Crossing the Canadian Border with Jewelry

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raiderbuck

Senior Member

1,623 posts
Dec 10, 2014 8:54 AM
So, my friend just got engaged. His fiance is a Canadian citizen. After their engagement, she attempted to cross back over to Canada however she was stopped by the border patrol. They noticed her ring, and upon questioning her about it, they informed her that she would have to pay a 13% duty tax for the ring. I've never heard of such a thing? It was a gift from her boyfriend (obviously) but they weren't buying it. Anyone ever have or heard of this kind of thing? I mean, I've heard of duty fees but I've never seen it enforced on gifts. Especially engagement rings.

Ultimately, she gave the ring to a friend to take back over the border.
Dec 10, 2014 8:54am
FatHobbit's avatar

FatHobbit

Senior Member

8,651 posts
Dec 10, 2014 9:50 AM
Wow, that's some bad luck. (How the hell did they know she didn't bring it with her from Canada?) I know when you leave the US you're allowed to bring back a certain amount tax free. ($400 maybe? ) I assume it's the same in Canada.

Did she turn around then when they asked for the tax? (How did giving it to her friend get her out of it)
Dec 10, 2014 9:50am
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ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Dec 10, 2014 10:44 AM
Ghey
Dec 10, 2014 10:44am
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sportchampps

Senior Member

7,361 posts
Dec 10, 2014 10:49 AM
FedEx with insurance
Dec 10, 2014 10:49am
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TedSheckler

Emporium Entrepreneur

3,974 posts
Dec 10, 2014 10:50 AM
Put it in your pocket and go across the border.
Dec 10, 2014 10:50am
salto's avatar

salto

Senior Member

2,611 posts
Dec 10, 2014 11:53 AM
[video=youtube;0BoO3_5tU8A][/video]
Dec 10, 2014 11:53am
salto's avatar

salto

Senior Member

2,611 posts
Dec 10, 2014 11:54 AM
sportchampps;1684815 wrote:FedEx with insurance
Even better if you use UPS.
Dec 10, 2014 11:54am
R

raiderbuck

Senior Member

1,623 posts
Dec 10, 2014 12:06 PM
FatHobbit;1684800 wrote:Wow, that's some bad luck. (How the hell did they know she didn't bring it with her from Canada?) I know when you leave the US you're allowed to bring back a certain amount tax free. ($400 maybe? ) I assume it's the same in Canada.

Did she turn around then when they asked for the tax? (How did giving it to her friend get her out of it)
I don't know how they found out. My guess is that they probably asked people in the car if they were returning home (to Canada) with anything and she blabbed that she got engaged. Even still, it seems odd that they would then go "Oh congratulations! Now pay us 13%."

She turned around and stayed at a friend's place in Detroit for the night. Luckily, she had a friend who lives in Canada come back over the border and get the ring. I think they just hid it in a coat pocket or something.
Dec 10, 2014 12:06pm
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Old Rider

Senior Member

2,470 posts
Dec 10, 2014 1:52 PM
We used to go to Canada and drink in the bars when we were in high school. One trip we got stopped when entering and they went thru our entire car looking for drugs and shit. We had nothing on us or in the car, but they proceeded to trash my buddies car. Took everything out of the car and put it on the road, hood, etc. Upon finding NOTHING...they told us to be on our way. It took an hour just to cram shit back into the car and get moving. CANADA SUCKS!!!
Dec 10, 2014 1:52pm