Help with duty calculations

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schnellschnell

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I ordered a 2 piece leather suit from the US and was charged tax (of course) and duties (argh).

They calculated the duties at 13%. I have loaded the Duty book PDF from CBSA and looked up the code they used 4203 and see this:

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4203.10.00 -Articles of apparel 13%

CCCT, LDCT, UST, MT,
MUST, CIAT, CT, IT, NT,
SLT, PT, COLT, JT: Free
AUT: 6.5%
NZT: 6.5%
GPT: 8%
CRT: 13%
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I see that as 'Articles of apparel' charged at 13% which is pretty darned broad. However the other codes listed below include UST and MUST which are codes for United States of America, and is listed as 'Free'. So my question is - do you use country codes only for country of manufacture, or country of purchase? That nugget of info could save me $$$. Anyone know for sure?


j
 
AFAIK motorcycle safety gears are duty free. At least, I've never got charged any duties for motorcycle jackets/pants/boots/helmets I ordered from Europe. Make sure, the seller clearly states that it's a motorcycle suit in customs declaration form.
 
motorcycle gear is definitely not duty free.

I've ordered stuff from Italy and i've always calculated it this way:

eg. Leather jacket

Price x euro conversion x 18% (duty cost) x 13% tax

I've done it that way and it always seemed to be accurate. Mind you the CBSA has different duty percentage on each specific item. Helmets are 8.5% I believe.

I don't claim to be an expert or anything, but i've calculated it that way, and my final costs always seemed to match (give or take some dollars)
 
Whatever. I've been buying all kind of gear from Germany for many years. Schuberth, Rukka, Daytona, Stadler, you name it. Never ever I've been charge a penny in duties! Just tax's and ~$8 Canada Post brokerage fee. My last Schubert C3 Pro they even did not charge tax's! But that's just luck :).
 
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I am a Licensed Customs Broker, 13% is correct, the Tariff Treatment is based on the Country of Manufacture, if Manufactured in the USA it would be Duty Free. There is a rulings website that is real easy to find the correct HS Codes, go here and type inwhat it is that you want to import and ruling will be listed, these rulings are binding in all Countries including Canada. http://rulings.cbp.gov/index.asp
 
Neil V - I might just try that and see if it sticks. I'll use '4203.21.90 Specially designed for use in Sports - Other'. It's not like I'll be wearing this to the movies or anything.

But I suspect as Artois said, it is a leather jacket and that lists for 13%.

I've had good luck from Germany too, maybe next time I'll go that way. I lament our Canadian lack of selection.


j
 
schnellschnell said:
I lament our Canadian lack of selection.


j
Click to expand...

You only need to read 90% of GTAM to figure that out. If there WAS selection in canada, most people would go to the store here, try the stuff on, waste the salesperson's time with questions etc, then go online and buy it somewhere else.
 
You can't help but do that sometimes. Give you an example. Dealer cost on the alarm I wanted from parts Canada was higher than me going to Scorpio's website and buying it directly. Makes total sense doesn't it? :confused:

And I don't mean a buck or two either. It was enough to make me not buy it here and the parts guy even telling me get it directly and save the money. So even with a possible duty fee it's cheaper.
 
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Bought $1100 in gear from Riders Discount. I was charged 13% taxes when coming into Canada and a $8 brokerage fee from Canada Post. No duties on the products. I did get charged a 6% duty on some motor oil I had bought in the US and was bringing back into Canada.
 
schnellschnell said:
Neil V - I might just try that and see if it sticks. I'll use '4203.21.90 Specially designed for use in Sports - Other'. It's not like I'll be wearing this to the movies or anything.

But I suspect as Artois said, it is a leather jacket and that lists for 13%.

I've had good luck from Germany too, maybe next time I'll go that way. I lament our Canadian lack of selection.


j
Click to expand...

4203.21.90 applies to Gloves for use in Sports (baseball, Golf etc...), not Jackets ;) I am trained at HS classification, used to teach it when it first came out... 37 Years experience in Customs here LOL
 
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