View Full Version : shipping to Canada and duties
So I have a buddy in the USA that wanted to send me some cigars as a gift. :tu
Which is pretty sweet since cigars are so bloody epensive up north due to the exorbitant tax (I guess we have to pay for the healthcare system somehow). :hn
I wanted to ask the brothers of the jungle if there is any method of shipping them so that I will not get slapped across the face with a massive import duty on gifted cigars. Anybody how how they should be labeled or shipped?
Thanks in advance.
mo
coryj
08-21-2007, 03:21 PM
They could be labeled as a gift worth $10. Maybe he could use the ebay trick and write "cigar bands" as the contents... I don't condone doing any of this though, as it is illegal to falsify a customs form.
Darrell
08-21-2007, 03:23 PM
They should be labeled as a gift worth $10. Maybe he could use the ebay trick and write "cigar bands" as the contents...
That's a great idea, but what happens when Customs opens the box and finds sticks in there, not just bands? What kind of trouble could each party involved find themselves in? I don't know, so I am curious.
Headcrash
08-21-2007, 03:28 PM
PM sent
coryj
08-21-2007, 03:28 PM
That's a great idea, but what happens when Customs opens the box and finds sticks in there, not just bands? What kind of trouble could each party involved find themselves in? I don't know, so I am curious.
I think the consequences would be him paying more taxes. Its a tricky (morally) situation... You could always try to hide them by wrapping something else around them (for example, list "T-shirts" on the package and put 1-2 shirts around the cigars... they probably wont tear the whole package apart even if they open it), really depends how shady you want to be about it.
Obviously, I don't condone doing any of this...
K Baz
08-21-2007, 03:36 PM
I have recieved items form the US labelled as cigars however the shipper was kind enough to mark them as a gift with a value of $ 10.00 as such I did not pay a cent.
Usually, and I believe, taxes are percentages of the value of the item if the item is of low or no value usually they don't bother collecting the tax.
Now if they ship you 7 boxes I dount they will believe the value is $ 10.00 but if its 5 sticks it is possible.
Old Sailor
08-21-2007, 04:03 PM
I think Headcrash has it covered by a PM....Well done Alex.
ps...mark it anything but cigar related or it will be opened.
K Baz
08-21-2007, 04:09 PM
I think Headcrash has it covered by a PM....Well done Alex.
ps...mark it anything but cigar related or it will be opened.
But he's a Lions fan.....
Headcrash
08-21-2007, 04:16 PM
But he's a Lions fan.....
That's part of what makes me so awesome! :ss
Sorry for the thread Jack :tu
Syekick
08-21-2007, 04:18 PM
ps...mark it anything but cigar related or it will be opened.
Let me repeat that to myself ten times until all becomes clear....
:confused:
RHNewfie
08-21-2007, 04:19 PM
Let me repeat that to myself ten times until all becomes clear....
:confused:
I have had a pack marked cigars come unopened... but still not a good idea!!
Thanks for all the help guys. I should have mentioned that the best way to respond would be by pm.
I was just curious as I have had retail packages arrive which miraculously made it through the line of fire unscathed. Thanks for all the help.
squid
08-21-2007, 11:11 PM
I think Headcrash has it covered by a PM....Well done Alex.
ps...mark it anything but cigar related or it will be opened.
Damn!!!
Old Sailor
08-21-2007, 11:19 PM
Damn!!!
:r:r:chk:chk
japhi
04-09-2008, 04:30 PM
Hate to bump old threads but I couldn't find any more info via a search...
My questios is: If a box from the states is opened, what percentage of duties are applied? Let's say I buy $100 in smokes from the US - can anyone tell me from experience what the approximate duty fee would be?
I have heard it can be as much as 300% (yes, three hundred). :hn
Old Sailor
04-09-2008, 04:50 PM
I have heard it can be as much as 300% (yes, three hundred). :hn
Sorry Bear but it's up to 700%:hn:hn
Headcrash
04-09-2008, 05:11 PM
Sorry Bear but it's up to 700%:hn:hn
Is it really? What the hell! That is insane. Did it just go up?
shaggy
04-09-2008, 05:15 PM
Hate to bump old threads but I couldn't find any more info via a search...
