I mean, say, you want a really nice camera, or a drone, or maybe a gaming laptop, and since those things are made in China, they are too expensive to buy right now in the US, since tariffs are over 100%. So you just go to Canada, buy the thing, unpack it from the packaging, and pretend like its just personal items. Just like a smartphone.
AFIAK, border agents usually don’t ask if you bought your phone in the US or from outside, they shouldn’t ask about other personal electronics, right?
OP discovers smuggling.
Once you’ve unlocked smuggling, you can start researching the next nodes in the tech tree: drug trafficking, human trafficking, international weapons trade etc. I’m pretty sure OP is heading for the Lord of War achievement.
“Pssst pssst, I’ve got Shaoxing wine, Three Crabs brand fish sauce…”
This instantly put the Resident Evil 4 “what are you buyin’” guy’s voice in mind?
They will definitely ask if you purchased anything. You can lie but if you get caught expect little to no leniency.
Can you get away with it? Probably, for some stuff. Is it worth it? You’re rolling some dice, you decide.
Believe it or not, straight to jail.
Only for a few weeks before a judge tells them to release you. And so they send you to a black site in another country with no trial.
Come visit the EU. People drive to other countries to get cheap gas and cigarettes all the time. Hell, when I lived near the border, 95% of my groceries were German.
I live near ze French border in BW and half the customers in the supermarket are French or Swiss.
You will need a fast ship to evade the border patrols. May I suggest the Falcon here. She did the Kessel run in just twelve parsecs.
Wait, but parsecs are a unit of dis…ohhhh
I did that once, when the Nexus phones weren’t available in Switzerland but they were in Germany. I ordered it to a location close to the border that specifically offers a postal address as a service and went to pick it up.
The correct thing to do would have been to go to the border agents, get a confirmation that I’m bringing the merchandise out of the country and pay the Swiss VAT. With the confirmation I could theoretically get the VAT back from the seller I paid it to. Except that was Google and they weren’t intending to sell it for export, so I doubt they would have helped with that.
What I did was unpack the phone, throw away the packaging, put my old phone in one jeans pocket and my new one in the other, and drive back over the boarder. Having two phones isn’t that weird, so I thought I could get away with claiming them as personal items if I was asked. But I wasn’t even stopped (they only do sampling at the crossing) so it was easy. But it was technically smuggling. Anything over 300 CHF needs to be declared and VAT paid, the phone was around 400 €.
My mom once went clothes shopping to Austria and didn’t declare them. The border guard asked what she bought. She claimed clothes, but not over the limit. He was like no way, I know that brand, they must be worth more, checked the stuff, and discovered it was worth too much. She had to pay VAT plus a pretty decent fine.
I only crossed the US Canadian border once in each direction, but to me it seemed like they were way more strict and thorough than here in Europe within Schengen. So I’d be scared I think. But overall I still think your plan could work if you’re careful with it. Maybe gaming laptop would be suspicious if you went for a one day trip, would be better if it was longer. But a phone not really.
It’s been years since I’ve crossed the Canada/USA border, so things may be different today. But when I went, the Canada side was more concerned about smuggled weapons, while the USA side was more concerned about smuggled drugs. Still, it doesn’t take much to trigger a border patrol search.
Apparently if you go from New Brunswick in the morning, spend the day driving through Maine/New Hampshire/Vermont, and cross into Quebec the next day, that’s suspicious enough to get detained for several hours and to have your entire car searched at the border. To me it just made sense to do a straight line drive through those states, since staying inside Canada between those two points would have been a much longer, more convoluted route. Silly me, being logical about my route without considering how others break international law.
People in border towns are always on alert for people walking remote roads, hitchhikers, etc. The border strip itself is cleared and monitored with remote cameras, drones, patrols on horseback and ATVs, etc.
My wife and I were bored and it was raining in northern NH so we decided to explore the far north end of NH. Then we decided “Since we are this close to the border lets go to Canada.” We told the border officer that we were going for the day for lunch and he paused for a sec then waved us through. lol We ended up eating in a Greek restaurant and found out they still smoked in restaurants in Quebec.
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If you buy the phone to use it ourself, doesn’t that mean that it is a personal item?
