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Bringing an amp cross border.

J

JeffC

Mar 8, 2007
270
0
#1
I am in Toronto and may be buying a used ampeg combo amp in buffalo. What is the best way for me to take it across the border? Should I get the current owner to bring it across or if I go get it will I get hassled on my way out.

Please help, I don't want to pass up this deal.

Thanks
 
#2
You don't want to pay import duties do you? ;)

If you go and get it I think you may be allowed to bring it in legally if you stay more than 24 hours depending on the units value. People from TO have been shopping cross border for ages. However why not just ship it FedEx? Not UPS, they will rip you off on paperwork!! By the time you factor in gas, time, wear and tear it could well add up to more than the shipping + import duties.

Paul
 
#5
Jaco D said:
A neighbor recently brought-in a used washing machine bought from a garage sale while visiting a relative in Michigan. The guy didn't pay taxes on the purchase when he crossed the border.

Don't know if this is applicable, but hope it helps.
Click to expand...

I think it depends on the value of the purchase. You're allowed a certain exemption of a lower amount if you just cross for the day, more if you stay over 24 hours. Check with Canada Customs and they'll tell you all about it.
 
#6
As it's used, tell them you took it with you to play a gig and you're just bringing it back. Take a bass to complete the story. Not sure if it'll work, but worth a try.
 
#7
A9X said:
As it's used, tell them you took it with you to play a gig and you're just bringing it back. Take a bass to complete the story. Not sure if it'll work, but worth a try.
Click to expand...

Don't do it! It's illegal. If you get caught the fines and possible loss of the gear and even your vehicle aren't worth it.

Then you've got the problem of crossing into the USA with a bass and what do you tell those guys? They'll want to know if you're going to play a gig in the states. Without a permit you can't.

I've crossed the border many times to play in the USA and back into Canada at the end of a tour over dozens of years. It's always best to be on the up and up.
 
#8
If it is a USA made model you will likely just pay PST if you are not out of Canada overnight.

If it is a new far east Ampeg.... bend over.... unless you have been in the US for a couple of nights. There will be mucho duties if you just drive across and bring the amp back same day..
 
#9
62bass said:
Don't do it! It's illegal. If you get caught the fines and possible loss of the gear and even your vehicle aren't worth it.

Then you've got the problem of crossing into the USA with a bass and what do you tell those guys? They'll want to know if you're going to play a gig in the states. Without a permit you can't.

I've crossed the border many times to play in the USA and back into Canada at the end of a tour over dozens of years. It's always best to be on the up and up.
Click to expand...
Fair enough and good advice. I can't drive across borders as my car doesn't work underwater.
 
#10
62bass said:
Don't do it! It's illegal. If you get caught the fines and possible loss of the gear and even your vehicle aren't worth it.

Then you've got the problem of crossing into the USA with a bass and what do you tell those guys? They'll want to know if you're going to play a gig in the states. Without a permit you can't.

I've crossed the border many times to play in the USA and back into Canada at the end of a tour over dozens of years. It's always best to be on the up and up.
Click to expand...

While I do agree that it's ideal to keep things above board, wouldn't it be best to be demoing the amp with a familiar bass before laying down the cash?

Just explain everything when you cross the border and be sure to check the bass into the US (there is paperwork you can get - same for most valuables) so they don't hassle you on the way back. If you're returning same day, you will have to pay tax on the value of the amp - if you don't have a recipt, you will pay on whatever value they assess the amp to have. If you stay, there is a schedule of purchase amounts that you are allowed to bring back without extra charges on top, depending on the length of your stay. First related Google hit: (http://www.gonorthwest.com/Visitor/planning/border/goods_ca.htm) says 50$ cdn for same day, up to 750$ cdn for a week's stay - I'm not entirely clear on whether this means tax exempt, or duty exempt.
 
#11
There's free trade between Canada and the US. If it's made in the states no duty but you'll need a bill of sale
and you'll have to pay gst and pst. on the Canadian side.
Ampegs a US. company so you should be ok.

Not sure about used stuff as far as duty on foreign imports
but if it's used somebody paid duty somewhere and they still
have to knock off the day rate .
Phone Canada customs and ask them what duty on the total price is .
And get the seller to give you a low bill of sale but nothing
to crazy .

Also Canadian Money is worth about abuck six US. right now so go for it.

Hope this helps B.
 
#12
About 4 years ago I brought a large rented PA to Canada for a weekend volunteer gig (no pay), in a borrowed panel truck. I brought a whole bunch more stuff back for a buddy who had been up there most of the summer, items included a 'rocket cycle', -ha-ha!, this crazy scooter thing with a huge old fire extinguisher attached to it so you could make fog as you rode around, -I'm laughing out loud just thinking about that thing. The border guys didn't hassle us at all, I think they just didn't want to know what was going on. But, that was a different time.
I'll bet there's some value that's exempted, you'll want to call around and find out what is duty-free.
 
#14
bleedingfingers said:
There's free trade between Canada and the US. If it's made in the states no duty but you'll need a bill of sale
and you'll have to pay gst and pst. on the Canadian side.
Ampegs a US. company so you should be ok.

Not sure about used stuff as far as duty on foreign imports
but if it's used somebody paid duty somewhere and they still
have to knock off the day rate .
Phone Canada customs and ask them what duty on the total price is .
And get the seller to give you a low bill of sale but nothing
to crazy .

Also Canadian Money is worth about abuck six US. right now so go for it.

Hope this helps B.
Click to expand...

May be there IS free trade but that has never stopped Canada Customs from charging GST and HST on everything I have brought in.

Paul
 
#15
From my experience, legally buying from the US is never quite the same. I've had hundreds of dollars in duty, broker, gst and pst charges on some purchases, and nothing on others. In general, UPS are more expensive in their brokerage fees, and USPS and Canada post are the least expensive. Wish I could help, but I never get the exact same fees on US purchases.

Example 1 : Used power amp and preamp, 200.00$+ in duty, etc.... UPS

Example 2 : New DMX dimmer pack, 0$ in fees, Fed Ex or Purolator (Can't remember)
 
#16
Yeah, I've had the same experience. Got a Ampeg B2R shipped from the States... big, heavy package... no duty, taxes, nothing. And then I buy small items like CDs or some parts from Stewmac and get dinged with taxes. You'd think they'd open the box marked "Bass Amp" with a declared value of $250... not the $40 package... they'd get more from me that way...
 

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