A B.C. couple says they have been shocked to find they have been being requested to pay duties on a household heirloom that was shipped again to them from a buddy in Washington state.
James Baker-Taylor and Andrea Nelson acquired married in 2024 after 10 years collectively.
Baker-Taylor’s father, Jimmy, had handed away in 2022 however he had given his son his ring that he may use for a marriage ring.
“He didn’t have loads of issues to depart me so, the ring… He gave that to me perhaps 20 years in the past,” Baker-Taylor informed International Information.
“So, that’s why we had determined to make use of that ring after which certainly one of his different rings.”
When the couple was visiting household in Washington state, Baker-Taylor took off the ring to have a bathe and forgot to place it again on.
They organized to have it insured for $500 and shipped again to their Nanaimo residence.
“After they confirmed up with the package deal, we have been very stunned to study that it was going to be $189,” Nelson mentioned.
“I used to be shocked. I used to be flabbergasted by the entire thing.”
Baker-Taylor mentioned he was shaking and really upset concerning the course of.
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The couple refused to pay the charges, which included authorities prices and a brokerage price. UPS is now holding the package deal in Canada till the charges are paid.
“We have been informed verbally there’s an obligation, a tariff, and a brokerage price,” Baker-Taylor mentioned.
“All of it involves $189. The taxes appear foolish to me. There’s no buy, it’s not a sale, not an merchandise being taxed. Brokerage? It’s not a valuable merchandise coming over as a commodity, which I believe is the rationale for brokerage. We’ve solely been defined these items verbally by an individual throughout a counter so it’s obscure.”
In a press release, the Canada Border Companies Company (CBSA) mentioned it collects responsibility and taxes on private (non-commercial) items imported into Canada.
“Beneath sure circumstances, bequests of non-public and family items could also be imported by residents of Canada as duty- and tax-free,” the assertion learn.
“On the time of importation, the importer should present documentation to attest to the circumstances of the bequest. The documentation offered should adequately describe the products being imported and determine the importer as a beneficiary of the property.”
CBSA mentioned the prime doc used for this function is a duplicate of the deceased particular person’s will. If there isn’t any will then a signed and dated assertion from the donor, transferring possession of the merchandise, could also be used.
“If importing items by courier for private use, the courier could account for the cargo and gather any relevant duties and taxes from the importer,” CBSA mentioned.
“Couriers or customs brokers might also cost administrative charges for his or her companies, and third-party charges similar to these are usually not regulated by the Authorities of Canada.”
Baker-Taylor doesn’t have a will for his father as a result of the ring was given to him whereas his dad was nonetheless alive.
Nelson mentioned it didn’t make sense to them to pay cash to get one thing again that was already of their possession.
“Heirlooms get exchanged on a regular basis,” she mentioned.
The couple mentioned they’re sharing their story to ensure others don’t get caught in the identical loop.
“It’s a little bit of a course of that I discover unreasonable,” Baker-Taylor mentioned, “and I believe there must be some severe modifications.”
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