BC and ON residents tax free shopping across the border in Washington State

[Colsgirl]

With the HST coming in on 1st July BC and ON residents can now get tax free shopping across the border. About the only plus side I have fount to the intro of HST. See link below:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=127581050

[milobloom]

Would be interested to find out if any other US states will be adopting this. I am heading down to Syracuse on the 5 or 6 of July. That would come in handy.

[ChristieJ]

Please consider putting something like tax-free shopping in Washington state for BC and ON residents just to clear it up. It's not really a value for Ontarians if it's only Washington state since it's located right below BC. But a good deal for BCers. Thanks for posting.

[FallenPixels]

Don't forget that you still have to report it at the border and pay tax you are just saving on the US portion of the sales tax, not the HST

[Colsgirl]

Please consider putting something like tax-free shopping in Washington state for BC and ON residents just to clear it up. It's not really a value for Ontarians if it's only Washington state since it's located right below BC. But a good deal for BCers. Thanks for posting.

Done!

[Colsgirl]

Don't forget that you still have to report it at the border and pay tax you are just saving on the US portion of the sales tax, not the HST

Yes but if you stay longer than 48 houre we get $750 per person shopping limit. When you cross the border coming back they only want the total $ value for all the people in the SUV. $3000 on the US will get a lot more in the USA than in Canada.

[sam]

Yes but if you stay longer than 48 houre we get $750 per person shopping limit. When you cross the border coming back they only want the total $ value for all the people in the SUV. $3000 on the US will get a lot more in the USA than in Canada.

Actually if you are away 48 hours the exemption is $400. You have to be away for 7 days (don't count the day you leave, but do count the day you return) in order to get the $750 exemption. And keep in mind that you can't split one item between multiple people. Ie. 4 people cannot claim and get an exemption for a $3000 TV!

Here is a link to CBSA's website regarding exemption etc..

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5056-eng.html

Just scroll down to the personal exemptions section.

[Colsgirl]

And keep in mind that you can't split one item between multiple people. Ie. 4 people cannot claim and get an exemption for a $3000 TV!

This is not what the border guard told us because we asked last time we came back and we were told that as long as it was something we would all be using eg a TV then we could add our allowances together. The link you provided also says:

As a parent or guardian, you can make a declaration to the CBSA for a child as long as the goods you are declaring are for the child's use.

[Starbaby55]

you can make a declaration to the CBSA for a child as long as the goods you are declaring are for the child's use.<!-- GAL -->

This means that a child doesnt get a nil declaration just because they are a minor. You can still declare 400$ for the child after being away for 48 hours, as long as it's like a stroller, or baby clothes etc (this is how it is technically, however most cbsa officers don't care about the contents unless it's alcohol/tobacco - you must be the age of majority in your province to import alcohol/tobacco).

The previous poster is right, you cannot split up a declaration (ie everyone declares max. 400$ after being away for 48 hours because the family of 4 bought a 1600$ TV).

edit: the site also states

You cannot combine your personal exemptions with another person's or transfer them to someone else.

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