Taxes/Duties on Canadian BST Items

Just wondering if Americans have to pay taxes/duties if they purchase shaving items on BST from Canada.

Just wondering if Americans have to pay taxes/duties if they purchase shaving items on BST from Canada.

I have not; but have only purchased two fairly expensive items from Canada.

I don't think the US charges duties and taxes on imports for the most part. I've received purchased items from all over the world and have never had to pay anything.

not that I'm aware of, no.

Nope.

If an item is sent through a company postage account you will most certainly pay import and duties on those item but if everything is F&F most likely not unless you get a dick inspecting your item at customs.


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My background and degrees are in Accounting and Finance and I have specialized in Federal and State Taxation for decades. Any and every State that imposes a sales tax also invokes a use tax. A use tax is the responsibility to self impose a sales tax on you State Tax return. If you purchase from an instate seller you will be charged a sales tax. If you purchase from an out of state seller that does not have nexus in your state (nexus = a legal presence in the state thereby requiring assessment and collection and remittence of a tax to the state) you will not. However, by law you are required to self assess and pay a use tax in leu of a sales tax.

Now that I have mades that as clear a mud let me tell you of how states can get to you especially after reading “Threads” from this blog as well as others even non shaving blogs. I have represented several high profile individuals here in Los Angeles. They purchased many high priced items out of state and there was no sales tax charged and collected. This created many audits where the State charged use tax, interest and penalty; and it began by dumb luck. Without becoming too wordy. An auditor reading this thread may say to their self “INTERESTING”.

You may not think this is a serious issue. Amazon felt the same way and now even they have no nexus in many States they are required to assess and collect sales tax due to case law. Discuss these things by private massages.

My understanding is if it's under $800 there is no duty imposed in the US, Canada can charge a duty on a value over $20, this is one of the issues during trade negotiations.

My understanding is if it's under $800 there is no duty imposed in the US, Canada can charge a duty on a value over $20, this is one of the issues during trade negotiations.

This is exactly what I read on the CBC News website today.

In terms of duties and customs, I understand the US has an $800 personal exemption on imports. There are some exceptions and quantity limits (alcohol and cigarettes for example). I have never paid any customs fees - a few orders over $250.

For VAT taxes, most will not charge or deduct (Shavemac for example).

Sales and Use tax laws vary by state, confusing, not logical, etc. I recall several years ago at work getting a special notice on sales tax on snow cones. As a wet shaver, I am really not worried about my state's Dept of Revenue taxing me on my future Wolfman razor (if I get that lucky) or my prized Brad Sears M&F brush.