importing lego into canada tax?

[catwoman]

Hi, does anyone living in Canada know about whether it costs tax to import lego into canada? I always thought they were tax and duty free to import but I just bought a used lego starwars motorized AT AT from US and I got charged tax and handling at the border. I thought it shouldnt cost anything because it is a reduced size model? anyone have any idea? If I could have bought it in Canada obviously I would have but that model was from 2007 so I had to get it used.

[pterribilis]

Of course you have to pay tax, but the question is about duty. Everytime I cross the border and declare my lego purchased in the USA they tax me. Sometimes though they let a few dollars here and there above to limit slide. Last time I told them I had about 60 worth of lego ( i rounded up ) for gifts for my two cousins and they didn't inspect or charge me tax, but I did go across one time and they even tried to tell me that lego that i had left in my car from a previous purchase was going to be taxed acting like i was some crack smuggling criminal. I was pretty upset as I had purchased the items from Plattsburgh and I was crossing thru Vermont coming back from Burlington. I guess it depends on the customs officer. Some just don't like their job and try to make everyone pay for it.

I surely wish they made exceptions for kids toys where clearly you are collecting it for them and not to sell. I could understand if they tried to tax you if you had more than one piece of the same set, but come on. I already had to pay tax in the USA for the same item so why do I have to pay Canadian tax too..PLUS my income taxes in Canada are out of this world! All I know is, after my two year work permit is up...I'm going back to Australia. The roads suck, the health care sucks, and the taxes are extremely high. Where are my taxes going anyway?

[joseph.blow]

I'm pretty sure private sales (cash/cheque, not from a store) w/out a receipt shouldn't be taxed, just as they are not taxed here. Duty shouldn't apply to toys either afaik. Handling is another matter however. The couriier companies sometimes charge their own handling fees.

[catwoman]

what about ebay sales where I paid with paypal

[vuud]

When I cross the border, duty taxes is usually about 5%. Nothing to cry about. It's when you order via UPS or other courier that they charge you broker fees along with duty taxes. It's those who are ripping you off!

[Rook]

You can check online at Service Canada but I believe you get a $50 limit for 24 hours. Then that number increases the longer you stay out of the country but caps off at around $200-500 (I forget the exact amount). Usually I declare what was clearly purchased. And don't worry about items like clothes. Pull tags and put in suitcase. But Lego and liquor are usually pretty noticeable if customs agents pop the trunk.

PS: Canada is socialist. We’ll tax on everything, including taxing on tax.

[slacker]

what if you are not Canadian? You still get taxed?