Question for Canadians who have ordered Vostok watches from Russia particularly Chistopolcity.com

[TimeWanderer]

When I recently received my komandirskie I realized I did not get hit with duties/taxes, which seems strange since anything imported over $20 is supposed to be charged 18% duties and taxes.

Has anyone from canada ordered say a $56 Amphibian from ChistopolCity.com or other Russian sellers and also not been taxed? Just wondering.

[mysterian]

I have not ordered anything from Chistopolcity, however I've had well over 100 watches come my way over the last year or so from various locations and with various price points. Numerous purchases have been from Russian sellers. I've been hit only 3 times with any customs charges. Twice with purchases from a UK seller and once from a US seller. Everything else has sailed through without any extra fees. Each time I was charged, the price of the goods claimed was over $200.
I do not think your experience is unusual based on my experiences. Knock on nearest available wood!

[wildpack]

Over $20 for a purchase, over $60 for a gift I believe is the "rule". From experience on RFD forums, over $30 and you have a chance of getting hit with duty/tax. I've also seen reports of "gift" packages opened, and if customs finds an invoice, the package goes back to sender.

Having said that, I have never had a non North American mail purchase declared with an truly "appropriate value". Oops, well yes, Amazon.UK declared the appropriate value on $35 Blu-Rays but it slipped by, and TimeFactors declared the appropriate value on a strap, but it was a $12 purchase.

For myself, I just ship to US and then go on a mini-holiday. Two days and I'm good for 2 X $800 tax free legally.

Duty on watches is 5%, HST (in Ontario) is 13%. So really, for 18%, an item has to be worth how much to just pay for that customs/clerks time and government benefits? The Border Security people have certainly done the calculation .

[Stargazer1]

I recently received my Vostok (not ordered from Chistopolcity) and the declared value written on the package was $15. No duty or taxes charged.

[TimeWanderer]

I suppose the declared value is the replacement value for seller and not what the buyer actually pays.

[wildpack]

I suppose the declared value is the replacement value for seller and not what the buyer actually pays.

Yeah,... yeah, that's what it is.