Cross-Border Shipping (US/CAN)

leppg

Let me just start by saying that I am based in Canada near the USA border.

So I am looking to sell a couple things on Ebay and one thing I notice is that it is hard to compete with US based sellers when selling to US customers because of the increased shipping costs. In an effort to improve upon this I had the idea of driving the packages over the border to ship them through USPS or whatever.

My question is whether this is legal or illegal. I am pretty sure Toys do not carry a duty on them for US customers importing them so I can't see this as a way of avoiding such fees, only reducing shipping costs.

Would I have to declare or fill anything out at the border? If anyone has had any experience with this or knows the laws, any help would be appreciated.

And before anyone comments on the practicality of this I just want to say that I only sell very few sets so it is easy to time with a shopping trip.

odueck

Usually when you cross the border they ask if you are leaving anything in the U.S. In this case, you are, so you would have to declare them. It's perfectly legal.

piratemania7

Are you coming in through Maine? No problem if you do, greatest people work the border. Them and the moose!

leppg

Lol, unfortunately no, NY/ON border.

So would it just be declare and they go move along, or is there some form that I am supposed to fill out, possibly one done in advance?

CupIsHalfEmpty

My assumption is that you would declare when you pull up to the window, then you would have to go inside and fill out paperwork, then you would have to pay NY state tax on the value of the goods. But I could be wrong...

leppg

Yea that is what I am worried about if there are any associated fees.

I tried Googling this but came up with nothing mainly because I am not exactly sure what to search for...

mdelleman

You don't need to fill any paperwork out or pay any tax - at least I have not in the past from experience.

I always get gas and do a little shopping while I am over as well so I let the border guard know that. Sometimes they ask what I am picking up/sending out and I reply with LEGO and often get a sheepish grin from them.

I have never have had to "declare" any items I am taking into the USA with me.

mdelleman

My recommendation would to also look into a shipping depot. They take care of all the details for you and there is a fixed address there if anything happens or the package doesn't make it and is returned. They usually charge a small fee for every package you send or a yearly flat rate to use their services for pickup and shipping out.

leppg

Alright thanks for the information, I am more interested in the taking stuff into the US as I do have a place where I ship my packages to in the US already.