UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SS Dagger Forum Import of SS daggers to Canada

Hi guys:
Has anyone had problems with Canada Customs in terms of trying to bring an SS dagger from the US into Canada?
-Rottmann60

Done it many times but there are ways to do it properly.
It is legal to import Third Reich artifacts but what is illegal, is NOT to declare the real value of the items.
However, none of us really do as we have to pay Custom taxes up to 13% for some of us.
That said, on your invoice simply write a minimal value of about $ 100, say that it is a "reproduction" and/or that it is a "decorative object".
I have used it for years and never had any problems getting my stuff to Montreal.
Hope this help.

Hi, yes, thanks for the response and for the tips. I have a couple of means of legally getting items across the Border; I'll just have to figure out the best one.
Of course, it would be A LOT easier if I could find an SS dagger for sale in Canada. Any suggestions??
-Rottmann60

How is getting daggers accross the boarder the other way, Canada to USA?
Rottmann, try Paul at www.lakesidetrader.com .One of the best dealers around.

Wow.. Any dealer that has to avoid paying taxes is not a dealer to buy from. I'm sure glad you live in kanuk land and not the United States of America..

I guess everyone who trades internationally uses Pats method, I know all the major US dealers do when sending stuff to Euroland, the only thing that ever troubled me when waiting for an item from the States was 'what if it goes missing and its only valued at $50', where do you stand with regards to claiming from the courier, probably in quicksand.
This of course does not apply to UK buyers getting stuff from within the EU as there is no VAT to pay.

Nolan

Gentlemen, this is a really interesting subject, one that I have gone into in the UK is some depth.
While you may think as a US dealer that labeling a package containing edged weapons as 'Old Wall decorator;and sending off to Euroland is fine and dandy, in fact the UK purchaser is often whacked for a much higher rate of duty when the goods are delivered.
Labeling the package as ' Old Wall decorator' or similar, can and does cause UK Customers to get hit with 17.5% VAT (value added tax) and at least 1.7% Duty, both payable to the courier (at the doorstep) on receipt of the goods. When I purchased a superb Puma HJ from a respected US dealer; it came with the usual 17.5% VAT and a whopping 12.7% Duty! I paid the courier but immediately queried this with British Customs. The reason for this was that in the absence of a more complete item description on the package or a Customs code, the authorities make an assumption on what is the correct taxation bracket for the item.

Some surprising points here; firstly, it appears there is no stigma whatsoever attached to collecting Third Reich artifacts as far as British Customs are concerned, so we collectors are not being penalised for our area of interest. Secondly, after a long discussion with a customs officer it transpired that the increased rate I had been hit with for the Puma HJ, was due to some sort of competitive trade situation that existed at the time between Europe and the US, and was actually wholly inappropriate for items of genuine historical interest, edged or otherwise.
'Genuine historical interest ' in British Customs terms is defined as "having demonstrable provenance, i.e date stamped or with documentation, known history or supported by expert testimony, i.e confirmation that the item is genuine from an authoritative source such as a registered dealer". This is fact.

In practice, Customs are satisfied with the items ' historical ' status if the package is marked with the correct numerical code. and to my knowledge rarely ask for more than that although there could I imagine , be the occasional spot check.If you don't state that the goods are items of historical interest the assumption may be that the goods are new 'gift' related which carries a much higher duty. I learnt this to my cost on no less than 3 high value purchases from the US.

This 'Items of Historical Interest code' was 97050000790 in this case, obtainable in the UK via 2 telephone calls to different customs departments.(check this number though if you are a UK buyer, it may have changed as I haven't purchased high value items overseas for a while. (I can give you the contact phone numbers). The code should be clearly marked on the package along with a brief item description , i.e "Historic ceremonial Cutlery" , and the recipient will then only be charged the following:

- Courier clearance fee (Parcel Force take over responsibility for shipments as they enter UK VAT) �13.50 GBP Flat fee
- Value Added Tax ; at 1.7 %
- ZERO excise duty

Again, these figures are a couple of years old but if you are a UK purchaser , ring customs, they are very helpful.

I used this method in when I purchased an SS Nickel silver enlisted buckle from a respected Canadian based dealer, describing the item as " 1 Historic Buckle " and it worked fine, my total import costs being �24.44 GBP on a $410 item.

Also , when I wrote and pointed out the duty error on the Puma HJ purchased from yourself, I received a full refund for the difference between the correct amount I should have been charged and the incorrect amount based on the 'assumed' category, in this case that sum was �46.00 GBP, approx $81.00 USD

The bottom line is that sometimes the 'Old Wall decorator' approach will work but the three experiences I had prove it is a lottery. At the doorstep, or parcel depot your only choice is to pay up or reject the delivery.If you use my method the big plus is that you can happily declare full value and rest assured your highly valued item will be properly insured while in transit.

I know the original thread related to importation to Canada but the situation with customs cannot be that different, my experience is be open, talk to them and they are immensely helpful (ref my refund) if they catch you out trying to dodge duty they'll take an interest in you in the future.

