Buying Camera from Buffalo, do I need to pay tax and duty?

[Tiger123]

HI,

I live in Toronto and I'm planning to get a digital camera from Buffalo since it's cheaper. However, I'm wondering if I will be charged Sales tax even though I'm not a US citizen? and if I do get taxed, can I get a refund? (similar to how US tourists get tax refunds in canada)....lastly, how much is duty that I will need to pay?

thanks...

[CSK'sMom]

Yes you will pay NY state tax and local tax as well. You will also have to pay the taxes due (GST + PST) when you bring the camera back across the border.

There is no tax refund program in NY state and for the record, there is no longer a tax rebate program in Canada either.

[Gmas]

So you're going to drive over and buy it?

You will get charged tax at the time of purchase for sure. I believe you can file and apply to get re-imbursed. Taxes when you come back to Canada after you declare it will be the standard 14%. Not sure about the duty amount or even if there will be one, but since the camera is most likely manufactured outside Noth America, it's a possibility.

You could always just take it out of the box and not declare it. If they question you, just say it's your camera you previously owned and just brought it on your trip with you to take pics.

[Frankie3s]

Yes you will pay NY state tax and local tax as well. You will also have to pay the taxes due (GST + PST) when you bring the camera back across the border.

There is no tax refund program in NY state and for the record, there is no longer a tax rebate program in Canada either.

I've never understood why in Canada we would ever rebate the taxes paid by foreign travelers on good purchased here? I mean they (foreigners) use the same services such as fire and police as well as public transit amongst other things while they are here. Why was all of this free to them? A lot of other countries were a lot smarter by not giving them a refund at all.

[pontiac_driver]

dont declare the camera when you come back, no duties
snap a couples pics and say it you brought it along for the trip

state tax you gotta pay though

how much cheaper is the camera across the boarder?

[BD006]

Agreed. If you're not anal like me (who likes to keep all the packaging), ditch the box, keep what's important and just keep the camera in a bag as if you had already brought it over with you and don't declare it.

No Canadian taxes or duty.

[mascot]

Keep in mind that border services officers weren't born yesterday. If you have a shiny new-looking camera, and you've still got the manuals and CDs, but all you've ditched is the box, it looks pretty suspicious. If you don't declare it and they find it, the camera might just get seized outright.

Duties and taxes are calculated differently. You'll probably end up getting charged only GST and PST (most favourable nation under NAFTA). Normally, stuff made in other countries has other duties associated with them.

Check here for more information:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/...44-e.html#P047

If you're looking for some light reading, take a look at the Customs Act:

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-52.6/index.html

Chances are, if you declare the camera, they'll probably end up letting you go anyway. When I go to the US for a day trip, I usually buy about $150 worth of stuff and I haven't had to pay one cent worth of PST or GST, even when I declare it.

I say declare the camera. It makes your life and the life of the officer dealing with you that much easier. But hey, what do I know? I'm just a noob, right?

[CSK'sMom]

And just remember Tiger if you try to smuggle and get caught.... You can have your goods confiscated, your vehicle confiscated, your butt hauled off to jail, etc. Even if you walk away with only the goods confiscated your name will now appear in the infamous "list" and you will never have a smooth border crossing again. You will be searched, your vehicle searched (I'm talking seats removed, etc) every time you cross the border.

All to save GST and PST on a camera.....

[jandumm]

i just wanted to add that depending on the product/company, Warranties on products for the US are not always applied to Canadians. One would have to have a US address to proceed with the warranty claim.

Just a point to consider, especially if one doesn't have any contacts in the US.

[Toronto]

You will not get caught if you take it out of the box and cross the border. Customs will not confiscate your camera just because it looks shiny and new, people here are being overly cautious. Just toss the box, put the manual in your glove with your car manual and put the batteries in the camera. Have your wife or whoever put it in their purse. If customs confiscated items on a hunch because it looked new then half the people would be going back with no shoes, shirts, purses, etc. Just don't be rediculous when declaring. I always say I'm bringing back $90 or so and they always let me through.

[Tiger123]

thx for the reply...

The camera I want to get is panasonic Tz3 which is $499.99 CAD before tax in Toronto.

In Buffalo, The same camera is $329 US.

Is it worth going across the border to get it? (well, i'm not just going for a camera...i'm also going for clothes and other stuff...)

[CSIFan29]

Just mail yourself the manuals from the US to your Canadian address, if you really don't want them when you cross the border.

Judging by the price difference, it is worth it. I remember shopping at some department store and Canadians got an 11% discount. I was with my friends and they were in the coach section of the store, but it was in some mall (enclosed mall; not outlets).

[Tiger123]

oh yeah..does anyone know of good electronic stores in the buffalo area where I could get digital cameras? the prices I quoted above were from Best Buy.

[Menthol]

In addition to that if the camera uses SD cards, and you know someone has a camera that uses SD cards, have that person take a photo of you near a landmark in T.O, then take the SD card with you and instal it in the camera when you buy it. Foolproof !

Just mail yourself the manuals from the US to your Canadian address, if you really don't want them when you cross the border.

Judging by the price difference, it is worth it. I remember shopping at some department store and Canadians got an 11% discount. I was with my friends and they were in the coach section of the store, but it was in some mall (enclosed mall; not outlets).

[AMD]

Don't go crazy!

The customs usually don't ask much. Just say you didn't buy anything, that's it.

Or just buy some groceries and stuff. (non-taxable)

In addition to that if the camera uses SD cards, and you know someone has a camera that uses SD cards, have that person take a photo of you near a landmark in T.O, then take the SD card with you and instal it in the camera when you buy it. Foolproof !