avoiding taxes on US purchases shipped to Canada?

beeng wrote in post #8730251
I was referring to used gear... but indeed.
And I wasn't so much referring to the law as how they enforce the law. Every little tiny cross-border bit isn't going to be evaluated by a CRA auditor.
In any case I think we've all determined that the best way is to buy local so there is no chance of having to deal with this sort of thing anyway

Used or new, doesn't matter, a purchase is a purchase. The only time I am aware that a purchase is exempt from being taxed is when it has already been taxed by the same jurisdiction. You're right in saying that the CRA isn't going to audit every border transaction, but that is a far cry from your claim of it not being illegal.

Buying used locally is my favorite way or purchasing, but like yourself in shopping for a Sigma 30mm, the Canadian prices are nuts. I ended up buying from the US for about $330, half of the CDN new price. I don't have warranty, but I can buy another one for still less than buying in Canada.

everyone i'm not planning on not delairing stuff i was just wondering if there is a way to get something shipped to canada without getting dinged for taxes? i hear stories all the time ppl getting expensive things shipped to there door from the US and they pay nothing but the shipping? so i thought i could get some info on how that was done.

i always declare my stuff its not worth going to jail or getting fined or a criminal record. thats not what i'm after. not in the least.

i always go over to get my stuff and declare it at the booth. figured if i could ship it here to my door without taxes being slammed on it i would.

thanks for everyones input.

Bob_McBob wrote in post #8728739
Until your province implements HST. July 2010 for Ontario, and the same for BC too, I think.

Well, since Alberta doesn't have any PST to add to the equation HST would equal GST.