Buying Tools From Canada

[Jim Young]

I am considering buying a used tool from a private seller, then taking the tool home to the US. Is there any kind of restriction? Would I have to pay import taxes? Has anyone here done this yet?

[Sandy Masquith]

Jim, I'm pretty sure there wouldn't be any taxes on it. The fine people that man the borders will probably ask you if you have anything to declare. As far as personal sales of individual pieces, the tax people don't really police those transactions (too much work for the payback would be my guess on why). For declaration purposes, unless it's fruit, meat, or plant that may carry unwanted insects I don't even think you need to declare the product.

You'll want to check that...I'm sure there's a website for just such an activity somewhere!!

[Matt Meiser]

Jim, you could try calling the customs folks. Several years ago when I travelled to England I called to ask about taking a laptop (back in the "old days" when EVERYONE didn't have them.) They were very helpful. The office I called was at Metro.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

I am considering buying a used tool from a private seller, then taking the tool home to the US. Is there any kind of restriction? Would I have to pay import taxes? Has anyone here done this yet?

Ha Ha Ha Ha. I used to get stopped comming back to the USA at the border all the time.
They'd demand that I have the bill of sale for the car I was driving. Often it was out of the car for a quick tour of every noock and cranney of the thing.

Apparantly people steal cars in canada and sell 'em in the USA.

Might want to have all your paperwork including copies of the for sale ad with you.

[Matt Meiser]

Things seem to be a little more lax here since we can pop across the border for a meal, shopping, or the casino and be back in a few hours. I just remembered that the guy who bought my first tablesaw came over from Canada to get it. I don't recall creating a bill of sale and he paid me in cash (USD). He came after dinner and went straight home so I don't think there was anything special he had to do.

[Lee Schierer]

I bought my bandsaw in Canada and other than stopping to get back the GST and PST the canadians don't check you leaving the country. The guy at the US border basically waved us through. He asked if we bought any thing, I told him a bandsaw and the price and he said; "have a nice Day". You are allowed a certain dollar value of purchases per day for personal use. As long as it isn't alive you shouldn't have a problem. You might want to make sure you blow it out well so there isn't a lot of sawdust that might habor insects. A Bill of sale would be handy if the borber guy feels like being a PITA, just to prove you didn't steal it.

[Chris Damm]

Just make sure you've got your passport.

[Glenn Clabo]

Take a look at this Jim...
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va.../duty_free.xml