Purchasing from AD in Vancouver, Canada - Tax Refund?

[shakeb0x]

Hi everyone,

Need help with a potential purchase in Canada. I'm currently here visiting from the US and passed by two ADs - Pallidio & Rolex Boutique to see what inventory they have. The Rolex Boutique said you can do a tax refund of 12% at the YVR airport when you fly out but Pallidio said you can't. I found a watch that's very interesting at Pallidio if I can get a tax refund and the exchange rate. Has anyone purchased here in Vancouver and explain if a tax refund is possible?

Appreciate the help,
Jason

[h2000]

Originally Posted by shakeb0x

Hi everyone,

Need help with a potential purchase in Canada. I'm currently here visiting from the US and passed by two ADs - Pallidio & Rolex Boutique to see what inventory they have. The Rolex Boutique said you can do a tax refund of 12% at the YVR airport when you fly out but Pallidio said you can't. I found a watch that's very interesting at Pallidio if I can get a tax refund and the exchange rate. Has anyone purchased here in Vancouver and explain if a tax refund is possible?

Appreciate the help,
Jason

Not a tax expert by any means, but born and raised in Vancouver and I've never heard of anybody getting the taxes back. The government here loves their taxes and I can't see them giving it up!

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[Chewbacca]

If you are a non-resident visitor to Canada, you cannot claim a rebate of the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) that you paid for all purchases made in Canada. The visitor rebate program for GST/HST was replaced on April 1, 2007, with the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (FCTIP).

ie: only your convention or group tour costs are eligible for HST or only GST refunds.

I don’t know of any province that allows for PST refunds on anything.

Canadian provinces just don’t charge taxes on certain items, like kids shoes, some personal female hygiene, medications, food items etc.

[Soarer]

If you are a foreigner, rightfully speaking you shouldn't be paying tax in the foreign country and if you did pay, you should be able to get it refunded.

But I don't know how the tax refund works in the Airport though.

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[shakeb0x]

Thanks, I've been able to get tax refunds in the EU and Asia but unsure of Canada. It sounds like I'm not able too from the replies. 12% is what they are asking at the AD.

[supersam80]

I thought it was the same as the US, sales tax is not refundable (excluding the conference/tour group case mentioned above)

[GB-man]

No refund.

[rolex0000]

I am a Canadian citizen and know for a fact that unlike Australia or European countries, you CANNOT get your GST/PST back. Which is why Canada is more expensive to buy from.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

If you are a non-resident visitor to Canada, you cannot claim a rebate of the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) that you paid for all purchases made in Canada. The visitor rebate program for GST/HST was replaced on April 1, 2007, with the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program (FCTIP).

ie: only your convention or group tour costs are eligible for HST or only GST refunds.

I don’t know of any province that allows for PST refunds on anything.

Canadian provinces just don’t charge taxes on certain items, like kids shoes, some personal female hygiene, medications, food items etc.

This is correct. You used to be able to get get back a long time ago, but not anymore.