Inventory update - What have you seen, and where?

[tdub3939]

@Tdub3939...wow... I'm scared to buy bags overseas... but do you ever declare the full value of h bags? And they usually never tax you? I never knew that!!!

Last time I was in Paris (which was unfortunately nearly 2 years ago now), I made a small purchase, keeping in mind that this is small in terms of H. It was a small garden party, which at that time, I think was definitely less than $2k. One of the few times I was taxed was bringing back Chanel from Paris on my previous Paris trip, a few years back. It might help that I have a nexus card, making me a trusted traveler? Maybe you should look into getting one of those if that's the case! Having said that, I haven't been bringing big ticket items over the border recently so they may have gotten more strict. The heart attack it gives me is too much for me to handle, not to mention the fact that my bf is very afraid of customs officers. We live in Vancouver, flew out of Bellingham to Vegas. We were driving back over the border and the officer asked him what we did in vegas. He blurted out, 'SHOPPING!!!' I almost fainted. Luckily, his honesty paid off as the officer just waved us straight through. Again, we are both nexus card holders though.

 

[tdub3939]

My personal experience has been that it seems a bit easier to pass through custom coming back from the US than Europe. I'd declare my purchases but seem to get 'grilled' more when back from Europe (copy of receipts, what did you buy, show me, etc.). Years ago, I went to Asia and bought a Cartier watch. The duty+tax worked out to about 30%. It'd have been cheaper to have bought it here. Also from what I heard, Vancouver custom is even more strict than Toronto. They're supposed to be trained to recognize branded bags (make and model) so they can spot one on you. I still buy bags mostly from the US but tend to find ways to just ship them back to my shipping location in Niagara Falls, NY and drive there to pick it up and just carry it back.

That's actually a really good idea, to get a US PO box. Are they usually more lenient when you drive over the border?

 

[mistikat]

Hmph...it seems to me that at least the rules should be the same in the US as fine art, which would exempt any SOs from customs (unique works of art and those with fewer than 35 versions are automatically exempt and anything rare is usually exempt).

Wow.... that's an awesome rule!!! I wish we had it...

Last time I was in Paris (which was unfortunately nearly 2 years ago now), I made a small purchase, keeping in mind that this is small in terms of H. It was a small garden party, which at that time, I think was definitely less than $2k. One of the few times I was taxed was bringing back Chanel from Paris on my previous Paris trip, a few years back. It might help that I have a nexus card, making me a trusted traveler? Maybe you should look into getting one of those if that's the case! Having said that, I haven't been bringing big ticket items over the border recently so they may have gotten more strict. The heart attack it gives me is too much for me to handle, not to mention the fact that my bf is very afraid of customs officers. We live in Vancouver, flew out of Bellingham to Vegas. We were driving back over the border and the officer asked him what we did in vegas. He blurted out, 'SHOPPING!!!' I almost fainted. Luckily, his honesty paid off as the officer just waved us straight through. Again, we are both nexus card holders though.

That's actually a really good idea, to get a US PO box. Are they usually more lenient when you drive over the border?

Can we please get :back2topic: now?

Thanks.