[quote=flu]
Actually, many canadians at the border do just this. They get all their auto repair, big purchases done in the States to escape all the VAT/provicial taxes. Of course, they have to be careful about re-entry into canada, because if it’s so obvious, they end up paying customs at the border.
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When I was a kid my dad used to get auto body work, and car paint jobs down in TJ. He got busted and had to pay taxes once, when crossing the border – the border patrol agent smelled the fresh paint on the beat old Ford Cortina.
I lived in Bellingham for 3 years. (US side, just south of Vancouver, BC). The mall there, Bellis Fair, used to ask customers if they needed/wanted the bags/shoe boxes, etc… It was a policy developed after realizing all the Canadian shoppers were dumping the tags/bags/boxes in the parking lot.
I was there 2 weeks ago visiting friends. I asked if the malls were still overrun with Canadians shopping – the answer was no – the exchange rate precludes it. (I lived there in the early 90’s). They still come into Blaine for cheap gas though.
People will go to measures to save sales taxes – but there’s always a risk of being caught. My dad learned that the hard way. I’ve had to pay duty when bringing wine back from Italy… The government will try to collect. (This was pre-9/11 when you could carry liquids on a plane as carry on.)