Ah, yes it’s for personal use, true. But the meaning of personal item as it relates to customs means an item that you take with you on the travels for your own use, so the assumption is that it leaves and re-enters your country with you. So that there is no net export or import involved. Here’s the definition my government provides (helpfully even available in English).
My claim, if asked, would have been, that I always use two phones and I just took both with me when I went to Germany and then obviously took both back to Switzerland.
If they also consume it over the border, sure.
If they bring it back, they are importing it and that’s when you have to pay the tariff. If you’re thinking “just keep it in your trunk how will anyone know?” just consider how long smuggling has been a thing and ask yourself if you think border guards have thought of this. They have.
Well for some items it’s definitely easy. Laptop for example just say it’s your laptop. No box or receipt you brought it with you. But it has to be like 1. And it’s still illegal.
As I and others have mentioned elsewhere, you’re taking a risk doing this, as if you get caught it will cost you more.
One other thing to keep in mind is warranties if anything goes wrong with the item. If you are trying to make it look like you brought the item with you, you’ll be getting rid of all the documentation and packaging that proves you purchased it. That includes receipts. Warranties often require proof of purchase, so you may be throwing away your warranty by doing this.
Also, keep in mind that models and model numbers are often different in Canada. I’ve had phones that were identical to the US model but had a different model number. I’ve also had phones where they sold the European version in Canada (again with its own model number) and so it was basically a different phone from what you’d get in the States for the same model name (different CPU, different supported communication protocols.)
Often our model numbers will get a “CA” added to the end making it obvious. Sometimes it won’t be obvious, but won’t match model numbers you can easily find info for online. My current laptop model number is undiscoverable online because it is so rare. There are similar ones for which the info mostly matches my computer, but I’m not always able to find good info.
It’s kind of funny watching Americans talk about this now as it was something we Canadians used to talk about all the time… Strategies for buying goods in the US to save money.
Going across the border to buy something is completely legal. Bringing it back for resale is different. You said something you want, and then you said pretend it’s a personal item. There’s an inconsistency. If it’s something you want, then it is a personal item. As long as it isn’t illegal, you’re legally fine. That being said, there are two things to be aware of. Legality is a bit more fluid these days (especially at the border), and I’d guess you’d look and act very suspicious, which would probably end poorly for you based on the first thing.
I did this often when I was in a country with VAT. It was cheaper to fly, buy the thing, and fly back. Or sail, which I also did.
I really don’t like the way this is worded. It sounds like you’re saying that going across the border and buying a “personal” item and not declaring it is just fine.
Yes it is perfectly legal to go across the border and buy something and bring it back (assuming we’re talking about legal goods here, not drugs or contraband items, obviously.)
But you must declare those items. If you get caught pretending it was an item you brought with you but you actually purchased across the border, you may be fined. When you are asked a bunch of questions by the border guard, they’re looking for signs you’re lying. If they get a whiff you’re lying or uncomfortable, they’ll start digging. If they catch you trying to avoid paying the duties on a laptop, not only will you have to pay the duties, you may have to pay a fine on top of that, not to mention every future border crossing you make may be more difficult. If they catch you trying to cheat they are way more likely to implement a fine and put a note on your file.
There are (for now) certain amounts of money you can spend when you cross the border, which changes based on how long you’ve been gone, for which you won’t be charged duties - but you still have to accurately declare what you’ve spent!
That’s probably a valid point. I just checked the import requirements into the States for citizens, and it does say you need to declare items. I have never bothered, was always asked, and usually said no, or maybe a bottle or two of liquor.
No wait. The first time I traveled abroad was to Mexico via airplane, and I itemized everything. Including the gummy bears I bought, every coin I had, all currency, a small jar of sand from the beach, and a lot more. I filled up 3 pages. The border cops just rolled their eyes, and verbally told me to only declare anything over $10K. Last time I came into the States via boat, I just said personal stores, and it was also fine.
If you want to follow the law to the letter, do it to the letter. If you don’t get sunburned easily, maybe do that.
Bear in mind that it’s easier to say you fucked up a form than lying to some badge wearingYou know, it’s been more than a year since I’ve been back to the States. Shit’s gotten weird there. Listen to more recent anecdotal stuff, read the 6059b form, and decide your risk level.
Never volunteer information, especially to cops. Otherwise, look at some other comments here. It’s probably a more usual use-case. I’m not a good average person.
verbally told me to only declare anything over $10K.
