Canadian Import Duties

[Dogbert]

For those Canadians who have managed to bring a Rolex in from the U.S. or elsewhere does anyone know what the import duty is (apart from GST or provincial taxes). I have been on the Govt Canada website but still can never quite figure it out. Guess I should call but I thought someone might know.

[Hooper]

why would you tell them ??

[chris23]

I believe the Import taxes for Rolex is 5%.

[Hooper]

I respect the fact that you may want to declare your watch, however with all the taxes we Canadians pay, I just figure why give them more !! If it were me I would just put the watch on my wrist and forget about it

[Rolex Freak]

Originally Posted by Hooper

I respect the fact that you may want to declare your watch, however with all the taxes we Canadians pay, I just figure why give them more !! If it were me I would just put the watch on my wrist and forget about it

Couldn't agree more. I've purchased about 10, all from the US and never declared them. Plus, what happened to free trade???

[jets]

Originally Posted by Rolex Freak

Couldn't agree more. I've purchased about 10, all from the US and never declared them. Plus, what happened to free trade???

I think the freed trade thing applies only when a product purchased is MADE in North America. I know it blows.

[cdnwatchguy]

Originally Posted by jets

I think the freed trade thing applies only when a product purchased is MADE in North America. I know it blows.

NAFTA scheduled products are GST exempt.

[cdnwatchguy]

Jewelry is taxed like so on the declared value:

5% GST (unless NAFTA exempt, Rolex is not North American made therefore subject to GST)
5% Excise Tax
?% your PST

If you having it shipped and declare $1200 instead of $4500 and it is not inspected you are ahead of the game. If it is opened you will have it seized and pay the appropriate duties and be fined before you get it back. If you wear it across and don't declare it you are free and clear unless someone decides to have a closer look at your wrist and question it. Either way if you get caught smuggling or atempting to avoid duties you might then also be added to a secondary list and subject to endless secondary searches on any re-entry to the country. A risk only you can decide on.

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by cdnwatchguy

Jewelry is taxed like so:

5% GST (unless NAFTA exempt, Rolex is not North American made therefore subject to GST)
5% Excise Tax
?% your PST

= the Government making too much money

[Denver Dick]

Originally Posted by Hooper

= the Government making too much money

Whoa! Governments don't make diddly-squat, they just take.

[RLX-lvr]

Set up a us address just across the boarder and be done with it.

I haven't looked back. Send me a pm.

Jeff

[DRKBC]

I made a call to our customs broker and I can't recall but I think it was either 13 percent or 18 percent plus GST/PST.If you deal with a customs broker just give them a call and ask them what it costs to import a Swiss watch.

[Dfiled]

Originally Posted by Denver Dick

Whoa! Governments don't make diddly-squat, they just take.

Spoken by someone who doesn’t have universal healthcare.


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[User Name]

Wow, it has been about 8 years since I have been to Canada and I didn't know it was this hard to get something like a watch across. I was thinking about making a trip to get the new tudor when they became available. I just don't know how they would know that I didn't wear it on my way in. Guess I have some food for thought.

Neil

[robsteve]

Yesterday, I crossed the border with the Rolex I bought while I was in Florida. I declared it and they took off my personal exemption and then charged 5% duty and 13% HST. These taxes were based upon the purchase price of the watch, as shown on the receipt.

Why did I declare it? Two reasons, one, it is not insurable if you smuggle it in, and two if they check the vehicle and find the boxes and etc, you can be called on it and fined, plus it will be hell crossing the border from then on.

Robert

[Dogbert]

Originally Posted by robsteve

Yesterday, I crossed the border with the Rolex I bought while I was in Florida. I declared it and they took off my personal exemption and then charged 5% duty and 13% HST. These taxes were based upon the purchase price of the watch, as shown on the receipt.

Why did I declare it? Two reasons, one, it is not insurable if you smuggle it in, and two if they check the vehicle and find the boxes and etc, you can be called on it and fined, plus it will be hell crossing the border from then on.

Robert

Again, very helpful , thanks. I could not agree more about declaring. I don't have money to throw around and yes I think we are absolutely gouged by our taxes of all sorts but both ethically and practically I would declare what I brought in or had shipped in. It is just not worth not so doing.

[rescue7]

Originally Posted by robsteve

Yesterday, I crossed the border with the Rolex I bought while I was in Florida. I declared it and they took off my personal exemption and then charged 5% duty and 13% HST. These taxes were based upon the purchase price of the watch, as shown on the receipt.

Why did I declare it? Two reasons, one, it is not insurable if you smuggle it in, and two if they check the vehicle and find the boxes and etc, you can be called on it and fined, plus it will be hell crossing the border from then on.

Robert

Smart move Chris , now crossing the border will be a non issue in regards to getting asked if your Rolex was bought Stateside.

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by robsteve

Yesterday, I crossed the border with the Rolex I bought while I was in Florida. I declared it and they took off my personal exemption and then charged 5% duty and 13% HST. These taxes were based upon the purchase price of the watch, as shown on the receipt.

Why did I declare it? Two reasons, one, it is not insurable if you smuggle it in, and two if they check the vehicle and find the boxes and etc, you can be called on it and fined, plus it will be hell crossing the border from then on.

Robert

As well, you do not have to have paid duty or declare it in order to have your watch insured !! You only need to prove what you paid for the watch, its appraised and replacement values !! The Ins. company doesn't care so long as you pay the premiums and provide the rest of the info.

