FAQ About Cross Border Shopping / CBSA

[CSK'sMom]

brunes, beer and liquor duty/taxes/markup have been discussed several times in the travel forum. Generally, you're looking at about $9 duty+taxes on a case of beer. Or if you're like us you buy a 12 pack or 2 every grocery trip and truthfully declare it and get waved through.

[brunes]

brunes, beer and liquor duty/taxes/markup have been discussed several times in the travel forum. Generally, you're looking at about $9 duty+taxes on a case of beer. Or if you're like us you buy a 12 pack or 2 every grocery trip and truthfully declare it and get waved through.

This is not enough detail at all. What I would like to know is

- How much / bottle of beer, or if / L based, how much / L duty
- How much / L of hard liquor duty
- Whether or not GST/PST is added on top of that duty
- Someone who could point me to an official source for said information, either on the CBSA website or some other document I could get a copy of, so I can be confident when I approach the border I am correct in my assessment of my expected duty

Hopefully the OP or another CBSA employee can shed some light.

EDIT: Also I would like more information on this statement:

Status aboriginals (living on a reserve) have their tax exemption honoured on imports as well.

Does this apply to the alcohol import duties as well? I have a close friend who is status; if we went across the border and he purchased the liquor, with his money, could he import it tax free? I am not trying to weasel around the law I just really would liek to have some of my favorite beer :P

[kurtblak]

I think you know the answer to your question already.

You are wrong. No I don't... it's a legit question and I have never been given a definitive answer.

Does the CBSA computer flag you even when you change license plates?

what is the fear of answering...diluting the "power" of border guards lol...

[brunes]

You are wrong. No I don't... it's a legit question and I have never been given a definitive answer.

Does the CBSA computer flag you even when you change license plates?

what is the fear of answering...diluting the "power" of border guards lol...

There is no fear of answering, the question is just *****.

For example, here is the same question posed another way. If you are flagged, and you travel in another car with someone who is not flagged, when you come back will you be searched?

The answer is, if the CBSA employee asks for your ID and you show it to them, of course you will! If the employee does not askf or the ID, of course you won't! If the license plates were legally moved to your name, of course you will!

It is just common sense man. You're taking a huge risk with such a scheme because the CBSA can ask for ID for anyone coming back at any time, it is luck of the draw if the car is waived through without having to show the CBSA your ID.

[Whitedart]

This is not enough detail at all. What I would like to know is

- How much / bottle of beer, or if / L based, how much / L duty
- How much / L of hard liquor duty
- Whether or not GST/PST is added on top of that duty
- Someone who could point me to an official source for said information, either on the CBSA website or some other document I could get a copy of, so I can be confident when I approach the border I am correct in my assessment of my expected duty

Hopefully the OP or another CBSA employee can shed some light.

EDIT: Also I would like more information on this statement:

Does this apply to the alcohol import duties as well? I have a close friend who is status; if we went across the border and he purchased the liquor, with his money, could he import it tax free? I am not trying to weasel around the law I just really would liek to have some of my favorite beer :P

Ebola had posted this on June 22nd in the Avoiding taxes thread. Prov taxes are different where you are, but it provides some duty info.


http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...512053&page=64

Also as a general FYI, since I printed off a couple online ratings so people would have a bit better idea what they are in store for.

Taxes on:

Rum

Duty = 11.696% per LPA Unit of Measure

GST = 5%

Ontario Provincial Liquor Mark Up Tax = 59.90%

PST = 12%

Duty rate may vary depending on type of hard alcohol, the rest of the taxes will be the same.


Beer

Duty rate = 31.22% per HLT

GST = 5%

Ontario Provincial Mark Up Tax = .676% on the Litre.

PST = 12 %


Hope this helps everyone a bit. I will not be printing off any more specific examples than these. If you want a specific rating, call BIS to connect to someone on duty.

[cwb27]

You are wrong. No I don't... it's a legit question and I have never been given a definitive answer.

Does the CBSA computer flag you even when you change license plates?

what is the fear of answering...diluting the "power" of border guards lol...

There is no fear involved really (as much as you like to think there is on my behalf)...

There is a significant amount of information that the public does need to know about how the CBSA operates. Read back through the hundreds of CBSA related threads I've posted in, you'll see there are many occasions that I have declined to give information about CBSA operations.

