Custom Charges On Safety Equipment?

[3Lions]

So I'm looking at buying a helmet from the states, and I heard it mentioned on here that we may not have to pay customs/duty at the border for safety equipment. I've been looking on the government website but can't seem to find anything about it... is there any truth to this???

[collective]

I have been told that safety equipment will not be hit with customs and duty. Howver, some time ago, last year actualy, I bought a new alpha eagle form a company in the USofA. Paid a fair price and was happy. When the lid arrived at the border it was held until I paid not only customs, but duty and other charges as well. No amount of pleading with the customs people would see the safety equipment released, until I paid the additional cost. Which drove the total cost up by over $300.00. I had to contact a broker and have them process the package, pay them then have it sent to me. This whole exercise angered me and I spent a few days on the phone with our customs people. I was informed that, had this helmet ben a motercycle helmet, a skidoo helmet, a helmet to protect the noggon of those who would ride a piece of fiberglassed plywood down a handrail at city hall..well..I would not have to pay duty etc.....but as this helmet included several individual pieces ie; visors, mike, ear pieces....it was not considered as safety equipment as such and I had to pay. Well...you can imagine my confusion. But, as I have said here before, it is they who know what articles should be charged duty etc. in order to best protect us from a randome, incidious attack on our freedome! (sorry to whyne..but an oppertunity is an oppertunity).

[collective]

To answer your question, I would suggest calling a customes house and asking them.

[3Lions]

Buying an Alpha too actually, probably from the same place - Integrated Helmet Systems in North Carolina. I was going to go with Maxcraft in BC, but even if I do end up paying customs/duty it's still going to work out a few hundread bucks cheaper buying from the states.

 

I'll give customs Canada a call and see which way they want me to bend over.

[collective]

Buying an Alpha too actually, probably from the same place - Integrated Helmet Systems in North Carolina. I was going to go with Maxcraft in BC, but even if I do end up paying customs/duty it's still going to work out a few hundread bucks cheaper buying from the states.

 

I'll give customs Canada a call and see which way they want me to bend over.

 

Good plan...MAy I suggest you ask them about the individial pieces thingy...I still think I got ripped....Yes..same place and like I said, the price of the lid itself was good..the people helpful and it only took a week or so to gte it to the border...I was pleased, until our side got involved.

[Guest Angry Egg Driver]

Get the place you are buying it from to put a repair tag on it and on the shipping invoice.The company i bought my Gallet from last year from did that and no tax or duties were charged because they think you already own it.

 

Cheers

[marc]

If the company won't do that get them to send it to a buddy in the states, and then get them to put it in a different box and send it as a "gift".

[Guest JeffyG]

ditto... actually my new gallet showed up this morning a few days shy of 9 weeks after the day i phoned it in. excellent service, lh250 with hush kit, liner, yellow and dark visor, visor protector.. etc etc for 1808 canadian.

 

still heavier then i thought but not as bad as my sph 5, no duty or taxes of any sort as it was a '....repaired' helmet.

 

one other thing i have heard is that you can get the duty and taxes back from the govenrment if you have paid them because its protective equipment. i'm sure there is a form for it and a few weeks waiting but probably worth looking into... don't forget to save your paperwork for your income tax...

jeff

[Fish]

If the company won't do that get them to send it to a buddy in the states, and then get them to put it in a different box and send it as a "gift".

This is what I thought too, the 'Gift' excuse only covers up to $60.00 of the declared value, you will still have to pay duties and taxes on every dollar above $60. Trust me, I got tagged on a $500.00 'Gift' from the states just before Christmas.

[Guest heli206212]

Buying an Alpha too actually, probably from the same place - Integrated Helmet Systems in North Carolina. I was going to go with Maxcraft in BC, but even if I do end up paying customs/duty it's still going to work out a few hundread bucks cheaper buying from the states.

 

I'll give customs Canada a call and see which way they want me to bend over.

 

Hey 3lions,

 

Just a suggestion on purchasing the helmet from Safety Products. Keep in mind you may need to one day have some service or parts, etc. done on or for the helmet. I bought from Safety Products where you are looking, and the service I have received there is the worst in the industry. My experience of course.

 

But my point is if it only a lillte more expensive from Max, I would personally deal with them, because the service from Max has been great.

 

When you purchase your helmet , you must consider the support and service from where you buying it from.

 

If you search on here , you will see most guys like their Alpha helmets, but some have had poor support from Safety.

 

Anyway, just some food for thought. All the best, and it is a great helmet.

 

Take care