If you're ordering camera equipment across the border...

You need to be aware of some basic information. This applies regardless of whether you are a Canadian ordering from a US dealer or a Yank ordering from a Canadian dealer.

First, some of the equipment, especially digital still video cameras (DSLR), is exempt from duty under the tariff schedules. There may be some duty on lenses and accessories.

You need to find the tariff schedules and the proper code for your purchase. Then you need to make sure that the dealer properly codes your purchase on your invoice and import/export paperwork. If not, you may wind up paying duty.

In my own case, when my D60 was stolen one day after I got it in 2002, I had to get the replacement from Montreal. I had to pay the UPS customs brokerage fee but then, because the dealer screwed up the paperwork, it was held hostage at US Customs in Louisville and released to me only after I paid the duty!

Eventually the dealer and UPS got on the same page and refunded the duty that should not have been collected but it took me several weeks and a lot of grief to get that accomplished.

Moral of the story: know the tariff codes (they are a royal pain in the butt, to be sure) and make sure they're properly entered by your dealer!!!

Dick is absolutely right. I deal with tarriff codes on an occasional basis here at work, and it's a real PITA, but has to be done right.

Having said that, I've made two purchases from B&H now which collectively included a lens, QR plates, a head, NDG filters, and film. In both cases, the shipment came through cleanly and the only tax/duty I had to pay was the GST (essentially nothing is GST exempt!) I had heard that there is a small duty on film, but maybe my purchase was small enough that the CCRA waived it.

B&H does enough export business that they seem to know how to do it properly. But I can't blame the smaller guys who refuse to sell out of the country!

-Paul

I have made dozens of purchases from B & H over the last 10 years and although it takes time I have had few problems. Once FedEx kept the paperwork on someones desk for more than two weeks when they went on holiday but no other problems. FedEx actually sent me a gift basket for my trouble. Yes, I have had to pay for fedex to do the border crossing work but it is still much cheaper than buying in Canada specially with our high dollar these days. No duty on most camera equipment, batteries and electronics. There is that GST & PST in Ontario though.

http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/gene ... ble-e.html

Essentially all cameras, including video and digital, are exempt from duty.

All my major equipment purchases are made across the border. What I've found to be easiest was to have it shipped by either FEDEX or UPS Air, this way the brokerage fees are included with the shipping charges (UPS Ground will charge upwards of C$40 to clear items through customs). I usually just end up paying GST on the item. As long as the goods are labelled as "Photographic Equipment", they will be tagged as Duty Free. I figure I saved over C$1000 by buying my 10D & 100-400L across the line.

my 2 (Canadian) cents =)

Stu