Canadian Import Advice Help - Tax was 200%!

[smudgersmissingleg]

The news media just reported tariffs both ways are off for at least a month, I’m surprised it even got this far, didn’t think it would happen at all. Trump has a way saying things that are BS to put it mildly, that’s how he negotiates…

I hope it stays that way. The last thing Canadians need is even more taxes on tobacco. I thought we had it bad in England then I found out about the price of tobacco in Canada and Australia. Fucking insane!

 

[Duane Cartmill]

Latest refused package, 2 tins of navy flake and 1 tin of plumcake, 300g, 10.5oz =$529.91. I have a feeling, one wouldn't need a highschool diploma to work for the cbsa.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Latest refused package, 2 tins of navy flake and 1 tin of plumcake, 300g, 10.5oz =$529.91. I have a feeling, one wouldn't need a highschool diploma to work for the cbsa.

That’s still cheaper than NZ.

I’m not here to bitch about tax down under. Instead I’ll echo what has been said in this thread already. In Canada you can still import whole leaf excise tax free, whereas here in NZ/OZ that is no longer an option.

Sure it isn’t the same (yet) as buying blends, but in my opinion it is the best way to build a solid cellar base.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

If I lived in Canada... I wouldn't live in Canada.

 

[bullet08]

There is an easy way to get tobacco cheap and duty free. But Canada is rather huge place for.. Damn! Almost fell for it!

 

[super88piper]

Latest refused package, 2 tins of navy flake and 1 tin of plumcake, 300g, 10.5oz =$529.91. I have a feeling, one wouldn't need a highschool diploma to work for the cbsa.

That is brutal...where did you order from?

 

[RNg.Mulligan]

I shed these Canadian tears every time I have to pay duties, but I have accepted it for what it is. At least I live in a province where the duties are lower compared to others. Still...even something as cheap as 507C Virginia Slices costs me about $2/bowl to smoke (CAD $316/pound aka USD $221 / pound).

What I despise is when the border agents assess duties beyond what the rules dictate (roughly 40% of the time)--they're either incompetent or have a vendetta against tobacco. I have to do a big rodeo show to get things reassessed, which can take a while.

 

[AroEnglish]

What I despise is when the border agents assess duties beyond what the rules dictate (roughly 40% of the time)--they're either incompetent or have a vendetta against tobacco. I have to do a big rodeo show to get things reassessed, which can take a while.

Yeah that's so frustrating. They already set the rules and you've agreed to play by them. But then the puck drops and they've moved the blue lines so everything is icing.

 

[Duane Cartmill]

That is brutal...where did you order from?

Smokingpipes. Had an order come through the day before, 1lb hit for $79.00cdn. I can't understand the methods involved in such madness.

 

[Duane Cartmill]

If I lived in Canada... I wouldn't live in Canada.

No better country to live in. I'm very proud of this country. However, If I lived in Toronto, I wouldn't live in Toronto.

 

[super88piper]

Smokingpipes. Had an order come through the day before, 1lb hit for $79.00cdn. I can't understand the methods involved in such madness.

I used to get hit with customs every once in awhile, maybe 50% of the time. That was a few years ago. Now I get hit every time and it's just a matter of the ammout of taxes/duties, it's anywhere from 100% - 200%. I'm mainly watching for good deals now, has to be a super sale or I get the odd stuff off some fellow Canadians here or there.

 

[woodrow]

You have to “know a gu, who knows a guy”. My last from Noggins was unbelievable.

 

[Cubatogo]

Here are the rules, set by the Federal Government, NOT the provinces. There are NO duty exemptions set by any province or territory. Provincial taxes levied will vary.

What are your personal exemption amounts?​

Less than 24 Hours - $0 CAD

There is no duty free allowance for absences of less than than 24 hours.

24 Hour Exemption – $200 CAD

If you are absent from Canada for more than 24 hours, you may claim up to $200 CAD worth of goods duty free as your personal exemption and all goods must be with you when you arrive.

If the total value of goods you bring back to Canada exceeds $200 CAD in total, you cannot claim this exemption and you will have to pay duties and taxes on the value of all goods you bring in to Canada, not just the amount that exceeds your allowance.

You can NOT include tobacco or alcoholic under this exemption.

48 Hour Exemption – $800 CAD

If you are absent from Canada for more than 48 hours, you may claim up to $800 CAD worth of goods duty free, and must have the goods with you when you arrive at the border.

If the total value of goods you bring back to Canada exceeds $800 CAD in total, you can still claim this exemption and you will only have to pay duties and taxes on the value of goods that exceeds $800 CAD.

You may include some tobacco and alcohol products under this exemption, and should review the section below called “Alcohol and Tobacco” for more details.

7 Day Exemption – $800 CAD

If you are absent from Canada for more than 7 days, you may claim up to $800 CAD worth of goods duty free. With the exception of tobacco and alcohol products, you do not need to have the goods with you when you arrive at the border.

