Import tax from Canada?

[Songyun]

Hello, if I buy a lens from Canada, and had it shipped to U.S. Do I have to pay customs?

[Dave Parker]

Depends on the declared value of the lens.

[Songyun]

Depends on the declared value of the lens.

How about $600~700?

[Greg Lockrey]

Probably not, especially if it is used. I purchased a lens from a guy in Ontario about a year ago. Came to me fast and no duty. I also bought several items that were new from China at higher prices than that with no problem either. One item was stopped for inspection, but no duty was applied.

[Songyun]

Thanks

[Simon Benton]

Unfortunately the reverse is not true. In my experience just recently Canada Customs have been charging duty on items over $50. At least 90% of my recent off shore purchases have been charged duty and they even have the affront to charge a $5 handling charge for the privilege of charging duty. A declared value of $600 to $700 would have them drooling.

Canadian Government at all levels seem to have a desperate need to tax everyone to the maximum. If the taxes were put to good use it could perhaps be condoned but there are too many tales of waste, theft and just plain stupidity. However, Canadians are complacent and seem content to put up with it.

[Greg Lockrey]

Say it ain't so....I've been barking up the virtues of Canada on another thread....

[JimL]

Unfortunately the reverse is not true. In my experience just recently Canada Customs have been charging duty on items over $50. At least 90% of my recent off shore purchases have been charged duty and they even have the affront to charge a $5 handling charge for the privilege of charging duty. A declared value of $600 to $700 would have them drooling.

Canadian Government at all levels seem to have a desperate need to tax everyone to the maximum. If the taxes were put to good use it could perhaps be condoned but there are too many tales of waste, theft and just plain stupidity. However, Canadians are complacent and seem content to put up with it.

It's not really duty, but GST/PST, as you would pay on things you buy in the country. As far as I'm aware, there is no import duty on photographic equipment. The $5 is cheap when you consider UPS or Fedex ground will ding you at least $40 brokerage for the same thing.

[Walter Foscari]

...It's not really duty, but GST/PST...
Correct. And the $5 handling fee is really not bad compared to the equivalent charges that are applied in some European countries.

[Dave Parker]

How about $600~700?

I have not had to pay duty on items in that price range, I actually have only paid duty on one item in the last several years and that was a piece of very expensive machine equipment I purchased from India.

Dave