Shipping poker chips to Canada (1 Viewer)

[Chiphuntr]

I’m looking for some feed back. I’ve just had some chips shipped to Canada from the US, I’m grateful for the help of a new reshipper. I just want to make clear that this post has nothing to do with the service that was provided to me by my reshipper, which was exceptional on all levels.

My question has to do with dirties and taxes. I was under the impression that gaming tokens, poker chips, were exempt from duty and tax. Seldom have I ever paid it. Is it because I declared a value and insured the package or is it the luck of the draw?
I had the package marked “ obsolete gaming tokens “ and that has always worked since I wax told to try it.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Are smaller packages better? I know it costs more with smaller packages.

Thanks

 

[ReallyGoodUsername]

@Gear @Jeevansluck ?

 

[CdnBeerLover]

If you haven't reviewed the "Import By Mail" information from CBSA (https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/personal-personnel/postal-postale-eng.html), it is worth a review, especially https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/courier/menu-eng.html.

 

[philhut]

I’m looking for some feed back. I’ve just had some chips shipped to Canada from the US, I’m grateful for the help of a new reshipper. I just want to make clear that this post has nothing to do with the service that was provided to me by my reshipper, which was exceptional on all levels.

My question has to do with dirties and taxes. I was under the impression that gaming tokens, poker chips, were exempt from duty and tax. Seldom have I ever paid it. Is it because I declared a value and insured the package or is it the luck of the draw?
I had the package marked “ obsolete gaming tokens “ and that has always worked since I wax told to try it.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Are smaller packages better? I know it costs more with smaller packages.

Thanks

In my recent experience the magic $ number is <$50 value....so $49.99 or less will see you most likely avoid duties. It is also possible that the boarder can arbitrarily set a value (you can and should dispute this).

Several thousand chips received at once, value below $50 and no duties. Be sure to ask your seller to lower the value....as for insurance? Dont worry you have very little once your package crosses the border out of the hands of the original courier.

 

[joker80]

There should be no duty from poker chips from the usa due to NAFTA agreements. There may be duty on those from China though. There will be GST and PST on most purchases over 100$, but that depends. Sometimes packages through Fedex or UPS will get dinged. A lot of parcels via USPS slip through

 

[allforcharity]

Nothing is exempt from tax. Chips that were manufactured in the USA (and Mexico) should fall under NAFTA/USMCA for duty-free status.
If I declare a value of $200 or less then it's usually not worth the paperwork even to charge me tax (PST+GST or HST).

 

[Mesnik44]

I went through with $1500.00 worth of Tina mold, and was charged $172.00 for taxes.

 

[philhut]

Nothing is exempt from tax. Chips that were manufactured in the USA (and Mexico) should fall under NAFTA/USMCA for duty-free status.
If I declare a value of $200 or less then it's usually not worth the paperwork even to charge me tax (PST+GST or HST).

There should be no duty from poker chips from the usa due to NAFTA agreements. There may be duty on those from China though. There will be GST and PST on most purchases over 100$, but that depends. Sometimes packages through Fedex or UPS will get dinged. A lot of parcels via USPS slip through

clarifying what I wrote above. regarding fees paid on good shipped to Canada .
As a private consumer in Canada there are limits to NAFTA, though chips should be covered and excluded from additional duties. However taxes added also include GST 7% or the HST 13%. Chips bought from Thechiproom for example for $500 USD will be taxed 13% on the CAD $ exchange . taxes are not imposed generally on items worth less than $50.

 

[ChippinUp]

Canadian chipper here. I have paid duty on every transaction from both this site and Br Pro.

Duties can also vary based on the courier. UPS charges more than USPS for example.

On my purchase of about 800CDN(shipping included) and duty was around $100.

 

[ChippinUp]

Sorry once exception would be dealer buttons I purchased and sample sets all of which are under the $50 mentioned above

 

[Stufflymcstuff]

its hit or miss for me - ive gotten pinged for $200 purchases, and had $500 packages fly under the radar.

