Don't know if this has been posted previously, but it's highly likely you will also lose Global Entry (and TSA pre-check, etc...) if you are caught not declaring purchases.
US Customs discussion - airports, importing
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Don't know if this has been posted previously, but it's highly likely you will also lose Global Entry (and TSA pre-check, etc...) if you are caught not declaring purchases.
@sbelle ! I imagine a good fraction of the plane were tourists to the US. Of those coming home, I bet a number were traveling for work, and a good percent of those that weren't didn't spend over the $800 exemption. Plus a family can combine their personal exemptions so the limit could be much higher. And, of course, there are people who lie. I usually don't shop when I travel. When I do, I often ask that my purchases be shipped because I don't want the hassle of carrying them home. I always zoom through US customs with nothing to declare
I was surprised to read this because I thought, from what I had read elsewhere on here, that CETA meant that items from EU imported to Canada were tariff free.
If you search on here for customs and import charges, I hope you will be able to read about other peoples experiences. I know some things have been written, but I'm afraid i don't remember exactly which thread.
It is absolutely not true. Nothing is tax free in Canada -- at least not any luxury goods. I was also charged both a % of duty PLUS a % of tax when I came back from Paris last year. The only reason that I purchased outside of Canada is because I do not live close to any H stores. The CAN customs also did not deduct the VAT refund when calculating the tax&duties. They also confirmed that people either have to bring the CAN receipts or customs declarations with any luxury items every time they travel back to CAN, otherwise it doesn't matter how old the item is, they can always charge you tax as they please.
I think it depends who you get and which airport you arrive at. I haven't been charged duties in over a decade - only GST and PST. I got mixed answers from two CBSA officers. One officer said I'm not a commercial business owner, who imports goods to sell, so I won't incur duties. Another officer said shoes are supposed to incur 30% duties.
So true. Canadian customs are notoriously brutal on taxing luxury goods.It is absolutely not true. Nothing is tax free in Canada -- at least not any luxury goods. I was also charged both a % of duty PLUS a % of tax when I came back from Paris last year. The only reason that I purchased outside of Canada is because I do not live close to any H stores. The CAN customs also did not deduct the VAT refund when calculating the tax&duties. They also confirmed that people either have to bring the CAN receipts or customs declarations with any luxury items every time they travel back to CAN, otherwise it doesn't matter how old the item is, they can always charge you tax as they please.
Arrived through Salt Lake City this past week. The officer that assisted me was super nice but took too long trying to figure things out. I had my list of purchases done and amount in euro sans vat He didn’t bother to convert to $ but asked which currency I listed. He showed be a “cheat sheet” they use for common items. One item I had was silk blouse. He showed me his cheat sheet and it listed shirts in men’s and women’s. The rate for a women’s was double the men’s rate. It told him our tariff schedule is sexist and the rates should be equal for men and women, and that I need to contact my elected officials, it was wrong and penalized women, etc. I was super nice in my approach and he said let’s just toss that one out along with most of my other items etc. all in all, he only charged me for a gold bracelet, silver earrings and a Delvaux bag I brought back for a friend.
I’ve consistently have had good luck with customs agents being nice is smaller arrival cities like Phoenix, Minneapolis and now SLC.
I’ve consistently have had good luck with customs agents being nice is smaller arrival cities like Phoenix, Minneapolis and now SLC.
Landed back at Seattle today. We bought about 15k USD (after VAT refund) of goods while in France. I declared truthfully and the agent taxed me on the "leather" goods, such as Kelly and few LV purchases. LV coated canvas was lumped together with Leather goods. Other stuff such as clothing and sunglasses the agent didn't care about and let me go without taxing it. Perhaps he was too lazy too look up everything. We were taxed the standard $1600 free-$2000 3% - rest 9%. Overall I was taxed for 12k USD portion and let go of 3k USD.
Lastly he insisted on I bring out the Kelly out of the box to see what type of leather it is... even though I told him it's cow and receipt shows it. I was a little annoyed because I feel like he just wanted to see what a $8000 bag look like.
Lastly he insisted on I bring out the Kelly out of the box to see what type of leather it is... even though I told him it's cow and receipt shows it. I was a little annoyed because I feel like he just wanted to see what a $8000 bag look like.
I told that story in my reveal thread already, but I will add it here because this thread was so helpful to me.
I purchased a HAC 40 in France (8300 euros). When I arrived in Detroit, I decided to be honest and declare the bag at CBP. The officer was very friendly. He never made me open my luggage and simply looked at the receipt. He asked me a few questions, then said he would apply the 3% rate to the entire purchase because I was being honest and straightforward. After standard deductions, I ended up paying $266. Better that than being caught cheating the system!
I purchased a HAC 40 in France (8300 euros). When I arrived in Detroit, I decided to be honest and declare the bag at CBP. The officer was very friendly. He never made me open my luggage and simply looked at the receipt. He asked me a few questions, then said he would apply the 3% rate to the entire purchase because I was being honest and straightforward. After standard deductions, I ended up paying $266. Better that than being caught cheating the system!
Hello everyone, I have a silly Q to ask. I’m planning to meet up with my cousin in Paris (she’s from Singapore and I’m from the US). Since this trip is for her bday celebration, I’m planning to buy her a nice gift from the H store (accessories). I know that I will be getting a bag at H as well regardless B/K/other styles. We are arranging our flight leaving Paris (to the US & hers to Spore) to be on the same day and around the same time that way I can claim the VAT on the gift as well. Since, I am not going to bring her gift back to the US, despite on the same receipt as my other items, would it be an issue if I deduct the gift from the declare amount? Please advice...
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You will be fine. Duty is only on items that you are bringing into the US.
Thank you! [emoji4]