There is more detail than I have captured here but I hope this helps, if anyone wants to know more just shout.

Regards KM

Not everyone I hope Mr Nolan.
I would hate to think all the dealers in the collecting community are thieves. If you refuse to pay your taxes in my country you are a crook and your a-- will end up in jail. Maybe it does'nt bother people that they are stealing from there own country.
Randal

If you want to buy in Canada, you would be hard pressed to find a better dealer than Paul Hogle at www.lakesidetrader.com
He is based in Ontario.

I find his prices are very high compared with some!!!!
Seiler (yank in UK)

Doug:

I believe that he prices at a level below that of the 1st tier guys, like the two Toms, but higher than you would pay to a collector.

Randal:

I hear you and believe that, if everyone paid their fair share, out overall taxes and our countries' finances would be better off. Why do you think that so many transactions at our military shows are in cash? And I would feel way better about paying my taxes if some idiots in government wouldn't do silly things like spending $25 million to DESIGN a foot bridge in my fair city.

Cheers,

John

quote:

Originally posted by Randal:
Wow.. Any dealer that has to avoid paying taxes is not a dealer to buy from. I'm sure glad you live in kanuk land and not the United States of America..

Randal,

I do not know you and I have never dealt with you either but your attacks are on me, and other Canadians, is uncalled for.

All I can say is, "welcome to the real world mate". I've been to every shows (SOS and Max) for the past 6 years and absolutely NO dealers have ever charged me any sorts of taxes.
This is a hobby for me and not a business.
Why should I pay taxes on some artifacts that was brought back by war veterans some 70 years ago ?
More than 70% of my daggers were privately purchased and no taxation was involved.
However, the other 30% were indeed bought from dealers and as far as I know, I have never met any dealers that will charge me any taxes.....to me, to you and to others.
As for Canadian customs, I'm Canadian and leave that to us and our conscience Mister Integrity.

BTW, don't forget to pay your taxes next time you buy a dagger at the SOS show.................I'm certain that the dealer will be happily surprised.

Big Brother is watching you !

If you trully believe in what you've just said, then every single dealer and collector at the shows are crooks and thieves. How does it feel to be the only "clean" guy at the Max ?

This thread is so stupid that I can't even believe that I've replied to it.
Jeeeeeeeeez, I must be getting old.

"Hey darling, bring me my Viagra pill".

I am sorry Pat.
I did'nt mean for it to be personal attack, and i did not mean that every canadain did'nt pay his or her taxes. I should have read my post more carefully before I posted it. As for me. Yes, if I pay cash for an item at a gun show you can be sure the dealer charges me sales tax. If it benefits my goverment, I could care less. As a highly respected member on this forum you should know admiting to tax evasion is not the best thing to do. Not to cast any enuendo, but I do believe thats how the nailed Capone. If I ship a dagger out of the country you bet your --- I declare it's value. For my sake and the buyers. I would hate to lose 3000.00 dagger I declared as a 100.00 knife. Mabye I'm goody goody. Big brother says don't shoot people or you'll land in jail, I Don't. He says pay your taxes, I Do.

Again I am sorry.

Randal.

Hi Randal,

Thanks for the explanation and no hard feelings. I'm an easy guy and never get upset but just annoyed for a very short period of time.

Sorry for the small mistunderstanding !

All the best !

Pat:

You have a new picture as your avatar. Is this being posted elsewhere?

A new arrival to the house of perfect blades?

John

Hi John,

You have a good eye !
Yes, my avatar shows my new SS Officer sword that I've received this week from Bob Iqbal.
The blade is indeed mint but haven't had the time to take some pics yet.

Will do later on.
Thanks !

quote:

Originally posted by Pat:
Hi John,

You have a good eye !
Yes, my avatar shows my new SS Officer sword that I've received this week from Bob Iqbal.
The blade is indeed mint but haven't had the time to take some pics yet.


Will do later on.
Thanks !

Will wait for the pic's too.Thats the best ss items.

I 100% agree with Pat on this one, I can�t believe how anyone in this world wants to pay tax on artefacts that was brought back by war veterans 70 years ago.
Those taxes are nothing but criminal acts in my opinion and should be avoided by all means.
I�m in this hobby for the fun and joy and not for feeding the state.
We have extremely high taxes in Sweden and its almost killing us so I refuse to pay any silly taxes if possible. I�m sure most collectors will agree.
I think most dealers are kind enough to help us collectors to avoid taxes, thank God.

Pat, your SS Officer sword is really awesome.

Sam,

quote:

Originally posted by Nakida:
We have extremely high taxes in Sweden and its almost killing us so I refuse to pay any silly taxes if possible. I�m sure most collectors will agree.

Sam,

Sam.
Isnt it free for taxes inside EU countrys if you order something from other EU lands ?

Nice Degen Pat

Regards LH

quote:

Originally posted by LH 600:

Sam.
Isnt it free for taxes inside EU countrys if you order something from other EU lands ?

Nice Degen Pat

Regards LH

Absolutely correct LH, it�s no problem inside EU, but I mostly get my stuff from US or Can.

Best,

Sam,