 

[allforcharity]

Canadian chipper here. I have paid duty on every transaction from both this site and Br Pro.

Duties can also vary based on the courier. UPS charges more than USPS for example.

On my purchase of about 800CDN(shipping included) and duty was around $100.

Are you sure it was duty? It wasn't PST + GST? I have never paid duty on a single chip in 5 years, no matter how much or how little I've declared, both from mailing directly into Canada or pickup across the border.

USPS does not have the power to charge duties - that's a Canadian federal government matter. They can charge all manner of customs fees for the paperwork involved in clearing your package, but they aren't remitting a thing to CBSA.

 

[LotsOfChips]

There is a difference between Duties, Taxes and Brokerage/Handling Fees.

In my experience, using Fedex, UPS, Purolator, DHC, etc. will usually ensure that you pay full GST/PST/HST on any value shipment, plus usually a hefty Brokerage Fee on top (often >$70, regardless of declared value). Duty is not an issue for anything made in North America (thank you NAFTA), items originating elsewhere (and that means where they were made, not where they were shipped from) MAY be subject to duty, depending on how they are described and country of origin.

USPS/Canada Post seems to not charge GST/HST/PST on most items valued <$50-$200 (varies), although it could happen for anything >regulation exemption of $20. Canada Post never charges any brokerage fees in my experience. I believe that Canada Post (not USPS) will collect any taxes assessed by CBSA on their behalf when you pick up the parcel (they seem to hold it for pickup if taxes are owing).

If you live anywhere close to the border, find yourself a mail drop business and have stuff shipped there. Shipping charges to US addresses are a fraction of the cost to ship to Canada, and prices at stores and online retailers in US are usiually a fraction of the prices charged by the same retailers in Canada. Most US retailers offer free shipping to US destinations with a minimum purchase. Also there are no Brokerage Fees when using couriers within the US. The mail drop company will charge $4-5 for the service, which is a bargain when you compare the difference in retail cost, shipping, fees, etc.

The limit for walking or driving across after <24 hours away seems to depend on the mood of the agent, although <$200 seems to be the sweet spot for not being sent inside to the cashier (actual regulations are $0 exemption). With >24 hours away, $200 exemption applies, after >48 hours the limit jumps to $800. Again, the agent seems to have discretion to waive you through if you are not too outrageously above those limits. Smile, be polite and friendly, and have your receipts ready for inspection if asked.

I have stuff shipped to a mail drop at the border, and declared value for goods is supposed to include purchase price plus any taxes paid in the US (Amazon.com and many online retailers will charge state and local taxes based on shipping address), but not shipping charges.

All prices in CAD.

 

[allforcharity]

With >24 hours away, $200 exemption applies, after >48 hours the limit jumps to $800. Again, the agent seems to have discretion to waive you through if you are not too outrageously above those limits.

I thought it was
over 48h = $200 duty exempt
over 7 days = $800

 

[LotsOfChips]

I thought it was
over 48h = $200 duty exempt
over 7 days = $800

https://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/declare-eng.html#_s8b​

​

Absence of less than 24 hours​

• Personal exemptions do not apply to same-day cross-border shoppers.

Absence of more than 24 hours​

• You can claim goods worth up to CAN$200.
• Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are not included in this exemption.
• If the value of the goods you are bringing back exceeds CAN$200, you cannot claim this exemption. Instead, duty and taxes are applicable on the entire amount of the imported goods.
• Goods must be in your possession and reported at time of entry to Canada.
• A minimum absence of 24 hours from Canada is required. For example, if you left at 19:00 on Friday the 15th, you may return no earlier than 19:00 on Saturday the 16th to claim the exemption.

Absence of more than 48 hours​

• You can claim goods worth up to CAN$800.
• You may include alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, within the prescribed limits. Refer to sections Tobacco Products and Alcoholic Beverages.
• Goods must be in your possession and reported at time of entry to Canada.
• If the value of the goods you are bringing back exceeds CAN$800, duties and taxes are applicable only on amount of the imported goods that exceeds CAN$800.
• A minimum absence of 48 hours from Canada is required. For example, if you left at 19:00 on Friday the 15th, you may return no earlier than 19:00 on Sunday the 17th to claim the exemption.

