Whats the deal with importing plasma to Canada from USA?

[Robmx]

Just curious what im looking at for duty , taxes and such... Plasmas are even less then half of what they are here in Canada... Paying $500 in duty, I believe I would still come out ahead !

[Trix]

You can look at specifics through http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html to see if there's anything different for electronics.

The very minimum you can expect to pay is GST, so 5% tax on your way in. If you're coming into Canada through a province that charges a provincial tax, you will pay that as well. So, for Ontario or Quebec, you're looking at 13% duty on your way in. I think Alberta you would only pay 5%, but I'm not sure for the rest of the provinces.

Also keep in mind that your warranty will be technically null and void once you cross into Canada, at least in so far as receiving on-site service (I cannot say that the warranty will not be upheld, as I've never run into the problem; but technically speaking, warranties are country-specific). Further (though I've never seen it actually be a problem), electronics sold in the US do not go through Canadian Safety Association (CSA) testing; I'm told that this means that if it causes any damage/harm, your insurance company can deny compensation. Like I said, I've never seen it actually be a problem.

As an additional random note, I was told by a CSA representative that their testing is specifically one of the reasons that electronics prices are so much higher on this side of the border. It's kind of Canadian that a tax-dollar-funded government agency drives up prices of goods on our side of the border, isn't it? Again, this is hearsay based a CSA employee, but I'm willing to believe, since it sounds quite like the Canadian way!

[Robmx]

It just blows my mind when I see a Panny Plasma 50 inch S series for 1000 american but yet over here its 2499, crazy difference and might be worth the hassle going through it all in the end !

[allstar780]

Where are you shopping? That's $800 more than the highest I've seen it recently... I usually see the 50" S for $1400-$1700

[BLUCanadian]

the 54" is $2300 at FS
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...&test_cookie=1

[CasualKiller]

Originally Posted by Robmx

Just curious what im looking at for duty , taxes and such... Plasmas are even less then half of what they are here in Canada... Paying $500 in duty, I believe I would still come out ahead !

Actually if you go with Panasonic they are assembled in Mexico so they would be covered under NAFTA. You could bring in a display for only tax + shipping.