Avoiding Customs?

Jjaden · 11-11-2010, 05:19 PM

I am looking to get a few things shipped here from the U.S. and was wondering if any of you had a good way to avoid customs?

I was looking at a $600 bumper and then told it would include 15% HST and a 30% brokerage fee. No offense but FvCK that, I'm not paying an additional 45% for being Canadian.

I had a computer I purchased, shipped to my uncle in florida, and then had him ship it to me here and label it 'electronic repair' and we were able to avoid customs this route, just curious if anyone knows if something similar may work for used car parts?

YamahaR6 · 11-11-2010, 05:58 PM

USPS will save you a little on the brokerage fee (if there are any).

Pharmacist · 11-11-2010, 06:44 PM

welcome to canada. didnt you know that being canadian means you are obliged to be ripped off and taxed to death?

why dont you drive down south of the border, fit the new bumper onto the car, and then drive back home?

Jjaden · 11-11-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

welcome to canada. didnt you know that being canadian means you are obliged to be ripped off and taxed to death?

why dont you drive down south of the border, fit the new bumper onto the car, and then drive back home?

I have actually considered this. If I buy a Fenders, a Front and Rear bumper I'm having it shipped to my Florida Address and will drive my car the 20 hours down there, have it all installed and painted and drive back.

I refuse to pay 45% more because I'm Canadian, I get bent over every time I go to gas up the tank, I was bent over when I purchased the car, enough is enough...

Xan · 11-11-2010, 08:02 PM

20 hours to Florida? That's some fast driving...

Jjaden · 11-11-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xan

20 hours to Florida? That's some fast driving...

Hah yup, I did the drive last May when we were driving my girlfriends car to leave down at her Florida house...

I got a speeding ticket 10 mins across the border, bastards....

doubleG370Z · 11-11-2010, 08:26 PM

ship stuff to a US shipping company close to the border then cross over to pick it up, all you will have to pay if the product is made in USA is the HST and no brokerage fee. This process can help save the high shipping costs.

6MT · 11-11-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jjaden

and was wondering if any of you had a good way to avoid customs?

I had a computer I purchased, shipped to my uncle in florida, and then had him ship it to me here and label it 'electronic repair' and we were able to avoid customs this route, just curious if anyone knows if something similar may work for used car parts?

If you think that breaking the law should be discussed on a public forum, then you really need help.

(wow!)

350z_2nr · 11-11-2010, 08:41 PM

Why don't you just find the closest UPS Store to the border and get a mailbox there or just have it shipped there and pick it up? beats the hell out of driving 20 hours and putting more miles on your car. Just a thought.

Jjaden · 11-11-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

If you think that breaking the law should be discussed on a public forum, then you really need help.

(wow!)

And yet I have gotten many helpful replies.

Some laws make sense and keep society from anarchy, others are meant to tax the masses and fatten the pockets of the government.

I have absolutely no qualms with circumventing the latter.

6MT · 11-11-2010, 08:45 PM

But on a public forum. You really aren't too bright are you?

Jjaden · 11-11-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

But on a public forum. You really aren't too bright are you?

I'm not breaking any laws by inquiring as to how I go about circumventing customs. I'm considering my options and looking for potential alternatives.

As far as I am aware some of the suggestions that have been provided are totally legal such as having it mailed to a nearby U.S. address and installing it there.

Did you post in this thread to start an argument? Or just be a smart arse and get into a debate so you can try to demonstrate how intelligent you believe yourself to be?

I better watch out, I think customs agents might be trolling 370z forums looking for potential violators of customs laws....

djpathfinder · 11-11-2010, 09:13 PM

You think it's legal to not claim a purchase you made in the states while visiting, even if you have it installed there? Sure people try not claiming, but if you get caught they could fine you on top of making you pay the HST...that's assuming they don't confiscate it. Then you also get black listed so every time you cross back into the country they search all your possessions.

The unfair charge is the brokerage fee though. If you ship via UPS, you're pretty much always going to pay that. If it's USPS, most of the time there isn't one or it's minimal. There are some great ideas about setting up a postal mailbox close to the border which require you to pick it up. That will help you avoid those brokerage fees.

avoiding government taxes = inner monologue
avoiding brokerage fees = outer dialogue.

11-11-2010, 05:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jjaden Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 821 Drives: 370Z/MAT SILVER/6MT Rep Power: 16	Avoiding Customs? I am looking to get a few things shipped here from the U.S. and was wondering if any of you had a good way to avoid customs? I was looking at a $600 bumper and then told it would include 15% HST and a 30% brokerage fee. No offense but FvCK that, I'm not paying an additional 45% for being Canadian. I had a computer I purchased, shipped to my uncle in florida, and then had him ship it to me here and label it 'electronic repair' and we were able to avoid customs this route, just curious if anyone knows if something similar may work for used car parts?

11-11-2010, 06:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pharmacist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,249 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 17	welcome to canada. didnt you know that being canadian means you are obliged to be ripped off and taxed to death? why dont you drive down south of the border, fit the new bumper onto the car, and then drive back home? __________________ 2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

11-11-2010, 08:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Xan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts:99999999999999 Posts: 3,301 Drives: 370Z 40th Aniversary Rep Power: 24	20 hours to Florida? That's some fast driving... __________________

11-11-2010, 08:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1789	But on a public forum. You really aren't too bright are you? __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

11-11-2010, 09:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	You think it's legal to not claim a purchase you made in the states while visiting, even if you have it installed there? Sure people try not claiming, but if you get caught they could fine you on top of making you pay the HST...that's assuming they don't confiscate it. Then you also get black listed so every time you cross back into the country they search all your possessions. The unfair charge is the brokerage fee though. If you ship via UPS, you're pretty much always going to pay that. If it's USPS, most of the time there isn't one or it's minimal. There are some great ideas about setting up a postal mailbox close to the border which require you to pick it up. That will help you avoid those brokerage fees. avoiding government taxes = inner monologue avoiding brokerage fees = outer dialogue. __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

11-11-2010, 05:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
YamahaR6 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: California Posts: 527 Drives: A Car Rep Power: 17	USPS will save you a little on the brokerage fee (if there are any).

11-11-2010, 08:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
doubleG370Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Vancouver Posts: 257 Drives: 09 370Z blk 7AT NAV Rep Power: 14	ship stuff to a US shipping company close to the border then cross over to pick it up, all you will have to pay if the product is made in USA is the HST and no brokerage fee. This process can help save the high shipping costs.

11-11-2010, 08:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
350z_2nr Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bristol, TN Posts: 87 Drives: roadster 370zTT 350z Rep Power: 15	Why don't you just find the closest UPS Store to the border and get a mailbox there or just have it shipped there and pick it up? beats the hell out of driving 20 hours and putting more miles on your car. Just a thought.

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