Absence of more than 7 days​

• You can claim goods worth up to CAN$800.
• You must have tobacco products and alcoholic beverages in your possession when you enter Canada, but other goods may follow you by other means (such as courier or by post). However, all of the goods you are bringing back must be reported to the CBSA when you arrive. See Unaccompanied Goods section.
• A minimum absence of seven days is required. When calculating the number of days you have been absent, exclude the day you left Canada but include the day you returned. For example, we consider you to have been absent seven days if you left Canada on Friday the 7th and return no earlier than Friday the 14th to claim the exemption.

 

[Chiphuntr]

What I paid was taxes plus a handling charge.

 

[john derby]

Just to piggy back off this thread, I am planning on flying back to Canada (I work in the US, but Canadian citizen) and wanted to bring my chips over. The value of the whole set is about $1500 and obviously wanted to avoid paying taxes if I can. Do I have to fly them in parts to avoid taxes (I have multiple flights planned back and forth)? Some of the chips are paulson and are obsolete casino chips with denoms >$100 (about 40x$100, 20x$500) and would expect some hassle I guess?

 

[allforcharity]

Just to piggy back off this thread, I am planning on flying back to Canada (I work in the US, but Canadian citizen) and wanted to bring my chips over. The value of the whole set is about $1500 and obviously wanted to avoid paying taxes if I can. Do I have to fly them in parts to avoid taxes (I have multiple flights planned back and forth)? Some of the chips are paulson and are obsolete casino chips with denoms >$100 (about 40x$100, 20x$500) and would expect some hassle I guess?

Bring them back in lots of under $800 value each, and you should be good.

 

[doctorchips]

Bring them back in lots of under $800 value each, and you should be good.

This just demonstrates how insanely idiotic these rules are.

 

[philhut]

Just to piggy back off this thread, I am planning on flying back to Canada (I work in the US, but Canadian citizen) and wanted to bring my chips over. The value of the whole set is about $1500 and obviously wanted to avoid paying taxes if I can. Do I have to fly them in parts to avoid taxes (I have multiple flights planned back and forth)? Some of the chips are paulson and are obsolete casino chips with denoms >$100 (about 40x$100, 20x$500) and would expect some hassle I guess?

Do you have a receipt you want to show? As a Canadian who brought back some nice hsi from a trip in January. If asked you say you didnt think your $150 poker set was an issue....

On the US side of customs they opened the one of the white bricks in zip lock baggies.... didnt say anything about my bags on the Canadian side.

 

[4SUMERZ]

I try to avoid getting anything shipped to Canada using UPS, FedEx etc. If you can convince the seller to send by USPS, then you will avoid any brokerage or duty fees on most items.
I personally get any item from the US to be shipped to a US border town parcel business, which keep the parcels there for months and charge $3.00 per parcel when it's picked up. I have been doing this for 20 years.
I plan my 2-3 day trips to the US and pick up all my parcels at that time. Each person is allowed to claim $800.00 without having to pay taxes or duty.
I only live 1.5 hours from the border, so it is convenient for us.

 

[philhut]

I try to avoid getting anything shipped to Canada using UPS, FedEx etc. If you can convince the seller to send by USPS, then you will avoid any brokerage or duty fees on most items.
I personally get any item from the US to be shipped to a US border town parcel business, which keep the parcels there for months and charge $3.00 per parcel when it's picked up. I have been doing this for 20 years.
I plan my 2-3 day trips to the US and pick up all my parcels at that time. Each person is allowed to claim $800.00 without having to pay taxes or duty.
I only live 1.5 hours from the border, so it is convenient for us.

Agreed on this. With FedEx of the rate will be slightly lower than USPS, but as the recipient you will receive a brokerage bill in the mail after item receipt.