I am moving over to start work as a heavy truck mechanic in a few weeks flying into calgary, but have been told that it would be useful to have my tools fairly quickly. I have a large tool box and have been advised to air frieght them to get there quicker but I think that would be quite expensive as they are heavy. Also I have learnt that some people have been stung by duty paid on them as they have been sent over independently so therefore are for work. How can I inform the customs that they are for personal use if they arrive separately. Another option is to send them groupage next week as our main container isnt leaving for another month. Any ideas please, or any other mechanics out there willing to advise.

Thanks

I know a mechanic who came over about 18 months ago and had the same problem. In the end he shipped his tools in the container, the cost to send his tools separately was way to expensive. He managed to get by at work by begging and borrowing. Have you spoken to your employer to see if their is anything they can do to help. Sam

We sent our hubby's groupage - be aware with groupage, you have to wait until the container is full. We were told six weeks. Oh not bad. That was 6 weeks AFTER they had filled the previousley empty container. Hubby was using what was left of his foremans old tools from the '70's and a few bits and pieces he picked up before his tools arrived - he wasn't stung on tax.

You can pick up tools reasonably cheap, hubby just picked up a Stanly socket set from crappy tire for $99 - regular $299 or summat. Also check out Princess Auto for tool prices, check out the flyers for Canadian Tyre and such like too - to get the bargains and to get an idea on costs.

Best thing is to ship them with your container, it's quicker in the end. My OH found that his co-workers were quite happy to let him use their tools until he had all of his (plus he bought some more over here). If you already have employment lined up speak with your line manager and see what the norm is in your company. Good Luck!

Hi
shipped my seven toolboxes in the container.

'hobby tools for restoring old vehicles'

To make do there, are some cheap tools over here, admittedly they don't last long.
alternatively your new employer should have a trade discount you can use at their supplier, I get approx 50% off most tools I buy ( some more, some less).
also some employers give you a tool allowance in the first year.

I find borrowing tools here difficult, unless they are specialist or from the supervisor.

cheers
Jerry

We shipped hubby's tools in our container - his works colleagues were quite happy to loan him tools to keep him going.

Our container took exactly 5 weeks to arrive.

We shipped hubbys tools with general stuff, in all we had 12 boxes
Never paid duty on them

Just put them down as used tools, also know a guy who did the same and they was all mechanics tools and he never paid duty on them, what i have read its mainly if they are new tools, not used.

Just make sure they are really clean and i mean real clean, any bit of dirt on them and they will go mad
We shipped 12 boxes and they was here in aweek, cost us 1200 UK pounds

LB

It has been a while but I believe that we were able to use the shipping of the tools cost at tax time. Obviously not the other items though...

Thanks everyone, my OH boss has said he will lend him his until ours arrive in the container.What a hero. Saves alot of money and hassle. Thanks to everyone who replied Im sure there will be other questions in the future. Are there any Heavy Good truck mechanics out there. Lots of jobs but havent heard from any on expats. Calgary area.Thanks

Im worried about the tax I hear mechanics have to pay on there tool boxes.
I want to put mine in a container with my household belongings and ship them to canada.
Can anyone advise on any routes to avoid this tax and if it can be claimed back?
Do the tax you on the value of the tools?

My man packed a few essentials in our luggage and we sent the rest with everything else. He didn't have to pay any duty on them.

My hubby brought (in the container) a huge Snap On box loaded with tools and a normal sized MAC box loaded with tools, he didn't pay any tax.