604/778 Cross border road trip to USA

[C_Shewins]

Originally Posted by Synch

good to know thanks ages & Nice! Ages are you sure its not the start of 08 rather than the end of 08?..

If its the end of 08 I can go to one more con in the states & put off getting the pasport even longer... Since they only last what?.. 5 ish years?.. get it in 09 & have it last me till 2013?.. ish :S lol...

From what I heard, it is January 2008 that u must have a passport to go to the States. But it is always good to get a passport, it takes a while to get one sometimes if the line up is long.

[agesthreeandup]

Originally Posted by C_Shewins

From what I heard, it is January 2008 that u must have a passport to go to the States. But it is always good to get a passport, it takes a while to get one sometimes if the line up is long.

The US delayed it again due to the fact that now getting a Canadian Pasport can take so long due to the backlog. There is also consideration of having a Super Drivers Lisence program that will enable you to not have a passport. These lisences are being tested in Ontario and if it becomes reality then it will be East Coast that gets them first.

I cross the border once a week for all my US shipping. I have never had a problem with using both my DL and birth certificate. I will be getting a passport as you do need it for flying (even tho you can get around that as well, it just takes a lot longer) and I have to take a few trips next year. It just makes sence to have the passport anyway.

Spencer.

[protoform_ironhide]

Oh my god! Is it cheaper in the USA? Maybe I should go down there for some toys!

[ChrisW]

Originally Posted by protoform_ironhide

Oh my god! Is it cheaper in the USA? Maybe I should go down there for some toys!

The toys are cheaper, but you'll probably spend the money you save on gas just by driving down there. On the other hand, it's still the cheapest way to get the US Exclusives.

[protoform_ironhide]

Yes, and last time I went to the USA, they said i am only allow to bring 50 dollars worth of item because I only spent one day there. So the most I can get if I go down with my brother and a friend is only 150 dollars I guess. And they will buy stuff too. They charged me tax after 50 dollars. So how much cheaper are the toys? Like movie bumblebee deluxe for example? Anyone know?

[Aernaroth]

Buy some cereal while you're there. Extra points if you mail me a box of cookie crisp.

[ChrisW]

Unless I'm mistaken:

Deluxe Class - $9.99 US vs $14.99 CDN
Voyager Class - $19.99 US vs $29.99 CDN
Leader Class - $39.99 US vs $59.99 CDN

Basically, we pay 1.5 times the US price. Still, it's better than the UK situation, where they pay more than twice the US price.

[RedOktobre]

Originally Posted by protoform_ironhide

Yes, and last time I went to the USA, they said i am only allow to bring 50 dollars worth of item because I only spent one day there. So the most I can get if I go down with my brother and a friend is only 150 dollars I guess. And they will buy stuff too. They charged me tax after 50 dollars. So how much cheaper are the toys? Like movie bumblebee deluxe for example? Anyone know?

I cross the border to the US regularly with my gf & her friends. Depending on how long you stay in the US, you can bring back the following without paying "Canadian Duty":

24 hours absence = $ 50.00
48 hours absence = $ 200.00
7 days absence = $ 750.00

"Canadian Duty" = US$ Purchase Price X CRA Prescribed US Exchange Rate X 6% GST X "Provincial Taxes %"

Notes:
"CRA" = Canada Revenue Agency
"Prescribed US Exchange Rate" = Exchange Rate used by CRA to Income Tax and/or Excise Tax purposes
"Excise Tax" = GST (simplified definition)
Maritime provinces = ignore "GST & provincial" and replace with "HST"

From past experience, Canada Customs Officers would only charge you "duty" if each passenger in your vehicle has purchased an average of more than $ 75.00 - $ 100.00 per passenger.

Moreover, they have a tendency to charge you duty if you bring in alcohol and cigarettes. If you don't, they often wave you by.

Originally Posted by ChrisW

Unless I'm mistaken:

Deluxe Class - $9.99 US vs $14.99 CDN
Voyager Class - $19.99 US vs $29.99 CDN
Leader Class - $39.99 US vs $59.99 CDN

Basically, we pay 1.5 times the US price. Still, it's better than the UK situation, where they pay more than twice the US price.

I agree with ChrisW's quotations.

[protoform_ironhide]

Cool! It looks like staying 2 days is good, but have to rent a hotel.

[nuropa]

limit for 48 hours is raised to $400 recently.