I am planning buy a laptop worth about $1000 dollars on my next trip to the USA. I will be staying in USA for more 48 hours so I am eligible to bring goods upto $800 tax free.

If I bring in a $1000 dollar laptop after 48 hours, how do Canada customs charge the tax?
Do they charge on the whole value of the laptop or do they charge on the value of the laptop that is beyond the $800 limit (i.e do they tax only on $200)?

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Originally posted by brown_bear


I am planning buy a laptop worth about $1000 dollars on my next trip to the USA. I will be staying in USA for more 48 hours so I am eligible to bring goods upto $800 tax free.

If I bring in a $1000 dollar laptop after 48 hours, how do Canada customs charge the tax?
Do they charge on the whole value of the laptop or do they charge on the value of the laptop that is beyond the $800 limit (i.e do they tax only on $200)?

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Pramod Chopra
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Mortgage Alliance Company of Canada

Or, just unwrap it, house it in a laptop bag, and show it as accompanied but not bought in States. People carry with them their laptops all the time. I carry my work laptop when visit States and on my return if being asked, tell them it's mine and carry it everywhere.

Your choice.

Febpreet !
Good one !

My experience of having been to the USA numerous times is that they first check only the trunk. If there is nothing in the trunk that was bought then they donot check the inside.
As Febpreet said, laptops are a necessity these days, not only for work, but even for using the internet the hotels that you stay in that it is not considered a dutiable item anymore.

All the best.

Peace

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

Thanks to all who replied.

I myself did a little more research on this item and here is what I found.

I will be charged GST+PST on the $200. (The first $800 will be duty free)
. That will be about $30

In addition canada customs can charge the duty on the laptop if it is not made in USA (which is very much possible)

The serial numbers of electronic items sold in USA/Canada are unique and hence Canada customs can easily determine (if they check) if the item was made in USA or Canada

When we pay tax (and duty if applicable) we can ask for a Y38 card - a credit card size card that serves as a proof that we paid the taxes and duties on the electronic item with an US serial number so that in subsequent visits out of Canada there won't be any issues carrying this laptop back into Canada.

Will Canada customs check if its an US made laptop?
Most probably not. But if they do check and if they catch us red handed we will have to pay fine and of course the infraction will be recorded in their database which may trigger more secondary inspections in our future trips into Canada

Canada Customs Importing a Laptop

Quote:

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Originally posted by brown_bear


I am planning buy a laptop worth about $1000 dollars on my next trip to the USA. I will be staying in USA for more 48 hours so I am eligible to bring goods upto $800 tax free.

If I bring in a $1000 dollar laptop after 48 hours, how do Canada customs charge the tax?
Do they charge on the whole value of the laptop or do they charge on the value of the laptop that is beyond the $800 limit (i.e do they tax only on $200)?

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