Declaring Engagement ring (split)

[kenikki 26]

I couldn't find any solid information in regards to declaring an engagement ring online, so I called CBSA and spoke to a senior officer. Before I even finished saying, "engagement ring," he blurted out, "YOU HAVE TO DECLARE IT!" I told him I understood that, but was wary of doing so since there is NO information on it. I wouldn't want to show up at the border and be charged a ridiculous amount without them being able to explain why. He still could not direct me to any solid information, but did advise the following:

- Convert the USD value to CAD;

- Pay 6.5% duty on the value in CAD; and

- Pay 13% tax based on the province I am in.

So basically it would cost a ridiculous amount to bring the ring back to Canada

He did say that it would be better for me to bring the ring back into C

[Ontarkie 14,231]

~~Post split to it's own thread.~~

[Lemonslice 4,859]

3 hours ago, kenikki said:

I couldn't find any solid information in regards to declaring an engagement ring online, so I called CBSA and spoke to a senior officer. Before I even finished saying, "engagement ring," he blurted out, "YOU HAVE TO DECLARE IT!" I told him I understood that, but was wary of doing so since there is NO information on it. I wouldn't want to show up at the border and be charged a ridiculous amount without them being able to explain why. He still could not direct me to any solid information, but did advise the following:

- Convert the USD value to CAD;

- Pay 6.5% duty on the value in CAD; and

- Pay 13% tax based on the province I am in.

So basically it would cost a ridiculous amount to bring the ring back to Canada

He did say that it would be better for me to bring the ring back into C

They explain exactly which documents to bring - you still have to find information if you want to pay the accurate duty: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/declare-eng.html#_s5 

 

You can ask about temporary importation; I have done it for goods that I brought to Canada but that would leave, with me, on my onward destination.   Was very easy, however I was not a resident at that time, so might have helped - I could see that for them, there is no guarantee that you will emigrate from Canada at this time. 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2017 by Lemonslice

[kenikki 26]

11 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

They explain exactly which documents to bring - you still have to find information if you want to pay the accurate duty: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/declare-eng.html#_s5 

 

You can ask about temporary importation; I have done it for goods that I brought to Canada but that would leave, with me, on my onward destination.   Was very easy, however I was not a resident at that time, so might have helped - I could see that for them, there is no guarantee that you will emigrate from Canada at this time. 

 

 

 

 

I asked him about temporary importation. I had read somewhere that since I would eventually be moving to the US (where the ring was purchased) that I may be able to apply to be refunded the duties I paid upon entering into Canada. He said he had never heard of that and I would not be getting reimbursed for any reason.

 

And I believe the link that you provided is referencing jewelry that you owned before your travels. 

Edited December 16, 2017 by kenikki

[Lemonslice 4,859]

How much is your ring worth? Most rings are under $2K - so that would not be that much money to pay for the pleasure to wear it.  

 

If not, just leave it in the US and wear a plain band in lieu. Or call back CBSA, my interactions with their call center have been more informative than yours (did you call 506-636-5064?) - maybe I got lucky. 

 

ETA: Temporary import: I paid nothing, however I had to present the goods as I exited the country. 

Edited December 16, 2017 by Lemonslice

[kenikki 26]

Based on the Duty and Taxes Estimator (https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html), the estimated duty and taxes would be over $1000. Even with my $800 exemption, I'd still be paying $200+. I do not trust that the amount would be any less if I did bring the ring back.

 

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d8/d8-1-4-eng.html

 

Guidelines and General Information

1. Certain goods may be temporarily imported into Canada for a specified period, under conditions that are outlined in the following memoranda:

