C-Forum

Hi,

I know Martin said Canada charges 15% on any item purchased new in the states- I'm trying to get a Wheelboy to Winnipeg and wanted to know if anyone has experienced importing in Canada? Does $475 sound right for freight and duties on an $1100 boat? It seemed pretty high to me.

Bill

The 15% you're talking about is Provincial sales tax and the goods and services tax. I don't know what the PST is in Manitoba, but you're going to pay at least the 7% GST in all provinces. If the item you're shipping is made in the States there are no tariffs under NAFTA. If it's from elsewhere you'll probably pay duties in addition to the sales tax, which could concievably add up to quite a bit along with the shipping.

I'd try to find somebody from nearby U.S.A. (ND) who paddles in Winnipeg and arrange to have the boat shipped through them. Or even just ship it to a border town and have the Winnipegger pick it up and bring across. Cross-border shipping is an expensive hassle. Suggest these things to the buyer in case they want to try arranging one of those options.

P.

brigning it there or soemone picks it up is way cheaper. My friends put his boat in mud once to make it look used so he did not pay for duty.

For sending stuff made in USA you dont have to pay tarriff becuase of the freetrade agrement, only taxes.

Thanks for the advice- the boat however is a wheelboy so it is made abroad. If I didn't own a business I would be inclined to do the mud trick - pretty good idea.

Bill

Bill,

It's not your business' concern if your customer provides a US shipping address - let them worry about the crossing/mud. But it might be nice to suggest the option in case they have cross-border friends.

P.