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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site watmath.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!srradia
From: srradia@watmath.UUCP (sanjay Radia)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re: Re: Re: US/Canada Customs
Message-ID: <12005@watmath.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 18-Mar-85 07:54:52 EST
Article-I.D.: watmath.12005
Posted: Mon Mar 18 07:54:52 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 19-Mar-85 03:37:18 EST
References: <853@decwrl.UUCP> <1508@ihuxl.UUCP> <316@oliveb.UUCP> <8336@watarts.UUCP>
Reply-To: srradia@watmath.UUCP (sanjay Radia)
Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario
Lines: 37
Summary: 

In article <8336@watarts.UUCP> mupmalis@watarts.UUCP (mike upmalis) writes:
>> 
>> When I went into Canada a year or so ago, I made the mistake of bringing
>> a portable VCR and camera with me.  Not wanting a hassle from US customs
>> on my return, I pre-registered the equipment with them.  Little did I know
>> that the Canadian customs people are known to be some of the worst in the
>> world!
>> 
>> In order to bring my equipment across the border I had to pay 15% in taxes
>> JUST IN CASE I decide to sell it while I'm in Canada.  If I bring everything
>> back out when I leave, I get my money back!
>
>	I suspect that if you tried to do the same thing anywhere
>in the world you would have found a similar difficulty.  Do blame
>customs for your own ignorance.

Customs in many parts of the world endorse such equipment in the passport
and require that you show the equipment when you leave the country.
This of course requires that they check your passport at the exit port
(lot of countries do this anyway since they want to see if you have over
stayed your visas). Imagine being asked to pay 15% on your camera (many
people carry cameras and one can make a lot of money selling a camera
in many 3rd world countries).
I don't think the canadian customs are the worst in the world but this
practice is certainly stupid. Customs in most places are just after
making money - how come they charge duty on the retail price of the goods
instead of its wholesale price which is what they should do. Also,
Canadian customs will not let you pool the tax exempt allowances between
family members - again a silly unfair rule geared to collect more money.


-- 

		sanjay
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