How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

Would it be possible to open a USA post box im working in Alberta on a temporary foreign work permit, I'm trying to purchase goods in the usa and don't want to pay excessive shipping to Canada ,and also customs fees have any members opened po boxes in the states any advice would be gratefull cheers

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

There's several company's in the US that offer the type of service your after. I imagine there will be someone at your closest land border who offers a parcel receiving service. You don't need a postbox as such, I use a company in Blaine who charge $3 to receive parcels and I can pick up anytime.
You might pay tax on your way back at the border, you might not, depends how much you have spent and the mood of the guard I've found but you'll avoid postage and brokerage fees and for me its always been worth the drive even taking into account gas.

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

Having me as a friend :rofl:
As tee1 stated a lot of land border crossings have parcel pick ups on the US side for a small fee. Bear in mind any shipping costs are included in the transaction value including any state taxes as the goods are not being directly shipped to Canada. No personal exemptions if a straight pick up and not meeting the 24 or 48 hour exemption.
On some items definitely worth it on some not so much and on the odd occasion you end up paying more.

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

Well my closest border crossing would be in montana sweetgrass but the next big town would be shelby anyone have any links as I want to purchase some goods before Christmas I know I'm cutting it fine

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

Is it made in the USA? I think those items are exempt. FL is that right?

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

NAFTA exempts goods US/Mex manufactured goods from duty, but not taxes. GST/GST/PST still applies.

In some sintances, goods shipped to WA, WA state tax applies where the vendor has a physical presence in the state. This applies to BC residents and not AB residents.

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

Why bother with Google or Yahoo when you have me ;)

Border Storage - Home

http://www.montanashipping.com/

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

I don't know what it takes to get charged duty and taxes at the border, but so far I have lucked out and never been asked to pay anything, but maybe the BC guards at the smaller crossings don't want to do the paperwork.

I know one guy who buys everything in the US goes down months and brings back hundreds of dollars worth of stuff, but has never been asked to pay taxes on it.

I guess its all very random dependent on the mood of the officer.

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

I got caught with 4 packs of smokes over the limit during a full truck & trailer inspect and you'd thought I'd cut off the heads of children and eat them the way I was treated. I got sent in to pay the duty and the cashier told me I was wasting his time, he went in the back office got on the phone to the officer that sent me in and ripped him a new one.
He came back out and sent me on my way, no payment.

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

Good job you didn't have a 1.75 litre bottle of booze along with the extra 4 packs of smokes as that could have resulted in a death sentence or at least 25 years without parole :rofl:

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

Would having more than your allotted $20 or 20lbs of cheese be considered a crime against humanity then?

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

Former Lancastrian your a star thanks for the super link my friend

Re: How to Avoid excess duty or customs fees
 

Former Lancastrian I owe you a pint my dear friend