My experience is that what you pay depends on the customs agent you get when you make your declaration. When I drove a used pair of made in England ProAc speakers back from Vancouver Island to Washington State the agent knew enough to investigate because the boxes said 'Manufactured in England'. I told her what I'd paid but didn't have a written receipt. She had no clue what that meant in terms of the duty. After almost half an hour looking through a book that looked like the combined phone books of all the New York boroughs she came up with a figure of $53. It was obvious she couldn't find an answer and simply settled on what felt fair to her. I paid it and drove on.
Buying in Canada, bringing back to US
I have found scads of threads on this question but I can find no easy answer. I've looked at government website, other forums, and it's astonishingly confusing.
I live in northern New England and Montreal is the closest city. Here's the basic question: if I drive into Canada, buy a NEW piece of stereo equipment, and drive back into the US, what will I pay in taxes, tariffs, customs, duty, whatever the fees are? (Will I pay taxes in Canada, too?) And what if I buy a USED piece of equipment? (Let's assume at least $4000 CAD.) Does it matter if the item was manufactured in the US?
I've spent a fair amount of time looking at the US government's website. It's ... overwhelming. It looks like the "rate of duty" for loudspeakers is either free or 35% (quite a difference). There simply has to be a simple answer.
I've crossed the border many times and I know they don't always check, etc etc. But I would declare whatever I buy. And also: I'm not talking about having something shipped.
Thanks! I know this has been discussed out here for over a decade. But I am hoping someone can tell me in simple terms what the duty (tax, customs, tariffs) rates are for stereo equipment in 2020.
I live in northern New England and Montreal is the closest city. Here's the basic question: if I drive into Canada, buy a NEW piece of stereo equipment, and drive back into the US, what will I pay in taxes, tariffs, customs, duty, whatever the fees are? (Will I pay taxes in Canada, too?) And what if I buy a USED piece of equipment? (Let's assume at least $4000 CAD.) Does it matter if the item was manufactured in the US?
I've spent a fair amount of time looking at the US government's website. It's ... overwhelming. It looks like the "rate of duty" for loudspeakers is either free or 35% (quite a difference). There simply has to be a simple answer.
I've crossed the border many times and I know they don't always check, etc etc. But I would declare whatever I buy. And also: I'm not talking about having something shipped.
Thanks! I know this has been discussed out here for over a decade. But I am hoping someone can tell me in simple terms what the duty (tax, customs, tariffs) rates are for stereo equipment in 2020.
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- 11 posts total
- 11 posts total