I made a deal on a pin from a seller in New york state and this person is willing to drive it over the boarder for me (part of the deal), has anyone done this?
Can it be done with out Canada customs giving him a had time? after all it still is his pin when he comes over the boarder. I don't want to get him in trouble and need to be fair to him . If I have to pay tax I am about $600 away from buying it NIB.
I would value any help and advice
Thanks.

Canada customs will hit up a Canadian bringing a machine up everytime. Don't know what they will do with an American coming up but I suspect the same. I just take my lumps and sleep at night but...

Isn't he bringing it up to put in a show or for repair?

If he declares that he's bringing the machine to stay in Canada, he'll likely get a great big hassle at the border and might get turned back. Without the proper import documentation in hand, a non-resident of Canada can't clear goods for import through customs. Whenever I've taken a a machine to the US for whatever reason, I always explain to customs that it's a show piece and my prized possession and that I would never consider selling it.

Bringing to a show or for repair sounds good.
Has any one done this??
I can give him a copy of the Canadian Pinball Turnament flyer he can show at the border!!

I've done it a few times going the other way. Never had a problem.

Thanks sounds good.

If you bring the machine in, and claim its for the show, you shouldn't have a problem.  Stop in at US customs, and ask them for "The form that allows you to return into the states with the machine, so that there isn't a problem as its US goods".  In Canada, we call it a green card.. cause its green.. and its a card.  When you hit Canada Customs, you just tell them its coming back to the US when the show is done.  Explain its also personal property.  If the officer is a private head, you'll have to post a 7% bond on it.   I will try to remember to look up what that card is called on Monday.

Its a pain in the butt for a US citizen to come into Canada after selling something.  If there was anyway for you to walk over and come back with him, or meet him at customs, the worse they will do is ding you for 13% (PST/GST) of the price you paid for.. and remember you got a really good deal for it.

If I was you, I would meet him in the states, put the machine in my car and cross the border myself. With a bill of sale that state both your name and address and his name and address, you will pay your taxes and that's it. I've done it a few times myself. But the amount you put on the bill of sale must be logical, they are not stupid: If you put something like $100 for an almost new machine, they will question you a little longer...

Quoted Text

If you put something like $100 for an almost new machine, they will question you a little longer...

and they won't use vaseline when they do question you...

yes i have had several people bring gam,es over from the states and they have always been hasled and had to pay . Also when bringing oover yourself be logical , i have purchased several new games from the states and cliamed $2800 and never been hassled but a guy i know claimed a nib game as $500 and they looked up e bay and mr pinball and hammered him.

Thanks for all of your inputs.
The pin I am looking at is FGY that I am buying it for $3200 US with aprox. 100 plays I will pay for this person gas +- $150 if I have to pay tax and still exchange to keep in mind and put the seller through a bunch of trouble I might as well wait for one the come up local or spend a bit more and buy NIB.  

Quoted from tomcat

Thanks for all of your inputs.
The pin I am looking at is FGY that I am buying it for $3200 US with aprox. 100 plays I will pay for this person gas +- $150 if I have to pay tax and still exchange to keep in mind and put the seller through a bunch of trouble I might as well wait for one the come up local or spend a bit more and buy NIB.  

Sounds like you are still way ahead even if you claim full tax. 3350 x 1.07 (exchange) x 1.13 (full tax) = $4,050.49. Of course, you won't pay tax on the shipping. I just included that to make it simple. He could also claim $2,800 or so and reduce your tax. Regardless you are way ahead of NIB which is $5,100 from Starburst with taxes in.

Duane

I had my Fish Tales delivierd from the US by the owner.  He didn't have any problems from what I understand.  Never mentioned anything to me about having to pay taxes or anything.  I think he might hae said he was just deliving it or something, I have no idea.  

Quoted from ALJO

If you really want the game with no trouble you should go pick it up on the U.S. side or meet the guy at the boarder, I've done this many times with no trouble what so ever, but when I tried bringing a game to a guy that was in the U.S., then I've had tons of trouble, plus the last time I did it, they said that they were getting stricter on these cases, boy did I regret that one . NEVER AGAIN.  

You were dealing with US customs though, this guy will be dealing with Canadian customs. Our guys are nicer, and aren't armed.