If the gear is made in Canada, like Simaudio or Totem, there is no duty, or wasn't after the North American Free Trade Agreement was enacted. Considering the current volatility of trade and tariff agreements, though, check before you buy.
Buying in Canada, bringing back to US
I have found scads of threads on this question but I can find no easy answer. I've looked at government website, other forums, and it's astonishingly confusing.
I live in northern New England and Montreal is the closest city. Here's the basic question: if I drive into Canada, buy a NEW piece of stereo equipment, and drive back into the US, what will I pay in taxes, tariffs, customs, duty, whatever the fees are? (Will I pay taxes in Canada, too?) And what if I buy a USED piece of equipment? (Let's assume at least $4000 CAD.) Does it matter if the item was manufactured in the US?
I've spent a fair amount of time looking at the US government's website. It's ... overwhelming. It looks like the "rate of duty" for loudspeakers is either free or 35% (quite a difference). There simply has to be a simple answer.
I've crossed the border many times and I know they don't always check, etc etc. But I would declare whatever I buy. And also: I'm not talking about having something shipped.
Thanks! I know this has been discussed out here for over a decade. But I am hoping someone can tell me in simple terms what the duty (tax, customs, tariffs) rates are for stereo equipment in 2020.
I live in northern New England and Montreal is the closest city. Here's the basic question: if I drive into Canada, buy a NEW piece of stereo equipment, and drive back into the US, what will I pay in taxes, tariffs, customs, duty, whatever the fees are? (Will I pay taxes in Canada, too?) And what if I buy a USED piece of equipment? (Let's assume at least $4000 CAD.) Does it matter if the item was manufactured in the US?
I've spent a fair amount of time looking at the US government's website. It's ... overwhelming. It looks like the "rate of duty" for loudspeakers is either free or 35% (quite a difference). There simply has to be a simple answer.
I've crossed the border many times and I know they don't always check, etc etc. But I would declare whatever I buy. And also: I'm not talking about having something shipped.
Thanks! I know this has been discussed out here for over a decade. But I am hoping someone can tell me in simple terms what the duty (tax, customs, tariffs) rates are for stereo equipment in 2020.
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- 11 posts total
- 11 posts total