Violin Forum/Message Board

Barry Dudley · Member Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Monroe, GA

Are there import duty or taxed due on violins shipped between the US and Canada?
I was told by the Canadian post office "no" but one of my Canadian customers said there was $600 duty on a violin I had shipped to Canada from the US?

Please supply first hand knowledge if you have any experience with this subject.
I though that trade between the US and Canad was "free"?

Joseph Leahy

You will find the home page of the Canada Border Services Agency at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2009/01-99/tblmod-1-eng.html. Looking under section 92, http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2009/01-99/ch92-eng.pdf you will find rates for musical instruments. Section 92.02 shows that bowed stringed instruments including violins are duty free.

If a person in Canada is charged import duties incorrectly, it is usually the fault of the broker. To get this back, see the description on http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/import/postal-postale/dispute-contestation-eng.html.

Although a great many (most) commodities are duty free between the US and Canada, not all are. Its best to check this document to confirm the rates.

Hope this helps.

Joe

Barry Dudley · Member Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Monroe, GA

Joe, thank you for you response! Does the candadian citizen have to pay any type of sales tax?

Joseph Leahy · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject:

Yes. GST (value added tax) is applicable on everything within Canada or coming in to Canada. It is set now at 5%. Only a few items/circumstances have exempt status so this is almost a guarantee. Each province has its own provincial (same as state tax) tax rate. Alberta is 0%, Ontario, 8%. This site gives a breakdown. http://www.taxtips.ca/pst/pstrates.htm. Note that HST means that the province and the federal rate are harmonized so that the HST rate is the total rate paid which includes both levels of tax.

Barry Dudley · Member Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 64 Location: Monroe, GA

Thank you for the information! 13% on an expensive violin hurts!!!

Joseph Leahy · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:57 pm Post subject:

Agreed!

Joseph Leahy · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:13 pm Post subject:

Barry

As a side note, I just wanted to congratulate you on some very nice instruments and the successful growth of your business. Having run my own business for a number of years, I know that you must have put in some hard work and long hours not only developing your luthiery skills but also handling all the various aspects of running the business. Looks like things are going well.

Joe