Duty Overage Calculations?

[Lactose]

I know many of you are merchants here and maybe others have experience but I can't seem to find anything on the internet about it and the phone lines never answer.

I'm going to the US in a couple weeks and wanted to bring back some specialty tobacco (Shisha), however I can't find the rules on these products anywhere. I know I'm allwoed to bring it and if I declare it and pay the HST, but I can't seem to find a set in stone amount for the Duties. ARe they too hard to calculate or do they just not advertise them? Anyone have experience with this.

I plan on bringing back ~1000g of Tobacco. It's impossible to find in Ontario/GTA for the good stuff (Starbuzz/Tangiers) and if you find it its way too expensive (talking $100-120 per tin, no thanks).

[S.F.W.]

I thin you are looking at a 4% rate of duty. Did some google searching and found this - http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2011/01-99/01-99-t2011-01-eng.pdf . Chapter 24 covers Tobacco.

[Lactose]

Thanks wouldn't have found it myself. It seems that it would be 4%, however there is a section where it could be clasified as the 8% bracket. Would have to be sure, but its a lot less than what people have told me (60%). even with HST around 20% it's still much cheaper.

Thanks.

[leungalv]

OFF TOPIC

I hate CBSA and their arbitrary exercise of power. Nine out of ten times I bring back cigarettes from the states (usually 3 packs from duty free), they don't care. I brought back TWO portable air condition units valued at $200 each, the agent said, "ok :)" and let me through. Then there's always those that HAVE TO GO BY THE BOOK :O:O:O it's such a crime to bring back three packs of cigarettes without paying duties!!

I had the most interesting border experience last week though. I was coming back into Canada and I pulled up to the window. The officer takes our Nexus cards ... asks us where we lived, and then literally went through all of the questions (i.e. did you bring back any drugs, firearms etc.). Then after he's done, we get into a little conversation:

HIM: "so how you doing today?"
ME: "not bad ... long day"
HIM: "you're sure you're not bringing back tobacco or anything?"
ME: "yes ..."
HIM: "so where do you live?"
ME: "Windsor"
HIM: "how about a specific address?"
ME: "<tells him full address>"
HIM: "in the back of the house right?"
ME: "... yes ... :whoa"
HIM: "do you know who I am?"
ME: "... no ... :whoa"
HIM: "how about if I wasn't wearing this uniform and I was driving a brownish purple Jeep SUV?"
ME: "... ... ..."
ME: "oh f**k off ... :chuckle"

Turns out it was my neighbour ... I had only talked to him once or twice ... but yes, I was thoroughly amused. OK BACK ON TOPIC FOR Y'ALL.

[Lactose]

OFF TOPIC

I hate CBSA and their arbitrary exercise of power. Nine out of ten times I bring back cigarettes from the states (usually 3 packs from duty free), they don't care. I brought back TWO portable air condition units valued at $200 each, the agent said, "ok :)" and let me through. Then there's always those that HAVE TO GO BY THE BOOK :O:O:O it's such a crime to bring back three packs of cigarettes without paying duties!!

I had the most interesting border experience last week though. I was coming back into Canada and I pulled up to the window. The officer takes our Nexus cards ... asks us where we lived, and then literally went through all of the questions (i.e. did you bring back any drugs, firearms etc.). Then after he's done, we get into a little conversation:

HIM: "so how you doing today?"
ME: "not bad ... long day"
HIM: "you're sure you're not bringing back tobacco or anything?"
ME: "yes ..."
HIM: "so where do you live?"
ME: "Windsor"
HIM: "how about a specific address?"
ME: "<tells him full address>"
HIM: "in the back of the house right?"
ME: "... yes ... :whoa"
HIM: "do you know who I am?"
ME: "... no ... :whoa"
HIM: "how about if I wasn't wearing this uniform and I was driving a brownish purple Jeep SUV?"
ME: "... ... ..."
ME: "oh f**k off ... :chuckle"

Turns out it was my neighbour ... I had only talked to him once or twice ... but yes, I was thoroughly amused. OK BACK ON TOPIC FOR Y'ALL.


You should totally work out a deal with him to get by customs and duties ;] and then shop in the US. PRoblem with what I'm looking for is that it's just not available in Ontario. You just can't find it over the counter. If you find the right stores there are some that will sell you it under-the-table for Cash, but it's always the cheaper kinds and not the Starbuzz or Tangier ones.

With the dollar being so close I feel like there's no reason for me not to go to the US to shop, even if I have to pay duties it's still much cheaper for a lot of things, especially bulkier things that require shipping. They have border shipping services too, lots of locations near the rainbow bridge.

I've never been thoroughly searched going into the US, but I always go with my parents so maybe that's why. Hopefully the store I'm going to is willing to relable the tins to $5 instead of the $15, and then i can save much more money :]

[Lockdown]

Open the tobacco, had an issue and just opened every pack and all was good. They usually just want to make sure it's not for resale.

[Lactose]

Open the tobacco, had an issue and just opened every pack and all was good. They usually just want to make sure it's not for resale.

Did they not even charge tax? or just skipped the duties. I was thinking of doing that but these are moist tobacco wanted to avoid them drying up early :P

[Lockdown]

No duties or tax on them for me. Your experience may be different but for me they just wanted to ensure mine were for personal use and not resale.

[MarkWB]

Did they not even charge tax? or just skipped the duties. I was thinking of doing that but these are moist tobacco wanted to avoid them drying up early :P

You could bring/buy some ziploc bags to put the packages in in case they do want to open them.

[Lactose]

You could bring/buy some ziploc bags to put the packages in in case they do want to open them.

Ya that's probably what I'm going to do. Even with all this hassle it's still worth it.

[Lactose]

No duties or tax on them for me. Your experience may be different but for me they just wanted to ensure mine were for personal use and not resale.

I told them its for personal use, they didn't care.

For those wondering I got charged for what they said were 2 cartons worth of tobacco.

I brought back 2x tins of Starbuzz Shisha (250g). It cost me $30 in the US. Upon returning to Canada I got charged $64 and change for Tax/Duties. Worth it? Probably not. Could I have thrown it out and not paid duty? Sure, but I'd have to buy the shittier versions for $20 each anyways so I didnt bother.

Moral of the story, dont declare or have your exemptions.