If the total value of goods you bring back to Canada exceeds $800 CAD in total, you can still claim this exemption and you will only have to pay duties and taxes on the value of goods that exceeds $800 CAD.

You may include some tobacco and alcohol products under this exemption, and should review the section below called “Alcohol and Tobacco” for more details.

To calculate the number of days you have been absent, do not include the date you left Canada but include the date you returned. Dates matter, not times. For example, you are considered to have been absent for seven days if you left Friday the 7th and returned Friday the 14th.

Tobacco​

You are allowed to bring in all of the following amounts of tobacco into Canada without paying duty:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 50 cigars or cigarillos;
• 200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco; and
• 200 tobacco sticks.

If you include cigarettes, tobacco sticks or manufactured tobacco in your personal allowance, a partial exemption may apply. You will have to pay a special duty on these products unless they are marked“CANADA – DUTY PAID ? DROIT ACQUITTÉ.” You will find Canadian-made products sold at a duty-free shop marked this way.

If you bring in more than your personal allowance, you will have to pay regular duties and assessments on the excess amount, which can be very substantial.

You need to read this fully to understand. Length of stay outside Canada has an impact on the amount of tobacco and alcohol you may bring back duty free. Exceed the weight limits OR dollar value and you will pay.

If I return from Cuba with two boxes of 25 Cohiba Robustos, this would cost me about $3,000 Canadian. Would this be filed under the 50 cigar exemption and not be included in the max $800 exemption for 7 days?

 

[gord]

If I return from Cuba with two boxes of 25 Cohiba Robustos, this would cost me about $3,000 Canadian. Would this be filed under the 50 cigar exemption and not be included in the max $800 exemption for 7 days?

Too much.

 

[gord]

If I lived in Canada... I wouldn't live in Canada.

From my little circle of admittedly niche Canucks, we'd welcome territorial association with the Eagle. No, I'm NOT kidding. This has been almost de riguer from Western areas for a long time.

 

[gord]

You are getting rattled. You need to call the customs office and ask for an explanation these charges. Don't take anything as true until they carefully explain what they did and why. I know import taxes from the U.S. into Canada can be expensive.

The red tape is astounding. I had a bill for about $300 US and finally gave up and swallowed it. Stockpiling from Canadian Native sources is the only reasonable solution, and then it ain't all that cheap . . . about $60 bucks a tin for C&D on average, plus shipping. Have to stop that soon, too. Pensions don't stretch very far.

Fortunately I'm fairly well stocked now.

 

[warren]

No, I'm NOT kidding.

I remember quite a few years back when I played a lot of hockey in the YT there was at movement. a wee movement to be true wanting to annex the province to Alaska. We, Alaska, hadn't even experienced the BIG oil discovery way up north.

One of the teens I played against went on to become an MP from Whitehorse. He always thanks me for the US paying to maintain the Alcan or, whatever it's called now.

 

[Wapask]

Request a re assessment based upon:

Excise duties per unit (units are 50g) are $9.50 per unit I believe

GST and PST on the actual cost of the order in CAD

Then provincial tobacco taxes which go by gram and is an X number of cents per gram depending on your province

Do the math in a typed up letter with the URLs to the govt of Canada site and your provincial site where the prices / taxes / duties are listed.

Send the letter attached to your parcel for re assessment. You're doing their job for them but they won't be able to over charge you, you'll get a proper re assessment and have bases covered if they send the re assessed package back going over what are reasonable taxes. In that case you pay and save your CBSA slip and receipts and send a letter proving they illegally over taxed you based upon our laws. They will have to reimburse since you have a paper trail.

The govt hates informed citizens.

 

[briarblues]

If I return from Cuba with two boxes of 25 Cohiba Robustos, this would cost me about $3,000 Canadian. Would this be filed under the 50 cigar exemption and not be included in the max $800 exemption for 7 days?

IF you purchased 50 cigars, in Cuba, and the total price is under your 7 days, $800.00 exemption, your fine. If the cigars cost $3000.00 then by my math, you've surpassed, your 7 day, $800.00 limit, by $2200.00.

No matter what you purchase / bring back, the maximum allowable limit is $800.00 CDN.

Remember it is NOT the retail price that is charged in Canada. It is what the receipt total shows, where you bought the cigars.

 

[AroEnglish]

IF you purchased 50 cigars, in Cuba, and the total price is under your 7 days, $800.00 exemption, your fine. If the cigars cost $3000.00 then by my math, you've surpassed, your 7 day, $800.00 limit, by $2200.00.

No matter what you purchase / bring back, the maximum allowable limit is $800.00 CDN.

Remember it is NOT the retail price that is charged in Canada. It is what the receipt total shows, where you bought the cigars.

Time to get a hand written receipt from the clerk that has surprisingly similar handwriting to me.