ok, so we are shipping most of our things from the uk. I am aware they they may get randomly checked and some sort of extra tax possibly applied, and I have been told that if you take brand new unopened things through, that these may be subject to added extra tax also.

So my question is, if I want to take some new bits and bobs through for our new home, if I take all the labels off, packaging etc, if they were checked would i still be liable for extra tax?

im sorry if any of the above isnt true/accurate, ive been doing a lot of research and this is just what ive summized?

Many thanks in advance

you wouldn't want to cheat the tax man before you begin would you.

I don't understand ? I have paid tax on all my items I have purchased here? Why should I have to pay it again just because some things are relatively new? And I'm not being I obtrusive when I say this I just genuinely don't get it. If anyone actually had some helpful advice that would be appreciated.

I`ll be watching this thread with interest as I am in a similar position and will be shipping my goods like the OP

Its always puzzled me as to why customs apply/may apply duty on your personal belongings when you already have purchased them and in doing so would have paid VAT/GST/whatever in the process

Where do they draw the line? Are all your belongings subject? Or just certain items?

I understand that importers need to pay import duties as the goods they are bringing in have left their country of origin tax free but personal effects have already had duty paid - totally different scenario

Can someone explain?

Because it is the law. What taxes you have paid to an other goverment are irrelevant to goods coming into Canada. BC residents have to pay WA state tax and HST coming into Canada unless they are under a personal exemption, so end up double taxed. AB residents don't have to pay WA state tax, makes no sense at all, but it is what it is.

If you have used the items they should not be subject to tax and duty. If they look unused then it is up to the inspecting officer if you get dinged or not and if you don't have receipts, they assess a value in CND$


http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/...f5113-eng.html
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publicati...14-eng.html#s4

Failure to report goods can result in fines and seizure. There is a difference between tax and duty. Tax rates are fixed, duty depend on commodity code and country of origin.