Tips on getting gear across the US border?

HiyoSilver · Post by **HiyoSilver** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 3:25 pm

Looking at buying a board from Big Winds in Hood River, but obviously shipping into Canada is going to be expensive...
So I'm wondering if the community has any tips to offer on getting gear across the border and onto Vancouver Island?
And what are experiences of getting charged duty (how much?) and taxes when bringing used gear across?
And/or perhaps... is anybody going to the States in the next little while and could pick up a board for me in Hood River, Port Angeles, Point Roberts, or?
Thanks!

winddude · Post by **winddude** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 5:20 pm

used or new? Used, "demo", or "samples" shouldn't incur any duties or taxes.

Also shipping you could try the black ball, I was looking for the link on the website, but couldn't find it, so I'm not sure if they still offer the cargo shipping.

nanmoo · Post by **nanmoo** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 5:24 pm

Send it to Point Roberts and kindly ask one of the Vancouver guys to pick it up for you and bring it next time they are over here (seems to be a lot lately!). I've used these guys many times http://tsbshipping.com/rates/ (family lives in Tsawwwassen so makes it easy).

The Port Angeles solution is more costly and complicated for something the size of a board.

winddude wrote:used or new? Used, "demo", or "samples" shouldn't incur any duties or taxes.

Nah uh.. <taxman> http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications ... 1-eng.html but of course its easier to get across as your own if it is used.

winddude · Post by **winddude** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 5:44 pm

nanmoo wrote:
winddude wrote:used or new? Used, "demo", or "samples" shouldn't incur any duties or taxes.
Nah uh.. <taxman> http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications ... 1-eng.html but of course its easier to get across as your own if it is used.

Good to know. Guess I've been lucky. Maybe they can send you gear up you left down during the summer?? haha But the point robberts idea is probably a good call.

HiyoSilver · Post by **HiyoSilver** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 8:00 pm

Thanks for the tbs link, Nanmoo! When re you visiting your family next?

It is a used board... Do you know what duties are on that? 9.5%?

UnusuallyLargeRobin · Fri Oct 16, 2015 12:14 pm

If it's "free shipping within US", I use Seawings in Blaine, they bring it to victoria airport. Costs $17 for the first 15ibs. I've had boards cost about $30, usually just pay sales tax, no duty. Even if not free shipping within US, it's usually cheaper than having it come to you via " International "rate.

Gdawg · Post by **Gdawg** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:26 pm

+1 for Seawing. Used it for various surfboard purchases over the years.

juandesooka · Post by **juandesooka** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:16 pm

seawing sounds interesting.

In Pt R, TSB is good, as is Shell Station. I use McFrugal's nowadays, because open til 8pm, which is convenient for the workin' guy.
http://mcfrugalsparcel.com/

shipping to canada from usa is a crap shoot I find....even if you don't get charged duty, there are these semi random "brokerage" charges....which seems to be $10-60 for the courier to fill out the form. Really screws up the economics of buying small stuff.

HiyoSilver · Post by **HiyoSilver** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 3:33 pm

Thanks! Some good tips her

Does anyone know what how much duty is on wsurf boards?

juandesooka · Post by **juandesooka** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:34 pm

I've brought across SUPs, surfboards, kites, though not windsurfers.
I haven't been charged duty in past 20 years that I can recall. You get charged GST and PST....12%. If the amount is below somewhere around $400, you often just get waved through with no tax.

HiyoSilver · Post by **HiyoSilver** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:04 pm

After some digging in the Canada Border Services Agency website I found <a href="/http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commer ... 15-eng.pdf" target="_blank">this document </a>, page 95-4: (tariff item) 9506.21.00 00 - -(Description of Goods) Sailboards - (MFN Tariff) Free

firstonlastoff · Post by **firstonlastoff** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:04 pm

http://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/w ... -to-canada

SmallWaveSteve · Post by **SmallWaveSteve** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 1:53 pm

Seawings is awesome. I've used them dozens of times, can't vouch for them enough.

KUS · Post by **KUS** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 8:25 pm

HiyoSilver wrote:After some digging in the Canada Border Services Agency website I found <a href="/http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commer ... 15-eng.pdf" target="_blank">this document </a>, page 95-4: (tariff item) 9506.21.00 00 - -(Description of Goods) Sailboards - (MFN Tariff) Free

keep reading the codes.."if made in the US!!" Asia tariff 9-19% depending as I recall...yeah if you peel the thailand sticker off and they dont ask, no probs

Tips on getting gear across the US border?

Tips on getting gear across the US border?

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