Customs bashing

[nutcracker]

So I guess it was revenge of The Man today. I've been lucky with imports, but today a parcel from a US online vendor got hit with duty. Omigosh!

So $190 box of cigars incurred duty and taxes of $360 CAD! Now I'm not sure of the math, but that verges just plain nasty.

Sending them backs not much of an option, as that too will cost postage etc, etc.

Going to stick in my throat when I light one. Could have bought Behikes at e price!

[brylee]

sonsa*****s!

I went on a Canadian fly in fishing trip, with friends, a few years back. When we got to the lodge, we ordered a pizza and a couple beers. The bill came back at close to $150. When we questioned the owner, he told us that it was mostly taxes; we have to pay for the healthcare and education up there somehow.

[hotreds]

Wow! That is mind-numbing!

[Jitsupriebe]

danggggg- bummer man.

[The Poet]

Sue Ottawa under Chapter 11 of NAFTA. It's the American way.

[nutcracker]

I think it actually encourages bad behaviour, in as much as I don't feel too bad about the bland looking boxes that came form Europe/ Caribbean and were not stopped.

The more honest vendors, who actually accurately reflect the package contents stand to lose business as customers become gun-shy of incurring some absurd charge.

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by nutcracker

I think it actually encourages bad behaviour.

That's also the American way.

[markem]

Unfortunate, but bashing customs for doing their job seems odd. Of course, it is very common for people to want customs to "do their job well" except when it comes to their personal packages.

I've noticed a willingness (at least at the US-level) for customs officials to go after the vendor or shipper of the product. The higher level of enforcement for declaring content is part of that. Most vendors are unwilling to risk all sales to one country because of a single mis-labelled shipment.

[the nub]

Originally Posted by nutcracker

I think it actually encourages bad behaviour, in as much as I don't feel too bad about the bland looking boxes that came form Europe/ Caribbean and were not stopped.

The more honest vendors, who actually accurately reflect the package contents stand to lose business as customers become gun-shy of incurring some absurd charge.

sucks that your cigars got nabbed. Happens sooner or later unfortunately.

OTOH for $360 they seem to have given you a break on $190 valuation. With exchange, federal and provincial, tobacco taxes and handling, the charge should probably closer to $400+

[czerbe]

One of the many reasons I don't smoke CCs.

[stearns]

Originally Posted by czerbe

One of the many reasons I don't smoke CCs.

Sounds like these were NC's

[Brlesq]

Well that sucks!

[nutcracker]

Originally Posted by the nub

sucks that your cigars got nabbed. Happens sooner or later unfortunately.

OTOH for $360 they seem to have given you a break on $190 valuation. With exchange, federal and provincial, tobacco taxes and handling, the charge should probably closer to $400+

Yep - "smile and wave" as the penguins would say....

[AdamJoshua]

I think in a way, at times, we are lucky they don't do their job better, as Mark has said, you can't really bash them for doing their jobs. I think we have all gotten caught trying to job the system, it's more on us for trying to do something that's not always legal instead of on customs agents that are actually good at their jobs.



Just curious when you get shipped to Canada from the US is there an option to just refuse the shipment, even though that would seem like a dick move saying "oh I don't want to pay the duty on these so I don't want them", but is that an option or do you just get the bill and have to pay it, never had to deal with this so I'm kind of curious how it works in another country. Better luck in the future!

[nutcracker]

Agree with above. I'm not bashing customs - they bashed me!
Happens with everything - non- tobacco imports get hit with GST - but the "sin" tax really hurts.

[AdamJoshua]

Oh sorry then I misunderstood the topic, that being said can you refuse shipments and not pay the "wicked" duties on items?

[Sweet_Leaf_PDX]

For this very reason - I have a friend who will drive down from Vancouver with an empty suitcase and only one day worth of clothes. Then return with a full suitcase full of new clothes that have all been worn and washed one time

The taxes up there are rough.

[nutcracker]

I suppose you can't have your cake and eat it.

I for one enjoy universal healthcare, but do recognize a massive chunk of those dollars are from tobacco related illnesses. Having said that, I sit in a tax bracket of 46%, add on 14% GST, sin tax on tobacco and alcohol, and one starts to moan.
I complain even more when large corporations make out like bandits paying 26% and padding their expense accounts.

Said moaning is totally unjustified, given the absolute comfort in which I get to live. (compared to from whence I came in Africa.)

So - you guys down South can envy our legally acquired (expensive) CC's and we will envy your more affordable NCC's. Like I said - can't have your cake and eat it!

Just venting with the BOTL.

Sigh.

Light another....

[Porch Dweller]

The Koreans and their custom of taking off shoes when entering a restaurant. Like I want to smell the stank feet of the folks eating dinner with me!


Um...oh...ah...I think I misinterpreted the thread title.

[The Poet]

Originally Posted by Porch Dweller

The Koreans and their custom of taking off shoes when entering a restaurant. Like I want to smell the stank feet of the folks eating dinner with me!

Order kimchi.