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From: gnome@oliveb.UUCP (Gary Traveis)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: US/Canada Customs
Message-ID: <330@oliveb.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 20-Mar-85 21:30:23 EST
Article-I.D.: oliveb.330
Posted: Wed Mar 20 21:30:23 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 25-Mar-85 02:32:50 EST
References: <853@decwrl.UUCP> <1508@ihuxl.UUCP> <316@oliveb.UUCP> <8336@watarts.UUCP>
Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 59

> > 
> > 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!
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > DON'T GET SCREWED BY CANADIAN CUSTOMS!  Bring nothing but the shirt on
> > your back and be careful what you buy while you are over there! They
> > are truly assholes!
> > 
> > POST NOTE:  The rock group Loverboy (Canadian) had just finished the first
> > part of their US tour when they started across the Canadian border with
> > their road-equipment.  When the customs people tried the same crap with
> > them, they cancelled the Canadian part of their tour and left the equipment
> > in the US.
> 
> 	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.
> 	Whenever you intend to travel and bring up scale high tech
> equipment across the border then check ahead.  If you had intended
> to bring even a PC across the border you probably would have checked ahead?
> 	A customs officer is hired to discharge their duties
> fairly and equitably.
> 	At least the Ugly American has not died. :-)
> -- 
> ~~
> Mike Upmalis	(mupmalis@watarts)<University of Waterloo>

<<FLAME ON!>>
Actually, it is a case of the Canadian customs people being in the
stone age.  A three-year old camera and VCR is not "high tech".
Not only is it available in Canada, newer models tend to be released
up there for test marketing (from Sony, in particular).

What this is is a NO WIN situation.  First they take your money at the
border, sit on it until 3-4 weeks after you leave, then send you a check
that will cost you $8-15 dollars to cash.
(Remember, Canadian banks ARE foreign banks -- in the US)

It is simply a good example of a tax intensive customs/trade policy.
And when it comes to the taxes and French language laws, you'll find
no one more pissed-off than the people of Vancouver!

Eventually, the customs people will have to stop looking at VCRs
the same way they see CRAYs, as mystical high tech wonders.

Gee, flying the same stuff in & out of England (two weeks ago) 
was no hassle at all! (Maybe their customs people actually have
heard about TV!)

<< FLAME OFF >> (in centigrade, of course)