bikerbob1

I know its been discussed before but I cannot find a thread on the custom duties of importing a USED bicycle from the U.S. to Canada. Canadian Customs has closed their telephone service for the weekend. I have a chance to purchase a long wanter bike this weekend
Can somone help, please?

Totoro

Under NAFTA, there are no duties on goods imported from the USA. Also, on a used item you shouldn't have to pay GST. However, to avoid hassles with importer agents, avoid FEDEX and UPS. Either transport it yourself, or have it sent by USPS (I don't know if they ship items as large as bikes).

skookum

What is the country of origin of the bicycle? (where was it made?)
I import bike stuff (including bikes) from the US all the time and never pay duty. GST, yes, you are never going to get around that.

Revenue Canada has all the tariff codes online if you need them. Last time I looked they were in pdf form so were very difficult to search.

Don't count on what the Revenue Canada agent tells you over the phone, the customs regulations are so arcane, they can't always be right. Check it yourself,

All of the people at customs that I have dealt with have been very helpful, even helping me to obtain refunds when a mistake was made, but check the regulations yourself.

Dark Arrow

I imported 2 bikes to Australia from the US when I moved here. Both fairly high end machines and I just took them on the plane with me. No Dramas. Are you posting the bikes or bringing them in yourself?

Chris

Cyclist0383

Have it marked as a gift on the customs declaration form. No GST or duty on gifts below a certain value, the amount of which I'm sure you can find on Custom's web site.

womble

The value is something low, like $60. It doesn't matter if it's marked gift or not.

That said, I've had some other useful advice asking a similar question in another forum. It would appear that used bike parts may be exempt.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/125953-vintage-parts-canada.html

patc

Used or new, you have to pay GST + PST (or HST) on any item you import into Canada. There should be no duties on anything purchased from the USA (there may be some exceptions, but that's the general rule). The shipping company can charge you for brokerage.

USPS/Canada Post is reasonably fast, and the brokerage fees are minimal (but based on the declared value of the bike). For large or heavy items, though, mail is often more expensive that the courier companies.

UPS Expedited or Express is fast and reliable to Canada, and the brokerage fee is included in the shipping cost- you still need to pay taxes at the door. NEVER use UPS Ground (aka UPS Standard), they charge outrageous brokerage fees, and you only find out how much at the door. GST applies to brokerage fees too!

I have less experience with FedEx, the fees seem somewhere between Canada Post and UPS.

The courier companies should all have info on their web sites about brokerage fees. I imported about $8000 worth of stuff from the USA last year for work alone, and I use UPS Expedited for almost everything. If the box seems damaged when it arrives, open it in front of the UPS guy and check it for damage before you sign for it: he may grumble about his schedule, but he has to allow you to check it. It may be hard for you to claim damages from UPS after you signed for the parcel.