Non-americans who have ordered over the internet;

[Millow]

This is for the non-americans who have ordered cigars over the internet from countries other then their own.

What happens with the tax? Are you made to pay your area's tax when they are delivered, or does it just get overlooked?

[stelford]

Originally Posted by Millow

This is for the non-americans who have ordered cigars over the internet from countries other then their own.

What happens with the tax? Are you made to pay your area's tax when they are delivered, or does it just get overlooked?

Haha! *wipes tears of laughter away* sorry, but, boy, are you day-dreaming Up here in Canada, -any- tobacco product which crosses the border by post (eg; not in your 'duty-free' when your coming back from vacation) will be taxed at a flat rate of $6 Cdn or 45% -per- -cigar-.

So, that bundle of 25 cigars that cost you $40 dollars, will cost you $170 (approx) when coming up via post from the states.

Yeah, if you want to complain about this, your not the only one. All I can suggest is either writing to your local mp OR go on a two day trip down to Niagara

[DownUnder LLG]

Unfortunately we have nasty taxes here too. Although if they are declared as something else and not picked up... cruzin
Australian customs are a bit more leanient than in Canada perhaps. Last I heard we get an allowance of 3 tobacco gifts per quarter year, I just can't remember up to what weight, I think 250grms. Otherwise if caught it is $256/kg of tobacco.

[Lumpold]

Here in the UK we have a weird law... if the value of the item is less than £20 on a commercial item or £40 on a gift, it'll come through no tax... anything over and they'll charge you all relevant taxes. So cigars end up with some extorionate rate on them. Fingers crossed, it hasn't happened to me yet.

[ml_]

Originally Posted by stelford

So, that bundle of 25 cigars that cost you $40 dollars, will cost you $170 (approx) when coming up via post from the states.

That always struck me as very anti-NAFTA. What is the point of free trade if rather than imposing a tariff on the import you just put a tax on the purchase?

[Lumpold]

I'm not sure I understand what you are trying to say... when buying cigars from the internet you have paid NO tax on the price you see from an american vendor if you are out side the US. Neither the US governement or the Canadian government get cash from that sale. Canadian law, however, states the the Canadian Authorites have the right to claim tax from any tobacco purchase a Canadian Ctizen makes, if this is done within Canada then it's automatically put on the sales price, if it's from abroad, the first Canadian Customs know of it is when the package turns up for clearing at customs, and they charge based on the declared value or amount of tobacco. It is simply the process of Canada's ruling elect collecting any fees they feel they are due. In NO WAY does this affect the free-trade between North American countries. I'm sure there are similar laws governing the import of goods into the US.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by ml_

That always struck me as very anti-NAFTA. What is the point of free trade if rather than imposing a tariff on the import you just put a tax on the purchase?

Probably to help fund their subsidized healthcare programs.

Originally Posted by DownUnder LLG

Unfortunately we have nasty taxes here too. Although if they are declared as something else and not picked up... cruzin

Jason, how do you suggest we package and label any boxes destined for Australia if we want to avoid any extra tariffs?

[chabber]

Originally Posted by stelford

Haha! *wipes tears of laughter away* sorry, but, boy, are you day-dreaming Up here in Canada, -any- tobacco product which crosses the border by post (eg; not in your 'duty-free' when your coming back from vacation) will be taxed at a flat rate of $6 Cdn or 45% -per- -cigar-.

So, that bundle of 25 cigars that cost you $40 dollars, will cost you $170 (approx) when coming up via post from the states.

Yeah, if you want to complain about this, your not the only one. All I can suggest is either writing to your local mp OR go on a two day trip down to Niagara

Actually, here in Canada it is illegal to import tobacco and alcohol via post. So, if you order it and it's found, they seize it and you don't get the product. If you cross the border yourself and come back with the product then you get charged the duty. This also applies to having it couried....

[Paroni]

Hello,

I live in Finland and here we go pretty much by the EU regulations.

Ordering from outside EU to Finland

Holiday cigars. You can bring 50 duty free cigars to Finland.
More cigars means additional taxes.

Delivery by the post or by Delivery services.

I have ordered many times from outside the EU to Finland. When you order only small quantityes, example 2-3 boxes. Customs usually overlooks the orders and you wont have to pay any extra taxes.
I have never payed extra taxes for boxes i have ordered via the internet !.

If however you decide to try to bring more than 2-3boxes and the customs catch you. The tax for cigars is 22 % of the suggested retail price.

Regular smokes like Marlboro the tax is 57,57 %

Within the EU

You can bring 75 cigars to Finland without having to pay additional taxes.

Within the EU, the company which sells or produces the cigars have to pay taxes according to what they are doing Producing or Selling.
So the customer dont have to pay the tax, again to the country where he lives at.

[Lumpold]

As Paroni states, in the UK, as long as the cigars are purchased from another member state, the local tax should be the only tax you pay... although UK Customs tend to help you lose packages if you get too many from inside the EEC.

[stelford]

Originally Posted by chabber

Actually, here in Canada it is illegal to import tobacco and alcohol via post. So, if you order it and it's found, they seize it and you don't get the product. If you cross the border yourself and come back with the product then you get charged the duty. This also applies to having it couried....

Well, yes and no. If you are importing tobacco and/or alcohol for the purposes of -reselling- without paying taxation on it, then yes, this is illegal and the goods are confiscated. If you order or are sent a present for your own personal usage of tobacco and/or alcohol, your charged the import duties but the products are not seized. Your statement about border crossing is jst 'wrong' (to be polite . You -do- have to wait 48 hours before being allowed your '50 cigars or 200 cigarettes' duty free allotment, but, this is why I stated a '2 day trip across niagara' ;P

If your wondering about the $6 flat rate or 45% (whichever is more) on personal goods in the post, this comes straight from the Canada Customs and Excise department 'Postal department'. I have had plenty of run ins with them, and I can assure you of the above

Regards
Stef

[canadasmokes]

why does the canadian government have to be so greedy with their cigar tax? Gotta move to the us i guess

[stelford]

Originally Posted by canadasmokes

why does the canadian government have to be so greedy with their cigar tax? Gotta move to the us i guess

Heck with that, jst move to a quite sleepy little town north of the border in Alberta, most of the border -is- unmanned remember ;>