Duty on Collector car.

[AirCooledRules]

I have read on here numerous times about not having to pay duty on cars that are over 25 years old. I just purchased a great car in Washington and would love to save 6.1%. I know people who have imported cars/parts over 25 years old and everyone has paid duty, so im wondering if this will be difficult to bring into Canada.

Any advice is appreciated! cant wait for the new car.

[bwaz]

do a search on the topic, there was lots said. I had to pay it, but sent a form in because of a screwup at the border and got it all back.
b.waz

[josh]

do a search on the topic, there was lots said. I had to pay it, but sent a form in because of a screwup at the border and got it all back.
b.waz

me too

[Bruce]

. I know people who have imported cars/parts over 25 years old and everyone has paid duty,

Then everyone you know is quite ignorant of the regulations.  So are many customs officers.
The reason everyone is getting refunds is because the guys who work at customs head office know what they are doing.

When you are at the border with your 25+ year old car, regardless of what country in the world it was made, do not settle for paying duty.  If the guy wants to charge duty, ask to speak to someone else.

[hellgti]

When you are at the border with your 25+ year old car, regardless of what country in the world it was made, do not settle for paying duty.  If the guy wants to charge duty, ask to speak to someone else.

anyone who's spent any time at customs will know it's easier to just pay it and file for a refund than to argue about it with an inspector.  More than likely instead of actually getting someone else for you to speak to they'll tell you its the point of entry officer's discretion on if you are going to be paying duty or not.  I didn't pay duty when I brought in my '64, and the inspector was quite nice and polite.  But thats rare.

[Bruce]

..... they'll tell you its the point of entry officer's discretion on if you are going to be paying duty or not. 

Whether you pay duty or not depends on the law.  An officer's "discretion" doesn't enter into it.  The officers have to follow the regulations spelled out in the custom's act.  They don't get to make up the rules.  There are times when they are allowed to let you out of paying the duty you would normally be obligated to pay.  The opposite is never true.

I've never had to pay duty where it wasn't warranted.  Whenever the customs officer makes a mistake and wants to charge duty on my old car stuff, I've never had any problems convincing them of their error.  Sounds like you give up too easy.  Be extremely polite, but persistent.

[hellgti]

..... they'll tell you its the point of entry officer's discretion on if you are going to be paying duty or not. 

Sounds like you give up too easy. 

rofl, great assumption.  But you proved my point.  Sometimes they won't charge you duty on something that requires duty be paid.  Sometimes they'll charge you on something that doesn't.  Being polite but persistant has absolutly nothing to do with it.  The problem with most people is that they show up to the border unprepared.  Have all your paperwork, back up paperwork, proof, reciepts, etc, and you shouldn't even need to open your mouth.

[Bruce]

..... they'll tell you its the point of entry officer's discretion on if you are going to be paying duty or not. 

Sounds like you give up too easy. 

  Sometimes they'll charge you on something that doesn't. 

It must be you then.  I have never paid duty on anything that was supposed to be duty free.

[hellgti]

..... they'll tell you its the point of entry officer's discretion on if you are going to be paying duty or not. 

Sounds like you give up too easy. 

  Sometimes they'll charge you on something that doesn't. 

It must be you then.  I have never paid duty on anything that was supposed to be duty free.

neither have I.  so no, it's not me.  But if you want to argue my advise to the original poster, by all means, keep quoting me.

[slammedbus]

This is great. Hey Bruce, I heard Dan called you a butthead......and Dan I heard Bruce say he was going to kick your a$$. Sweet.... ok... keep going.

[bwaz]

So call me a conformist, but when they weren't going to let me cross the broder into Canada, make me turn around and leave the truck,trailer and car in Sumas, I gladly paid the duty and went ahead. Sometimes it's easier in the long run to get out with your tail between your legs, but have the car and paperwork in hand. I'll eat my pride and wait a couple of weeks for a refund on the cash....   Border Guards have discretion to do an Anal Cavity check, is it wrong? Tough, they can do it if they feel your acting suspicious or being an A-Hole demanding there's no duty. To each their own! My butt isn't chafed from cold gloves!

[70's Looker]

My butt isn't chafed from cold gloves!

why does every border topic always end with this sentence?