• (a) Memorandum D2-1-1, Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances by Non-residents;
• (b) Memorandum D2-1-2, Foreign Scientific or Exploratory Expeditions in Canada;
• (c) Memorandum D2-1-3, Temporary Importation of Wedding Presents, Engagement Rings, and Wedding Rings;
• (d) Memorandum D2-2-1, Settlers' Effects – Tariff Item No. 9807.00.00;
• (e) Memorandum D2-2-3, Importation of Goods by Seasonal Residents;
•  Memorandum D2-3-4, Release of Personal Effects of Canadian Armed Forces Personnel;
• (g) Memorandum D2-4-1, Temporary Importation of Conveyances by Residents of Canada;
• (h) Memorandum D2-6-4, Travellers' Baggage Procedures;
• (i) Memorandum D3-1-5, International Commercial Transportation;
• (j) Memorandum D3-7-1,CBSA Marine Operations – Cargo Containers Used in International Service;
• (k) Memorandum D8-1-1, Amendments to Temporary Importation (Tariff Item No. 9993.00.00) Regulations;
•  Memorandum D8-1-9, Imported Demonstration Aircraft Remission Order;
• (m) Memorandum D19-12-1, Importation of Vehicles;
• (n) Memorandum D19-13-2, Importing and Exporting Firearms, Weapons and Devices;
• (o) Memorandum D21-3-1, Goods Imported by Designated Foreign Countries, Military Service Agencies and Institutions – Tariff Item No. 9810.00.00;
• (p) Memorandum D21-3-4, Remission of Customs Duties and Taxes on Automobiles Purchased in Canada by Certain Members of NATO
  and British Commonwealth Armed Services; and
• (q) Memorandum D21-4-3, Visiting Forces Personnel Tariff Item No. 9827.00.00.

Engagement/wedding rings being the only memo to NOT have a link to further info.

[Lemonslice 4,859]

I guess it depends on how much it is worth to you to wear it; $200 is not much.  Worth it for you - then you pay and get to enjoy and flaunt your ring; not worth it? You can just leave it with your fiancé for now. 

[NikLR 13,227]

They ended up waiving the duty on both my rings for my husband due to a nice CBSA officer.  But I think both of mine together were under 2k and he brought them in separately.  

[Lemonslice 4,859]

11 minutes ago, NikLR said:

They ended up waiving the duty on both my rings for my husband due to a nice CBSA officer.  But I think both of mine together were under 2k and he brought them in separately.  

Just checked with my husband and they also waived the duty; engagement ring value was not that high (I am more into brick and mortar kind of person - I got us a cabin instead of fancy diamonds).

[pajobra 1,395]

When I declared mine at the border the guy asked how much the ring was and I said under 200 american and he said pbbt no worries go through. LOL I am glad I didn't want anything flashy as well that is not me. 

[skaratso 84]

There seems to be a lot of inconsistency with which the rules are applied when it comes to engagement rings.

 

Last year when I took my wife back to Canada a few weeks after proposing to her when we stopped at the border the guard asked if she had anything she was bringing back to Canada with her. She was prepared with a list of everything, and stated she was declaring her engagement ring as well. I asked him if I could pay the duty for her since she did not know how much the ring cost and I wanted it to remain a secret from her.

 

He asked why we wanted to pay the duty on the ring. We stated that it was the rules. He asked if I was moving to Canada to be with her and I told him no. "So then she's not coming back here to stay. When she leaves she'll be taking the ring with her, so technically she's not importing it to Canada." In the end she didn't have to pay any duties or taxes on the ring.

 

We suspect that part of it had to do with the fact that we were crossing the border at 11:30 at night and he didn't want to have to deal with the paperwork. Haha.

[NikLR 13,227]

@skaratso I'm going to guess paperwork was also not in that person's plan that night.  Sometimes you get lazy or nice CBSA officers.   It's nice.

[Lemonslice 4,859]

1 hour ago, NikLR said:

@skaratso I'm going to guess paperwork was also not in that person's plan that night.  Sometimes you get lazy or nice CBSA officers.   It's nice.

Same when entering the US 😁

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Am I the only person who didn't feel an ounce of guilt not declaring my engagement ring? My now husband asked me to marry him on one of my trips there. I came down ringless and returned home with a ring - how on earth would the Canadian border patrol have had any idea whether I left Canada with one a few days before? To be fair - i moved permanently to the US 10+ yrs ago so it all came full circle.

 

[Ontarkie 14,231]

19 hours ago, Udella&Wiz said:

Am I the only person who didn't feel an ounce of guilt not declaring my engagement ring? My now husband asked me to marry him on one of my trips there. I came down ringless and returned home with a ring - how on earth would the Canadian border patrol have had any idea whether I left Canada with one a few days before? To be fair - i moved permanently to the US 10+ yrs ago so it all came full circle.

 

Same here no guilt what so ever.