My questios is: If a box from the states is opened, what percentage of duties are applied? Let's say I buy $100 in smokes from the US - can anyone tell me from experience what the approximate duty fee would be?
average of 15 bucks a stick
the nub
04-09-2008, 05:25 PM
If there isn't a receipt enclosed, they assess a value to the contents. For BC it's approximately 200% of the assessed value. That cost includes, GST, PST, duty and excise and handling fee. The formula is very convoluted.
If they assess the contents at $4/stick for a box of 25 you can expect to pay roughly $200.
Cadillac
04-09-2008, 05:39 PM
Hi Japhi,
As per above, if you have ?'s related to this topic, it's probably better to pm a Canadian member. But I have contacted our gov't officials myself on this matter, and they have informed me that tobacco products are in fact taxed at a rate of 700%.
Hate to bump old threads but I couldn't find any more info via a search...
My questios is: If a box from the states is opened, what percentage of duties are applied? Let's say I buy $100 in smokes from the US - can anyone tell me from experience what the approximate duty fee would be?
I don't know about "cigars" but I have sent "t-shirt" gifts to Canada.
weak_link
04-09-2008, 06:10 PM
I don't know about "cigars" but I have sent "t-shirt" gifts to Canada.
Yeah, thanks to the chat I know to send "books" up North.:tu
japhi
04-09-2008, 06:33 PM
Wow, 700% is insane. Sure takes the 'deal' out of good deal.
Cadillac - I'll follow your advice and keep my questions to PM.
Habsrule29
04-09-2008, 09:04 PM
average of 15 bucks a stick
You know that from personal experience Shaggy?? :D
(inside joke)
Mtmouse
04-09-2008, 10:48 PM
You know that from personal experience Shaggy?? :D
(inside joke)
That hurts........:D
The Postman
04-09-2008, 11:33 PM
Its not quite that bad, but it can take the sting out of a good purchase. The way I look at it, you are just paying what it takes to keep the customs guys employed, and they need jobs too. :):)
dantzig
04-09-2008, 11:43 PM
I don't know about "cigars" but I have sent "t-shirt" gifts to Canada.
Me too and since I can't bring myself to lie too much, I've always actually sent a t-shirt :r
weetone
04-10-2008, 01:21 AM
Good advice on keeping it to PMs. Personally, my t-shirts have come through unscathed ;)
japhi
04-10-2008, 11:43 AM
You know that from personal experience Shaggy?? :D
(inside joke)
Nice to see another Habs fan!
Big game tonight, hopefully we put the boots to those stinkin Bruins.
skiman5
04-10-2008, 07:36 PM
Good advice on keeping it to PMs. Personally, my t-shirts have come through unscathed ;)
Coincidentally I've been planning my first online t-shirt purchase. After seeing the number 700% bandied about, should I think twice or still pull the trigger? Any advice on the PM would be appreciated.
smellyfeet
04-11-2008, 08:43 PM
A few years ago, i ordered a box of cigars from the US. The cost of the cigars was $56 and shipping was $27, Customs charged me $187 for duties/taxes. I paid the customs charge since the brand was not available locally and if it was it would be $5-$6 more per stick anyways if i purchased it from my neighborhood B&M., so i saved a bit overall. Peace.
rborrell
04-12-2008, 10:30 AM
Coincidentally I've been planning my first online t-shirt purchase. After seeing the number 700% bandied about, should I think twice or still pull the trigger? Any advice on the PM would be appreciated.
You might check out this thread....
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=74525
skiman5
04-12-2008, 11:46 AM
A few years ago, i ordered a box of cigars from the US. The cost of the cigars was $56 and shipping was $27, Customs charged me $187 for duties/taxes. I paid the customs charge since the brand was not available locally and if it was it would be $5-$6 more per stick anyways if i purchased it from my neighborhood B&M., so i saved a bit overall. Peace.
Thanks Guys--I think I'll give it a shot.
tccigar
04-12-2008, 11:52 AM
We ship to Canada.
Rob
str8edg
04-12-2008, 11:55 AM
We ship to Canada.
Rob
You will not be disappointed with Rob's service or prices!!
