stupid crossing the border question
16-Dec-2009, 08:38 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 494
A standard car jack and tire wrench would be considered part of a car's standard equipment so they're no problem.
The problem can come if you show up at customs on your way back into Canada and they find a big collection of tools that would not normally be carried in a car. Would you be able to prove that you did not buy them during your visit in the US? If you can't prove that, customs can assess their value and demand that you pay duty on them on the spot. Or they could just seize them.
17-Dec-2009, 03:51 AM
#7
Inactive
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: N/A
Posts: 4,641
toss the tools around on the floor several times, make em dirty so they look beat up. if you have good tools they will take the beating and will not get damaged.
if you just purchased them, then they may think you got them while you were in US
if you just purchased them, then they may think you got them while you were in US
17-Dec-2009, 09:15 AM
#8
before you leave the CDN side, go into CDN customs and have them give you a form to fill out w/ what you're carrying w/ you. i do that sometimes w/ my GPS so they don't trip out about it when I'm coming back.
18-Dec-2009, 12:00 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 494
The only problem here is that a typical extensive tool set contains way more pieces than your GPS unit or my camera gear.
If the collection of tools is of any size at all or contains specialized tools, you would have to create a manifest documenting each and every piece in it. You should see some of the manifests that race teams fill out when they cross the border - every tool, socket, screwdriver bit, is documented along with every tire, spare parts, nut and and bolts.
On the other hand if your "tool set" is a standard low cost minimal Canadian Tire ratchet set, I doubt any customs agent would raise a fuss over it on your way back into Canada.
20-Dec-2009, 12:11 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 494
I'm not sure what sort of "repairs" the OP had intended or forseen needing be made south of the border, but there's another good reason not to go down south with anything more than a minimal tool set.
On your way back into Canada, even if you can convince Canada Customs agents that those tools really were originally purchased in Canada, their next question will be to ask why you have such a collection in your car.
If you tell them that they are there just in case your car "broke down", the follow-up question to that will be, "did you have to do any repairs while you were south of the border?"
If you answer yes to that, the follow-up will be, "did you purchase any repair parts, and if so what is their value?" You'll be on the hook for any applicable duties and taxes on those parts.
Even if you answer no, you will probably have already aroused their interest. You may find yourself and your car in the inspection bay while they go through your car looking for any parts that appear to have been newly installed. They will examine your engine bay, exhaust, tires, wheels, stereo equipment, even look for evidence of newly-installed body panels and kits.
You see, you wouldn't be the first to go down with thoughts of saving some money by going south where parts are often more plentiful and cheaper than up here, and installing those cheaper parts while still down there, all in an attempt to evade paying duties and taxes.
And if they're really suspicious of you, they may even start looking for hidden compartments used for drug and weapons smuggling.
On your way back into Canada, even if you can convince Canada Customs agents that those tools really were originally purchased in Canada, their next question will be to ask why you have such a collection in your car.
If you tell them that they are there just in case your car "broke down", the follow-up question to that will be, "did you have to do any repairs while you were south of the border?"
If you answer yes to that, the follow-up will be, "did you purchase any repair parts, and if so what is their value?" You'll be on the hook for any applicable duties and taxes on those parts.
Even if you answer no, you will probably have already aroused their interest. You may find yourself and your car in the inspection bay while they go through your car looking for any parts that appear to have been newly installed. They will examine your engine bay, exhaust, tires, wheels, stereo equipment, even look for evidence of newly-installed body panels and kits.
You see, you wouldn't be the first to go down with thoughts of saving some money by going south where parts are often more plentiful and cheaper than up here, and installing those cheaper parts while still down there, all in an attempt to evade paying duties and taxes.
And if they're really suspicious of you, they may even start looking for hidden compartments used for drug and weapons smuggling.
Last edited by FiveO; 20-Dec-2009 at 02:44 PM.
20-Dec-2009, 02:11 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Chatham
Posts: 238
I used to cross all the time for work. My tool manifest was 14 pages. And yes they want to know everything down to the drill bit sizes. They can be total ****** if they want. I had one border dick make me go threw everything one piece at a time. Who knew being a professional white male with no record, was a reason to get harassed by a fellow Canadian. I'd like to think he was just having one of those days. Just be honest and polite and answer just what they ask, you'll be fine.
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