Western Canada - Importing Bike from US?

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nnt
05-08-09, 11:34 AM
I am looking to buy a new bike in US and bringing it back to Canada/Vancouver personally, (talking about $400 saving from buying the same bike in Canada). but when i checked the duty for bicycle is 13%, so does that mean I am paying GST/PST plus duty when I am coming back with the bike? if thats the case it will add around 25% to my cost which I might have to forget about the idea. has anyone try importing a bike personally from states before or know the actual cost to bringing it in?

zonatandem
05-08-09, 11:38 AM
Put some mud on the bike so it looks dirty/used . . . keep mum and see what happens.
Silent Otto
05-08-09, 02:30 PM
Why do you want to spend your money in a country that is torturing people, even as we speak?

nnt
05-08-09, 03:21 PM
Let’s not get into politic; I would like to support our local business but as a consumer, when driving 1 hour can save $400 cash, I guess that’s an easy choice.
Michel Gagnon
05-09-09, 12:15 PM
I am looking to buy a new bike in US and bringing it back to Canada/Vancouver personally, (talking about $400 saving from buying the same bike in Canada). but when i checked the duty for bicycle is 13%, so does that mean I am paying GST/PST plus duty when I am coming back with the bike? if thats the case it will add around 25% to my cost which I might have to forget about the idea. has anyone try importing a bike personally from states before or know the actual cost to bringing it in?


That's basically the case. However, you have two other legal options.

1. If you deal with mail order, you might save on local sales tax (I think that depends on U.S. state regulations). On the other hand, you will have to pay shipping charges and brokerage fees. There probably are ways to minimize the latter.

2. Check the details with Canada Customs. Basically, if you spend more than a certain amount of time in U.S., you have the right to clear a certain amount off taxes and duties. At one time, you could carry 400 $ of stuff per year duty and tax free if you stayed more than 48 hours in U.S. If the rules are still the same, you could have a nice 2-day outing in the States and save some money.
And if the bike costs 1000 $, it means you would pay tax and duty on the remaining 600 $.
But, as I said, check the current rules.