SilverFox
04-12-2008, 12:03 PM
Taboo is top shelf Rob is one of the best. There are other threads about this somewhere but the 3 I highly recommend are
Tabboo
Kioki
Atlantic
For accessories it is CigarMony all the way
they all ship to Canada.
As for Duties you are responsible for any duties that are assessed on your purchases from abroad whether Tobacco or not.
weetone
04-12-2008, 06:01 PM
Under NAFTA, if said 't-shirt' is made in the US, there aren't any duties.
Glacierman
04-12-2008, 10:57 PM
One of my hobbies of long-standing is the study of butterflies. I have sent dried butterflies to other collectors in the US and Canada for many years. In addition to the customs label, I have these nice, official-looking labels that say in bright red letters: DRIED INSECTS FOR SCIENTIFIC STUDY. NO COMMERCIAL VALUE.
There was once a Canadian BOTL who received a package of butterflies from me one December.......
One of my hobbies of long-standing is the study of butterflies. I have sent dried butterflies to other collectors in the US and Canada for many years. In addition to the customs label, I have these nice, official-looking labels that say in bright red letters: DRIED INSECTS FOR SCIENTIFIC STUDY. NO COMMERCIAL VALUE.
There was once a Canadian BOTL who received a package of butterflies from me one December.......
Since there may have been tobacco beetles in there, I guess this could be technically correct. :tu
smellyfeet
04-16-2008, 10:23 PM
This is a bit off topic, but if you have a friend or relative who is a US citizen who comes to visit Canada. If they bring cigars with them and tell Canada Customs its for their own personal use will they still have to pay tax/duty? If they don't what would be the limit as to how many cigars they can bring over without paying tax/duty? Anyone know or have actually tried this.
mathil
04-16-2008, 10:28 PM
This is a bit off topic, but if you have a friend or relative who is a US citizen who comes to visit Canada. If they bring cigars with them and tell Canada Customs its for their own personal use will they still have to pay tax/duty? If they don't what would be the limit as to how many cigars they can bring over without paying tax/duty? Anyone know or have actually tried this.
I know for fact that when you come back from Cuba, to Canada you're allowed a certain amount of unclaimed merchandise. Among that is 100 cigars. If you can do that from Cuba, I don't see why you couldn't from the USA.
weetone
04-17-2008, 01:05 AM
Yeah, that sounds right to me. If they're driving, I'd just let the customs people know I've got a couple cigars. Airport might be a different story cause they may search/trash/burn/throw into the forest your stuff.
The last time I drove through Canadian customs we didn't even have to slow down...so, maybe it depends...
mathil
04-17-2008, 01:24 AM
Well, any day my shipment from taboo will be arriving, along with kioki's awesome "welcome to the jungle" gift. If I don't get hit with 700$ in duties those two can be sure they'll have my business!
smellyfeet
04-17-2008, 01:49 AM
Yeah, that sounds right to me. If they're driving, I'd just let the customs people know I've got a couple cigars. Airport might be a different story cause they may search/trash/burn/throw into the forest your stuff.
The last time I drove through Canadian customs we didn't even have to slow down...so, maybe it depends...
Sorry i should clarify my previous post. Your American friends or relatives bring with them a box or 2 boxes of cigars with them to their visit to Canada an say its for their own personal use, when in fact they are bringing in the boxes of cigars for YOU, so you can avoid any taxes/duties. I wanted to know if Canada CUstom would get suspicious and charge your friends/relatives taxes/duties for the cigars anyway or Canada Customs had no solid legal proof that those cigars are being brought in for a canadian, so they would allow your friends/relatives with the stogies to cross without charging any taxes/duties?
SSmith
04-17-2008, 10:32 AM
Sorry i should clarify my previous post. Your American friends or relatives bring with them a box or 2 boxes of cigars with them to their visit to Canada an say its for their own personal use, when in fact they are bringing in the boxes of cigars for YOU, so you can avoid any taxes/duties. I wanted to know if Canada CUstom would get suspicious and charge your friends/relatives taxes/duties for the cigars anyway or Canada Customs had no solid legal proof that those cigars are being brought in for a canadian, so they would allow your friends/relatives with the stogies to cross without charging any taxes/duties?
Based on my experience with driving through customs, I'd say they wouldn't care one iota. Unless you get someone on a bad day.