had to pay any kind of duty. I am pretty sure they cannot tax a cross border "gift".


Doug.
Click to expand...

Doug,

That would be because we do not pay any duties/taxes on items coming into the states unless it is an extremely high value. we pay duties on goods for re-sale, but not to the end consumer.

Not like it is coming into Canada,

I suggested on bamlinden's post that there should be a set policy on HI about values marked on trades across borders, That way - the parties involved can agree on whatever amount is declared on the Customs forms BEFORE there is a miss-communication.

In the OP's case - you can never attempt to charge a trade partner for being honest:rolleyes:

Bruce


Bruce
 
FASTMAX said:
As a rule I always fill out the customs form for the value. I just declare it as a gift. I have never had anyone complain that they had to pay any kind of duty. I am pretty sure they cannot tax a cross border "gift".


Doug.
Click to expand...

gifts are just as taxable as any other item you purchase
 
Don't want to deal with potential taxes on trades and purchases? Don't deal outside the Canadian borders.

I don't ask anyone to drop the value on the Customs declaration at all, just as long as it is a fair and accurate representation of what I've paid/traded for. Because I've had people send me packages where they've overvalued what I actually paid for an item - I have to go through a long song and dance of trying to get back the overage of taxes I'm charged.
 
Burner said:
gifts are just as taxable as any other item you purchase
Click to expand...



Really? So if Grandma from the US sends my kids birthday presents and the value is declared at, lets say $150, I might have to pay duty/tax on them? That is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard. I'm not saying its not true, I am just having a hard time believing it.
 
FASTMAX said:
Really? So if Grandma from the US sends my kids birthday presents and the value is declared at, lets say $150, I might have to pay duty/tax on them? That is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard. I'm not saying its not true, I am just having a hard time believing it.
Click to expand...

yes, it's true.

http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGcustoms-e.asp#1382747

"2.2.3 Gifts

Gifts from friends and relatives, valued at $60CDN or less, are duty and tax exempt. In cases where the gift is valued at more than $60CDN, the CBSA will assess duties and taxes on the excess amount. The gift must be sent to the recipient personally and include a card or other notice indicating that it is a gift. Items that do not qualify as gifts include:

tobacco
intoxicating beverages
advertising material
items sent by a business to a consumer in Canada and vice versa.
"
 

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