Trading a cab across the US/Canada border... What should I expect?

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 08-27-2011, 03:21 PM

So tomorrow night I am going down to WA state to trade a bass cab with a US TBer. I will be bringing my cab down, do the trade, and then bring his (now mine) cab back up to Canada. No money will be exchanging hands as this will be a straight across trade.

What can I expect at the border? I think its likely that they will ask me to park my car and come into their building for a chat. I intend to tell 100% the truth, but even so a part of me thinks they might think I am trying to pull some cross border scam as its a bit of an unusual situation.

I've emptied my practice amp and mic stand out of my trunk to try to help prevent them from thinking I might be doing a gig in the US.

Also, are they going to make me pay duty on the cab even though no exchange of cash is happening?

I am expecting a delay at the border and will bring a book with me in case they make me wait for an hour or more for 'processing'.

Maybe I am overthinking this whole thing and it will be no big deal?

Any ideas as to what I should expect?

Jimbob Jones · #2 08-27-2011, 03:25 PM

Complementary maple syrup?

I'd certainly expect that.

MakiSupaStar · #3 08-27-2011, 04:22 PM

I'd say one of two things will happen.

One of them will snap his fingers and say 'Smokes!' at which point you should comply, give him a smoke, offer him some chicken fingers, ask him about his friend 'Julian', and then talk about hockey. Hopefully if you're luckly, he'll grant you with a little nugget of wisdom based on the metaphor of '****'. As in '****seeds, Randy! ****seeds never fall far from the ****tree. He might also call you Randy.

OR

He might ask you what you're all nervous 'aboot'.

shawn-o · #4 08-27-2011, 04:28 PM

Ive brought afew Cabs, Heads and even basses accross the boarder. Its cheaper (and less of a hassle) for me to ship things to ND then drive down and get them, as opposed to getting it shipped to my door.

Be sure to have your documentation printed out, with it clearly stating that it is a Straight trade with no exchange of cash. Also ensure that you have the contact information of the TB'er that you're doing the trade with, as they may want to phone and verify. Clean our the car forsure and you shouldnt have any issues.

In my experience, I have NEVER had a problem crossing the boarder going into the USA. In the past year, Ive probably made 5 or 6 trips to pick up Jeep parts, PA equipment ect. I have had problems with the Canadian side on afew ocassions, as it seems as they are more concerned with collecting taxes and any applicable duty fees than actually checking my passport (seriously... I have crossed and the CBSA officer said "Hi, Whats the value of goods being brought across"... I replied with "700". He then said "come inside with your reciept". I asked if he wanted me to bring my passport and he replied with "no, its fine".

Good Luck!

Balog · #5 08-29-2011, 12:04 AM

Good doing business with you man, hope you weren't hassled on the way back in.

::::BASSIST:::: · #6 08-29-2011, 01:54 AM

Hi John,

Likewise, it was good meeting you. I had to wait 2.5hrs getting back into Canada, but I should of thought of that as it was a Sunday night and border line-ups are notoriously long at that time. The good news is I didnt have to pay a dime in duties and they asked for no paper work.

Ziltoid · #7 08-29-2011, 04:42 AM

Pretty cool, eh.

Balog · #8 08-29-2011, 08:54 AM

Excellent, I'd have felt bad if you'd gotten hit with fees for a straight up trade. Let me know how it works out for you, I'm digging the nearful already.

MJ5150 · #9 08-29-2011, 09:24 AM

What did you give up for the nearful? Specs on the nearful?

-Mike

Balog · #10 08-29-2011, 11:15 AM

I traded a 12/6 built by Passinwind http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f127/f...p-here-718395/

for this LDS nEARful 15/6 LDS 15/6 *NEARFUL* with 3015LF and 18Sound 6.5 -44LBS -VERY loud & thunderous!

It works out pretty well for me, I looooooove that 12/6 and it's gorgeous, but it was pretty heavy with that crazy thick plywood. I've been wanting a 15/6 for a while, and if Eminence is really not gonna be making the Kapplites anymore I wanted to get one while I could. Money is tight so I can't buy one, but this just worked out perfectly. And Torin is an awesome guy to work with so I'm glad the old girl is going to a home she'll be appreciated at.

::::BASSIST:::: · #11 08-29-2011, 11:20 AM

I received a fEARful spec'd 12/6 built by Passinwind with his crossover and Balog received an LDS 15/6 with the 3015LF, 18Sound mid, Ralph Patterson crossover, 44LBS, 22x23x18 dimensions.

And yeah the 12/6 is 62LBS... 18LBS heavier than the LDS 15/6 even though its a much smaller cab. But its built like a tank and gorgeous. Eventually, I will replace the box with a lighter one and just swap the components over. To build the whole thing myself would have cost over $700 using a flatpack and to have one built for me is around $900 plus probably another $100 for shipping.

I'm happy with the trade and yeah, John's a great guy too.