Hey all,
I'm going to be making a deal with a fella in the States and its a 2 for 1 deal. So I'll be dragging 2 of my pins down there and coming back with one. How does that work with taxes and border stuff etc? There's no money being exchanged either way, straight trade. What are your experiences with this kind of deal?

Thanks

Stan

I recently sold my pair of Jungle Drums Shooting Galley machines to a guy in Chicago.  He had another Maaca member deliver them on a round trip.

If you have proof that the machines were originally built in teh USA, and are therefore returning to the USA, there are no taxes or duty to bring the games into the States.  Bringing any back (again if you can prove they were built in the USA), you'll get dinged for 13% tax.  Duty will be waived if you can prove where it was built.

I'll know more this week when I pick up my GNR from Bufallo.

good luck.

Subpacket could probably help you out here.  

My limited understanding is that the fact that it is a trade doesn't change things very much, if at all.  A pin made in the U.S. does return to the U.S. for "free", but only if the new owner drgs it back into the U.S.  If you are acting as an agent for the other guy, then it has to be cleared at the border by a broker which is where a fee somewhere around $100 might occur.   In a perfect situation, you would each take turns crossing the border and bringing back your own pins.  But that may not be feasible for you both.

As someone who has traded musical instruemnts (higher end stuff) across the border, i am going to say BE WARY!

Most of mine come through the mail, so i am not dealing with border guards directly, but even Made in USA stuff you are supposed to be paying the taxes on when crossing (13%)  It used to be a tried and true method that all you did was get someone to write you a reciept for $100 (parts blegh blah blah) but border guards can easily check value of items (usually MSRP) and trying to sneak something through can leave you hurting, with a vehicle impounded!

Case adn point, i got a few effect pedals sent up from a guy in the states, came canada post.  They opened the box, and even though the items were used, and a value of $150 cdn was given (what i ACTUALLY paid too!) they looked into them, and the only canadian dealer gave them an MSRP of $500.... so they charged me 15% on 500!!!!! and the only way they would waive the fee is if i had a commercial store show an official reciept that i paid the amount i did.... it was from a private seller, so I got RAPED.

So even if you paid nothing, you'll have to consider a $ value for the machine....  and if it is too low (wonky) they may want to chat with you!

i picked up arcades from the boarder, had no issues.. just showed them the receipt , paid the duty they looked in the truck and I was off... just be honest and should be fine... in my experience..

Quoted from BIGWIG416

i picked up arcades from the boarder, had no issues.. just showed them the receipt , paid the duty they looked in the truck and I was off... just be honest and should be fine... in my experience..

Hey, you may have some more "border tales" this week( If you agree( By agree I mean coerced))

ya your suppose to call me... get on that... in fact i'll call you since i forgot.

Guys mention "paying duty". I assume you mean GST?  I just assumed there is no duty on pinball or arcade manufactured in the USA? I've never paid duty? Anyone else?

Here's the customs tariff, anyone want find where it's listed? http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2009/01-99/tblmod-eng.html