Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001 11:16:36 -0600
Reply-To: Marshall <mjruskin@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Marshall <mjruskin@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: Questions about crossing the border into Canada with rebiult
engines to show and maybe sell
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I can answer some of your questions - and give you some advice.
1. The point is, you don't want to be perceived as selling goods out of
your vehicle, like a hawker. You want to be perceived as demonstrating the
product to potential customers, and you should state to the customs
inspector that:
a. Your trip's purpose is to promote your business, but not to conduct
business;
b. the orders for the goods will come later from Canada into the US;
c. and then the product will be shipped across the border and be subject
to customs inspection etc;
d. You are not going to accept payment on this trip. This trip is just
for product promotion.
2. To help make this point, (you must do this) tag the articles as
permanently as you can with the following information:
a. "country of manufacture is USA" - (hopefuly USA or Mexico)
b. "Not for Resale"
c. "Demonstration Product Only"
3. It is helpful, to make this believable, to have some supporting
product handouts, (even if they are handmade or photocopies of a print-out)
that make clear the products are ordered via your USA address, and then will
be shipped from there somehow - not "from the back of your truck".
4. If you are truly sincere in conducting your business this way, it
helps. You will probably be taken into a small room, and they will try to
intimidate you just a bit. This is just to determine if you are sincere - if
they believe you, your vehicle may not be searched, except for examination
of your merchandise. They will look at that for certain. They have a country
to protect, and they take it seriously - so should you.
5. You must declare the goods on entry into Canada - so you have a
written record when re-entering the USA that they were with you from the
start. Otherwise, you are going to have double-trouble - problems at both
sides!
They don't like humour or jokes, as they perceive it as an attempt to
distract them from their work (they think you are nervous). So just be as
sincere, patient and as helpful as possible, and it will go smoothly.
6. It is free trade between countries that are members of the Free Trade
Agreement. If your equipment is manufactured in France, for example, it is
not subject to the free trade agreement.
7. If you have unanswered questions, it is helpful to call Canada Customs
in advance, and explain what you want to do. They will tell you what you
need to do to be in accordance with the law - it's part of their job to do
that.
8. It seems like a lot, but it is just prep work, and if you are diligent
n doing your prep work, you will just have mild butterflies at the border,
which is healthy and demonstrates that you care to the customs inspectors.
It's not too bad if you are prepared to obey the law, and are conversant
with it - just to the extent you need to be.
Regards,
Marshall Rusin
84 Westy, Winnipeg Canada
I am planning a trip into Canada in my vanagon (vanagon content) with to
visit potential Zamboni engine customers. What would be involved in crossing
the border with my products as goods not yet sold but very well could be
sold. When I get to the border Is there a duty to be paid or a bond that
would need to be posted. I don't want to find out the hard way by showing up
at the border when they start asking questions like anything to declare? I
don't want to spend the day at the border crossing while they try to decide
if I am braking the law
and why do they call it free trade
any thoughts or insights
Bob Donalds
Boston Engine
