So, How Does This Cross-Border Shopping Thing Work?

[ToadRide]

Just bought a Honda generator for the upcoming blackouts. Oh yes, round here they're up and coming. I did wonder bout the cross border price so I called the dealer in Bellingham. He quoted me at five or six hundred cheaper which was kinda borderline savings (no pun intended) but I persued it to the point of calling the border guys ( just a swell bunch of fellas) to find out what further expence was involved. It's made in Japan so duty counts. 6 to 10% there, depending. And here's the kicker. After purchase and paying US tax, I get to the border and will be charged GST and PST on the whole shebang! Savings out the window. Is this the same with bikes? I mean, if you are going for a bike that is two grand cheaper in the States, doesn't all this crap pretty well eat up your savings.
Confused in Canada.

[Flyer]

As a 'nother worlder, I'm suprised you'd have to pay US tax on it.  

[highside]

If you are purchasing in Washington as a Canadian you shouldn't have to pay sales tax on it. I don't think there are any other taxes that add on to the price so that should bring it back down to retail price out the door.

[DmCole]

I have bought parts mostly, some generic items, such as tires, clothing there are some savings, if spending several hundred dollars, just got some oem(Honda) parts, by the time I was done I feel like I was burned, most of the parts would have been cheaper here, plus I wouldn't had to make a trip(time is worth something)to us mail box to pickup
The biggest worry, is if there is a problem, I bought a pair of Joe Rocket leather pants in spring, Clip/button was incorrectly installed,I would of had to ship them back, fight to have repaired/replaced, where as if local it would have been dealers problem
I have had people with similar problems with tires, not worth the headache, unless you can deal with a good shop in US

[andreychuk]

I bought an 04 BMW K1200Rs in Nevada this past spring.
No taxes paid on the purchase, in Nev.
All said and done, I saved $6000 Cdn. dollars
I would go back tomorrow.
Shop a site like www.cycletrader.com
Find a great deal, It is absolutely worth it.
At the border you should be able to get you taxes refunded.

[Malks]

I have bought parts mostly, some generic items, such as tires, clothing there are some savings, if spending several hundred dollars.

If you are just looking for a few items and the total is less than your $400.00 duty free allowance, why not stay two days and make a vacation of it?  A few days ago I checked the Canada Customs site and apparently there is no duty on motorcycle tires.  I am about to order a front tire for my ST from the States because it is better than half price in the US.  Even with shipping it should be a better deal than any dealer up here.

Malks

[GooseMan]

Theres no duty on motorcycles? I was under the impression that the 6.1% duty rate was for "passenger vehicles" built outside the USA

I know I paid that duty on my Subaru last year

[bubba zanetti]

Tires ... motorcycle tires. No duty just PST and GST.

Try here for two tire specials

http://www.tireexpress.com/category.cfm?Category=1244

or for more selection

http://www.americanmototire.com/

[ToadRide]

I told the guy at the shop I was from Vic. He gave me the the price and said "plus tax". And like I said, the border dude said if it was made in Japan, there would be duty. But why the GST and PST on something you have already purchased?

[highside]

Theres no duty on motorcycles? I was under the impression that the 6.1% duty rate was for "passenger vehicles" built outside the USA

I know I paid that duty on my Subaru last year

He's buying a generator.

[GooseMan]

I was responding to a post about motorcycle tires. For some reason, I didnt see the word "tires"  

[andreychuk]

Go to  www.RIV.ca , its the Registrar of Imported Vehicles.
go through the links, although my BMW was made in Germany, it falls through the cracks.
Might work for oriental bikes as well.

[ToadRide]

It may have been a generator but I will soon be looking for a bike deal out of the States if all the numbers line up right.

[Global Rider]

It's made in Japan so duty counts. 6 to 10% there, depending. And here's the kicker. After purchase and paying US tax, I get to the border and will be charged GST and PST on the whole shebang! Savings out the window. Is this the same with bikes? I mean, if you are going for a bike that is two grand cheaper in the States, doesn't all this crap pretty well eat up your savings.

If you are buying a generator, I'm assuming its a big-ticket item, not a couple hundred $$$. So you should be able to save a bundle.

Browse the internet for discount outfits and make your purchase out of state (not WA, so no tax) and have it shipped to a The UPS Store down in WA for pick-up. Have you checked Northern Tools? http://www.northerntool.com

You pay PST & GST on the Canadian value of the goods only (not on the shipping). That would also be on the duty, if applicable.

I saved 42.3% by ordering my OEM Honda car parts from a Honda dealer the US that discounts 30% off MSRP...and that was after all was said and done. I saved $616 on what would have cost me $1456 up here.