Sounds like a trap to me.
By “declaring” I’m not necessarily saying an itemized list of every tiny item you bought, especially if you’re under any limits. But I would be prepared to show all of it if asked. All it takes is one border guard having a bad day to make a difference.
And expressly going to another country to buy a product outside the limits and then sneak it back in to avoid duties is entirely different than some souvenir trinkets and candy.
If you declare the laptop, the border guard might just wave you through without making you pay the duty. If you don’t, and they catch you in a lie, good luck.
Pretty sure this is false in most countries. You are required to disclose purchases and declare values, even for personal use. If they hit a certain thresholds, you’ll have to pay a tax.
Now I’m sure most people just ignore this, because practically they don’t know which items you carried with you and which you purchased. But it isn’t legal.
Last time I crossed back into the US from Canada the agent gave my friend shit because she didn’t have a physical receipt for the purchase she made and couldn’t prove it was worth less than the threshold. Even though I live in a border city I rarely cross because the agents are such assholes
Welcome to Europe’s cheat code. Within an hour I can reach 4 countries with 4 different tax laws.
Ok, but ir’s a cheat code for non-existing problem since non of those countries tax you with addituonal tarifs.
non-existing problem
It’s the other way around: to avoid local taxes on things like fuel, medicine, food, …
VAT rates differ between countries, as do the very long lists of exemptions and reductions.
If you remove the Luxemburg, Andorra, and a couple of smaller countries, VAT rates are relatively consistent. Indeed, if you live within 20km from the border, it’s worth buying some stuff across the border, and for some trips to plan a fuel stop on the right side of the border.
But if you need to drive 100 km, you won’t recover the cost of the road if you don’t do some specific purchases.
Note also, that at least in theory, you’re not free to travel with unlimited cigarettes and alcohol (where tax rates difference can be crazy) so again, if you pass by Luxemburg or Andorra, you can’t legally speaking buy 100 packs of cigarettes, (but would still save 30 to 50 € on a 10 packs carton)
From Switzerland shopping in Germany is pretty worth it. Their VAT which you can claim back on export is 19% ours is 8.1% and on top of that their prices are generally cheaper. It’s a real thorn in the side of Swiss retailers. They successfully lobbied to have the VAT free value lowered, starting this year it’s 150 CHF instead of 300 CHF.
Lucky you, to get to more than one other country I need at least 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic
From Australia, I’m gonna need a decent boat and a lot of days. Or a plane.
Smuggling is easier than you think, being stupid is a requirement for law enforcement. Especially in the USA
Just observe the system, go through a couple of times, you’ll see the cracks and should be able to figure it out from there, especially if it’s just to circumvent tariffs and not import illegal goods.
Ask yourself, is it worth the legal system to pursue this matter if it’s relatively minor?
Chances are you’ll just get a slap on the wrist, but there is ALWAYS risk when it comes to this stuff, so also ask yourself is it worth doing it in the first place?
Happy smuggling and remember borders are imaginary! :)
The tariffs only apply to the USA, not to the whole of America
Good point
What do you mean
America is a continent with 30 countries on it. Only one out of these 30 has deemed it a good idea to elect an orange felon as their president. It is called the USA.
You are wrong. North America is a continent, and South America is a continent. Of all the countries on these two continents, one is colloquially referred to as “America” by everyone who isn’t an internet weirdo. Absolutely nobody else in the western hemisphere refers to themselves as “America” or “Americans”
Yes, I am aware that this is the prevalent misconception in the USA. If you spoke more than one language you’d quickly realise this is not the case in the rest of the world. For example, your demonym in Spanish is Estadounidense, which means Unitedstatesian. In German it is US-Amerikaner, the meaning of which you can probably understand. The demonyms are such because they understand that the USA are a subset of America.
If it’s under a certain dollar amount and not to be sold, sure, but this is probably not going to practical for a lot of things unless you’re pretty close to the border.
“Oh yes, officer! This is my washer and dryer from home… I just felt like they needed a bit of fresh air!”
No because once outside of the US people realise the country is shit and they don’t want to come back anymore, so this will not work sadly enough.
Unless you can fly the Kessel run in twelve parsecs, you should probably leave the smuggling to career criminals.
Don’t mind me officer, I am just carrying my personal TV and washing machine with me
