Hello,

there's a guitar listed on ebay that I'm very much interested in purchasing. The problem is that it's listed in the US, and I'm a Canadian. Anything that is shipped Canada-bound accross the border is subject to a customs tax which I heard can get fairly expensive. What I intend to do is somehow avoid paying these unfair fees.

I live in Winnipeg which is only about a 2-hour drive north from North Dakota/Minnesota.

Now, I've spoken to the seller and he and I both figure it would be best for him to ship to a US-located recipient (Grand Forks would probably be the best option). The main problem is that I don't know anyone in the states.

Is there a place that anyone can think of that wouldn't mind holding the guitar for me so that I can take a day to drive down and pick it up?

Many thanks in advance for any advice/input!

mate trust me, this isnt the place to talk of this subject.

I fully feel your pain. In the UK we can pay around 40% import taxes. There are various ways round it, non of them legal.

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No no and no

Is the tax something the buyer in Canada has to pay or something the shipper has to pay? I shipped an acoustic to Canada yesterday and didn't have to pay any extra taxes.

Its all on the buyer. Here they even tax the shipment cost as you've bought it outside the country and are receiving it as a service/product from oversea's.

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No no and no

If the guitar reads: MADE IN US/MEXICO on it, the NAFTA kicks in and you have to pay only your province sales tax and federal 5% sales tax and shipping of course. Amount that you are claiming for the tax will be used from the bill of landing/customs docs and you will have to pay mentioned taxes on delivery.

Hope that helps

So wait a tic, the guitar I'm interested in is an MIA and the asking price is $1150 US. The provincial sales tax here is 7%.

Do you mean to say my only fee would be a tax of $138+shipping if I were to have the guitar shipped straight to me?

as per this site

http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi?Amoun ... age=Submit

it is going to cost you 1,205.77 CAD + 12 % don't forget GST = $1,350 (approx.) + shipping charge.

I don't know which guitar is in question but if it is MIA Std you can get that price easily and probably from canadian dealers. They all deal with Fender directly without distributor and that is why Fender stuff is way more competitive than Gibson which is distributed by Yorkville sound.

To be sure check and call www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. The information that I am giving you might be outdated since last time I imported a mexican guitar was almost a year ago.

Here's the guitar in question:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=110464038737&Category=33039&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

My dream guitar, even though it was only meant as a student model.

Thanks for your helpful input, danielhelc!

One more thing: I think I read something about filling out a NAFTA sheet, is this required? Or do you think I could simply order the guitar, no strings attached?

Thanks again!

Hey Tornado,

I'm a fellow Winnipegger and I found this place:
http://www.mikesparcelpickup.com/

It's located in Pembina ND which is literally JUST across the border from Emerson. Myself and friends have both used this place and had great service. Run by a couple who owns the local hardware store - nice people. This is honestly your best, cheapest, safest option to have anything shipped to you from the USA. Just pop across the border, pick it up, and fill up on cheap American gas while you're at it! Just make sure you claim it when you come back across.

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FWIW ive just imported some gear from the states to the UK and after conversion from dollars to sterling and working out the customs bill its about 14%.

That includes the cost of shipping by air freight.

One issue ive got to sort is the goods have gone back so now im not liable for customs tax. (and the correct gear is still to ship )

Al87 no VAT? Or are you vat registered. You avoid customs charges on anything under £18.

The easy answer if its a private sale is to get the package marked as a gift. Its still liable for customs duty. You avoid import duty and VAT though. Or maybe you avoid customs and vat and pay import.

The last fretcrown file i bought from stewmac only incurred around 10%. The trem I bought from AllThumbs (for less) had around 28% and was marked as a gift. I think they make it up as they go along.

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No no and no

I hear what your saying Niki i always thought it was the prevailing VAT rate (15%) till January then a smaller import tax on top,

Kinda surprised it worked out at about 14% just a shame its not the right
gear and i,ll have the proper stuff to pay on soon.

As an aside im planning to tell the peeps who billed me its not my call.

Thank you Powdered Toast Man!

I'll be giving those guys a call for sure!

Just wondering,what if it were partially disassembled and shipped as a kit,would that make a difference?I think that's how they get away with a lotof taxes with kit cars.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

If you go across the border and bring the guitar back you might need to fill up some NAFTA/import paperwork. I also remembered that this past July I ordered Fender CS 69 pickups from the ebay and the only thing on customs paperwork I had to sign and pay 13% tax since I am in Ontario.

Best bet is to call the customs agency and find out the details.

Hope that helps