Is it OK to ship stuff in the states? I have a guy that wants to buy my wheels and i'd like to know if I can make the short trip across the border to ship them. Anybody ever done this?

 

Paul, you'll have to pay the duty on them when you cross the border. I just got mailed a bill for $45 of duty for a set of $90 valve covers.

 

So i'd have to pay the duty on them going into the states?

 

When I called to find out what this bill was for they told me for that there is a certain percentage rate for all articles crossing the border. And they apply that percentage rate to the value of the articles. I'm sure if you left them bare in the back, and said they were just there from during the week and forgot to take them out, or you were using them for weight in the winter and forgot to take them out, you might be OK.

Worse, if they want to charge you something stupid, just turn around and come back home.

 

So what the hell was the free trade agreement about? I just don't get it.
Domenic

 

My understanding is that you can mail letter mail with no concerns. Hell, they can't charge you anything for a piece of paper. As for shipping the tires when they ask you going over if you have anything to declare, this would mean the tires that you are going to ship. If you have them packaged up and ready to go then you are toast, if they just happen to be there then you can probably get away with it.

Don't just go to the closest postal station either unless you cross at Buffalo. I had an experience a couple of weeks ago where I was shipping some items, didn't package them and declared nothing. Went to local Walmart and bought packaging for them(they have a good selection, even for tires) then packaged them all up in the Walmart parking lot. Drove back to the postal outlet to ship them and isn't the customs officer in there getting a money order. Very small town in Northern Maine so he knew I had just crossed. He hung around a bit to see what I was doing but never approached me. I was ****ting my pants though as I was shipping 10 packages.

 

I just bought a set of GTA wheels from a guy in Flint for cheap and offered him a little extra to bring them across the border for me. He did and had no problems crossing with them but had to go through quite a hassle when he went back I guess. I suggest if you're taking them across the border to stay across for the day and bring something back... even something small.

 

Huh, talking about customs... We've been in the same situation here, in Poland when importing stuff from Germany... till yesterday (we've joined European Union today)
If I were you I'd put the wheels on your car, cross the border, buy some junkyard wheels in the U.S. and use them on my way back

 

just lie and say that youre getting tires for them.

Daz

 

Im not sure if it works the same bringing parts into the US but I just picked up a rearend from Detriot and they charged me nothing coming back across. Someone said something about them not charging duty on used car parts but either way I was glad.

 

You got lucky bringing those parts, even on duty free things you have to pay taxes. I had to pay taxes on the 4th gen seats I picked up in Buffalo even though they were duty free.

The penalty for getting caught is quite high as they impound your car. Unless you drive a real ****box across the border it is a big risk.

 

When I went across the border they asked me what I was getting and how much it was worth. Before I left I printed out the email from the guy with his price on it, while I was there I got him to sign it for me saying that I had paid in full. As I came back across they again asked me the value and I showed them the reciept and I asked them and they said I didnt have to pay anything. I have no trouble he just wanted me to roll down my rear window so he could take a quick look at it.

 

The chances of getting caught bringing something INTO the states as a Canadian driving a Canadian vehicle with Canadian plates is minimal- unless they suspect you of something more serious (i.e. drugs, wanted by the law, etc.)- the biggest hassles are for people returning to their native country (i.e. you coming from the states back to Canada) where they naturally assume you've bought something with you they want duty/tax on. If the wheels are in your trunk and out of sight, and you declare nothing going into the US, even if they open up your trunk and see 'em- as pointed out above, tell them you're going to buy new tires to put on them. Maybe the Canadian customs guys will get this info from the US guys, maybe not- but even if they check you on the way back in, say you changed your mind and threw the wheels in a dumpster- the US guys are not going to check anything leaving the US... of course you didn't hear this from me...

 

I don't know where you guys cross over, but the three bridges around here within 2 hours driving make you open trunks and tailgates and search with mirrors under your car. If they see anything, they start asking questions, so be prepared to answer.

 

Yup.

 

You need to cross at a high-volume crossing on a Saturday- like the "Peace Bridge" in Niagara or such...

But, as noted, 4 used rims in a trunk is of little consequence going TO the US as long as you/your story is believable.

 

You're probably right. I'm more concerned with the Border Patrol than the guys at customs. Is taking the rims across the border illegal? If I declared them would I have to pay some kind of duty?

I'm used to fighting with the Canadian customs agents, not the US guys