Claiming tax back for items purchased on holiday

Rommoney

This applies to Canada

I have my brother in British Colombia at the moment and was thinking of purchasing much computer equipment because of its cheaper prices and the possibility that i can claim the tax back here.

Does anyone know the details of this and how i go about it?
Is there any exceptions or clauses?

The equipment purchased will probably run into about 600 pounds.

Vancouver has GST and PST?
Can i claim both back?
where do i claim it back?
And does claiming it back open me up to UK sales tax etc?

Any answers would be most appreciated.

Thanks

nomoneytoday

Simply pick up a reclaim form in the store or at the airport and hand it into customs

Beware that you may have to pay 17.5% VAT plus computer import duties over here on top though...

Glad

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Rommoney

nomoneytoday wrote: »

Simply pick up a reclaim form in the store or at the airport and hand it into customs

Beware that you may have to pay 17.5% VAT plus computer import duties over here on top though...

So what is it?

If i pick up a reclaim tax form at the airport and fill it in will i get taxed.

Bear in mind it will be around 600 pounds worth of computer equipment he will be bringing back. Obviously i don't want to get stung with a massive tax on this equipment. So i want to know everything first.

the_little_one

On trips to canada, I have found that the airline provides you with a reclaim form on the flight, HOWEVER - I've just googled it and apparently this ceased in April 2007!
Check the link to see if it answers your questions.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/gi/notice221/notice221-e.pdf

wallacebob

Two points:
I got a refunds on my last trip, although mostly small items or expenses it does add up, get form at airport when you arrive. Don't use firms which supposedly help you, they charge commission. Fill out government form and keep all receipts to show customs when you leave Canada. The customs must sign form to say they have seen goods, etc, so you will have to go to airport early. BUT I flew at a time they were shut so had to send boarding card with form to prove I couldn't see them. Got cheque in couple of weeks.

As for computer goods, I wanted a new laptop when I was there. In the end I didn't bother. For the following reasons.
You have to pay VAT when you get back, difficult to hide new computer! You will have no warranty in EU if purchased in N.America. The software will be N.American. The voltage will have to be easily changeable. Power leads will be wrong plug. How do you carry it on board?

M4RKM

software N.American isn't an issue, just select, English (British) when you first turn it on

Most things are multi voltage nowadays, so again that doesn't apply, and as for a power lead, £1 from ebay...

Indout96

You have to pay VAT when you get back,

Only if you tell them

difficult to hide new computer

Just put it in a laptop bag and sling it on your shoulder, not hard at all.

How do you carry it on board?

Same way you normally carry a laptop :rotfl:

Indout96

You buy the goods and have to pay tax to start with then you just claim it back afterwards. When we have been to Canada we have just picked up the forms at shops and posted these off with the receipts, cheque just comes back through the post. (there is a box to tick to select £, make sure you do this or your bank will not be kind with the conversion charges)

arnie&caseysma!

As per post 5 I think this may have stopped now. We went to Ontario in 2004 and were able to reclaim then, however, we go again this month - fly out tomorrow!!! and a quick google showed that the reclaim had stopped.

I don't know if it varies from Province to province but check it out before you go.

It used to be that you bought all the items, picked up a form (they were in shops, hotels, at airport etc), and went to the customs office at the airport before checking in as they asked to see some of the items purchased. Once you get home post off the form and wait on your money coming back!

IamJen

If you're really spending a good bit, you might also consider driving to the States. Bellingham's only an hour away, but is fairly small. Seattle's only 2-3 hours. The sales tax there is 6.5% versus 12% that you're going to pay in Canada, and it's likely that (in Seattle at least) you're going to get a lower starting price.

You'll have to figure in petrol prices too, of course.

Here's some info about reclaiming the GST:
http://www.vec.ca/english/2/taxrefund.cfm