Dumb Question? Can I buy something from Canada and bring it to the Unites States?

Nutdotnet

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2000
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Say I went to Canada and bought something, like say a guitar that was worth roughly $1000 or so. Am I able to bring it over to the states? Is there something special I have to do or pay at the border in order for me to be able to take with me to the U.S.?
 

Aquaman

Lifer
Dec 17, 1999
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Being Canadian I only know our laws but if the guitar is not made in north america then you may have to pay some sort of duty. Otherwise it's covered under the free trade act and it's duty free. It's best to call or e-mail your closest 'customs' office.

Cheers,
Aquaman
 

Nutdotnet

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2000
7,721
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ahh good idea. Actually it is made in Canada, it is a Larrivee guitar and made in Vancouver BC (where I would be driving to.)

Anyone else care to share? Or maybe some place on-line I can read up on this info?
 

dcdomain

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2000
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I remember a lot of people tried to go to Canada to buy cars, especially the Acura TL which is around $23k there when it's around $28 here. I forget what they went through, but I don't think it was very successful. I'll try to dig it up somewhere in the other forums later.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
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nut, you have to claim it when you come back into America. The customs person will say "Do you have anything to declare?"

You are required by law to tell them what you bought, and i believe, you pay taxes on items over $400.
 

perry

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2000
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Look around this site. It may help you a little bit. I'm to lazy to track down the answer myself, but it's probably in there.
 

Nutdotnet

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2000
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iamwiz- I beleive you are correct except for things that were "made" in North America, then under NAFTA it is duty-free. But I know there are some exceptions..
hmm.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
i had to pay duty on an american made muffler i bought in cananda. I dunno, though.