[brunes]

Hope this helps everyone a bit. I will not be printing off any more specific examples than these. If you want a specific rating, call BIS to connect to someone on duty.

What is HLT ?

So, let's say that the NB mark up tax is simmilar to that in Ontario (since there is no info on it anywhere), 0.676%. I normally just drop the PST / GST from the equation since you pay that on stuff bought here anyway. So, looks like the markup is about 32%? That isn't that bad - it's about $15.99 for a 12 pack, add 32% and it is about the same pricm as a 12 pack of any decent beer locally.

Again, Ebola IMO CBSA should put this information somewhere the public can see it.

[watta3]

I showed the border agent all the reciept after returning from a shopping spree on a long weekend. They asked me to go a head. No tax, any credit for being honest? If I were to pay, Where do I pay them? at the border boxes where car passes by? or being asked to park the car and go inside the building?

Thanks a lot!

[BobW]

Q: If I make a weekend run to the USA to get new tires and have them installed on my vehicle, how do I declare that on my return? What kind of taxes, etc am I looking at?

[brunes]

Q: If I make a weekend run to the USA to get new tires and have them installed on my vehicle, how do I declare that on my return? What kind of taxes, etc am I looking at?

You'll have to pay taxes on the tires but not the labour.

If the tires were made in the US (Michelin or Firestone/Bridgestone) you will only pay tax. If they were made in Korea or elsewhere (Kumho , others) you TECHNICALLY have to pay GPT import duties as well (7%), but from my experience buying tires in the US twice, the CBSA agent does not normally ask the origin of the tires if you declare them, probably because it is a PITA to look around the tire to check.

Also, Ebola FYI your tarrif link in the OP doesn't work anymore. I think the current one is http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-com...mod-1-eng.html

[kurtblak]

The answer to your question is:

If your name is in the system for having enforcement action taken against you, then your name is in the system, doesn't matter what mode/method of transport, and thus it will appear when queried.

This is explained when enforcement action is taken, that your name will be put into the system.

I've said before there are some things that I can not tell you, or the public at large if I value my job. If I can't tell you, I don't hate you or have anything against you, I just refuse to do anything to jeopordize my career.

You did not answer my question except highlight how insecure your job is.

My question is completely legitimate and not illegal in any away; there is nothing secret about the border crossing except if you are a wanna-be super spy who failed to get into CSIS.

And your avatar pic may not have been a simple coincidence; your acting like that office hero...

[brunes]

You did not answer my question except highlight how insecure your job is.

My question is completely legitimate and not illegal in any away; there is nothing secret about the border crossing except if you are a wanna-be super spy who failed to get into CSIS.

And your avatar pic may not have been a simple coincidence; your acting like that office hero...

Your question has already been answered. It is ***** to even ask as a 6 year old knows the answer anyway. Go troll elsewhere please and keep this thread useful.

[3weddings]

Sorry kurtblak...I don't see where you are not reading the response to your question???

I agree that the response was common sense since when you are flagged, anything registered to you would also be flagged.

Good Job keeping the masses informed gentlemen!! I would love to see how many times a week you smash your head on the keyboard though!!!

[Ebola]

I showed the border agent all the reciept after returning from a shopping spree on a long weekend. They asked me to go a head. No tax, any credit for being honest? If I were to pay, Where do I pay them? at the border boxes where car passes by? or being asked to park the car and go inside the building?

Thanks a lot!

Hey watta,

No there is no credit for being honest, it is kind of the whole idea that you declare honestly.

You pay taxes by parking the car and going inside the building.

[CheapScotsman]

You are wrong. No I don't... it's a legit question and I have never been given a definitive answer.

Does the CBSA computer flag you even when you change license plates?

what is the fear of answering...diluting the "power" of border guards lol...

Ebola has indicated that your name isn't listed in the system based on your license plate .... its by your name

Here is an encouter that I had .... In the 1980s I got pulled over in Washington State .... and they had access to my BC driving record. They asked me about a speeding ticket I had received in BC so ....

Its now 20 years later and, at least here in BC, they always request official ID (driver license, birth certificate, passport, etc) when you cross the border in either direction

I am quite confidant that both the CDN and US border guys can access your birth cert info, your passport info and your driving record ...which would include your address and change of address info along with any cars (and probably previous ones) registered to you ...