[robsteve]

Originally Posted by Hooper

As well, you do not have to have paid duty or declare it in order to have your watch insured !! You only need to prove what you paid for the watch, its appraised and replacement values !! The Ins. company doesn't care so long as you pay the premiums and provide the rest of the info.

They care when it comes to pay the claim. I had them ask about some camera gear that got lost in a house break in. they asked if it was bought outside of the contry and if I had proof duty was paid on it. I had bought it locally and had the receipts.

If you look in your insurnace policy you will probably seen an exclusion regarding illegal acts or something to that effect.

Best thing is to call your insurance agent and ask if they can insure a watch brought in without paying duty/taxes on it.

Robert

[Rippin]

Originally Posted by robsteve

They care when it comes to pay the claim. I had them ask about some camera gear that got lost in a house break in. they asked if it was bought outside of the contry and if I had proof duty was paid on it. I had bought it locally and had the receipts.

If you look in your insurnace policy you will probably seen an exclusion regarding illegal acts or something to that effect.

That information is good to know. I guess a way around this is to get the watch appraised and use that when insuring the item. No need to show a receipt at that point.

[MitchSteel]

In my experience, it also makes a big difference which airport you go through.A couple comes to mind where there's higher traffic and customs set up isnt "volume equipped", so you get fast tracked.Just keep your sleeves down

[i3kc]

Originally Posted by Rippin

That information is good to know. I guess a way around this is to get the watch appraised and use that when insuring the item. No need to show a receipt at that point.

I've worked for a few insurance companies in the claims department. Although the appraisal would support an insured value, ownership of item would be a separate item. I recall more than a few instances where if the customer bought an item (Rolex in specific) outside of Canada, proof of declaration of the item at the border was asked for. In cases where the customer could not show declaration (taxes paid) then the claim was denied. I believe it fell under the exclusion of illegal imported goods. So it's YMMV when it comes to dealing with an Insurance company.

[Brenngun]

If you buy one in the USA and wear it back it's no problem. They can't prove you bought it while you were in country. As for the boxes and paper work a quick stop at a local US post office will take care of that llittle problem. I love receiving mail from myself..........

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

If you buy one in the USA and wear it back it's no problem. They can't prove you bought it while you were in country. As for the boxes and paper work a quick stop at a local US post office will take care of that llittle problem. I love receiving mail from myself..........

x2

[cdnwatchguy]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

If you buy one in the USA and wear it back it's no problem. They can't prove you bought it while you were in country. As for the boxes and paper work a quick stop at a local US post office will take care of that llittle problem. I love receiving mail from myself..........

You may want to review the Customs Act and its regulations. They don't necessarily need to prove you bought it out of the country, the importer has to prove duties and taxes are paid. Thay can seize it and hold it until you come up with that proof. Admittedly you aren't likely to get caught but.....

[rescue7]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

If you buy one in the USA and wear it back it's no problem. They can't prove you bought it while you were in country. As for the boxes and paper work a quick stop at a local US post office will take care of that llittle problem. I love receiving mail from myself..........

Every Rolex watch comes with a warranty card that contains a country code.
This will show the destination of each Rolex watch.

In saying "They can't prove you bought it', works the opposite with Customs Canada. They will be asking YOU for proof that the watch was purchased in Canada, and duties and applicable taxes were paid.

Lastly all Rolex watches are registered with Rolex Canada and they can also verify that a watch was bought thru a Canadian AD.

With the stronger Canadian dollar and the risk of being caught at the border I will continue to buy my Rolex watches thru a local Ad that I frequent.

[Danand]

Originally Posted by Brenngun

If you buy one in the USA and wear it back it's no problem. They can't prove you bought it while you were in country. As for the boxes and paper work a quick stop at a local US post office will take care of that llittle problem. I love receiving mail from myself..........

As others have pointed out this iswrong. If the watch is questioned YOU will need to prove you bought it in Canada or imported it properly. They will seize it until you provide proof or pay the tax, duty, and fines ( usually doubling the tax and duty).
If you have brought it in successfully then wear it out again it is less likely to be questioned if it shows enough signs of wear-scratches, dirt in the usual places-under the clasp, in between links, etc. So don't give it a really good clean before taking it on vacation

[dsrb]

I was told that if you have a service record from Rolex Canada Service Dept, this would alleviate any concern over where the watch was bought, and would prove you own the watch. Doesn't avoid duties, and doesn't get around the fact that you've avoided taxes, but you then have some proof of ownership.

[impalass]

Agree with rescue7 100%

I recently purchased a new SS Daytona (black) from a Canadian AD for list price. Visited this AD for the first time and made an unexpected impulse purchase. Put some money down on it and will be picking it up next week.

Explored all the other buying options after the fact and have come to the conclusion that with the Daytonas firm prices and Canada Customs being know for their irritable bowl syndrome, to say the least, I'm very happy with my transaction.

Can't speak for customs in the States, but ours can give an asprin a headache, and very often do. Imho unless one can pick up across the boarder, buy from a Canadian AD and enjoy the peace of mind.

[Rippin]

Peace of mind goes a long way, and generally if I have to pay just a "little" more I'll buy locally (from a Canadian AD). But I've purchased watches from the US, just recently from DavidSW, and I've had no problems with excessive duties and taxes and saved quite a bit than buying locally. Yes, if I wear the watch out of the country AND the customs officer decides to question the origin of purchase, I'd be in a bit of a pickle, but I've NEVER seen that happen. I would think (and hope) those officers would have a lot more important issues to look out for.