Please can someone clarify just how clean tools need to be? My husband is an electrical/mechanical engineer so is planning on shipping loads of tools for his job. Do they need to be completely spotless, free of oil, grease etc?? Or does this only apply to garden tools, outdoor furniture, bikes etc? What about tools that are covered in paint or plaster which is hard to remove? Your advice is greatly appreciated as want to avoid any problems with our container!

Thanks, Jane

No dirt or organic matter. Tools of the trade are subject to applicable duty and taxes.

Do you no how much these taxes are , and is it per tool or weight.

Thanks

Graham

Duty is based on Canadian value of goods even if used goods. So that $100 wrench you bought 5 years ago still has a value though not the $100.
Tools will also be subject to the GST rate of 5%.
As a rough estimate if you allowed 10% rate that should give you the highest amount payable. There again if only a few tools and value is minimal then they may overlook this.
Duty rate is based on the country of origin of the goods.

Does this count for all tools. I have a 3 tool chests full of hand tools I inherited after my father died and I use them to fix my car. would these be classed as tools of the trade and be eligible for taxes?

I believe not, you just annotate them for personal use. (Unless things changed).

Are you a mechanic as a trade and use them for your trade?

I am ex RAF airframe technician but the tools are for motor vehicle use

If the tools are so you can carry out your trade you will pay tax, if they are so you can carry out personal repairs on personal vehicles then no tax.

If you are going to become an auto technician and plan to use them for that as a job, they attract duty and tax. If they are for personal use only, tax and duty free.

Is that not what I said???

Not quite. It does not matter if you repair personal vehicles or anybody else's vehicles. If you are a mechanic and these are mechanics tools, chances you you would get dinged tax, and also duty (which you did not mention) depending on country of origin.

Thats a load of shite haveing to bring pay taxes to bring our tools if i have 10kg worth of tools at a value of 600 pounds how much tax would i be looking at?

What can i say to get out of paying that tax?

FL is a border agent. I am sure his response will be worth the wait

Typically you should tell the truth...

haha is there anyway around this? could i say there for personal use that i like to build model electronic circuits?