Origin of GEC Parts

E

Erik Norseman

Joined
Jun 9, 2017
Messages
78
Hi all,

I am wondering about the manufacture of GEC knives. Does anyone know if they are all made 100% in U.S.A., including all parts?

I'm asking because I'm curious about whether they'd be covered under NAFTA when shipping TO Canada.

Thanks!
Erik
 
I have many GEC knives shipped to Canada from US dealers. No questions asked so far. It has not caused any issues for me.

Can I ask what impact you think NAFTA would have on the product entry into Canada?

I was questioned at the border recently upon re-entry into Canada when I declared I had purchased some pocket knives. Canadian Border Services only asked if they would be prohibited knives. Were they were automatics or "flick" blades? I said they were traditional folding knives made in the USA and they said "Have a nice day."

,,,Mike in Canada
 
NAFTA and free trade isn't there to lower costs for regular folks.

For an individual you will be charged tax and duty on the import of a knife. Made in the USA or otherwise.
 
Duper said:
I have many GEC knives shipped to Canada from US dealers. No questions asked so far. It has not caused any issues for me.

Can I ask what impact you think NAFTA would have on the product entry into Canada?

I was questioned at the border recently upon re-entry into Canada when I declared I had purchased some pocket knives. Canadian Border Services only asked if they would be prohibited knives. Were they were automatics or "flick" blades? I said they were traditional folding knives made in the USA and they said "Have a nice day."

,,,Mike in Canada
Click to expand...

Hey Mike,

Good to know! I know they'd clear customs (I'd be amazed if they didn't), and I ask only because of duty fees: 100% USA or Mexico made goods are duty-free when imported into Canada.

See this ruling on what must be a Victorinox:
https://rulings.cbp.gov/hq/1994/956402.doc

It is a convoluted article, but basically shows how they decide on a ruling of country of origin.

My motivation for this post was that Canada Post wants to charge me $22.00 for a TC Barlow I just received today and I am trying to determine if they have grounds to do so.

Thanks,
Erik
 
Danke42 said:
NAFTA and free trade isn't there to lower costs for regular folks.

For an individual you will be charged tax and duty on the import of a knife. Made in the USA or otherwise.
Click to expand...

I knew NAFTA wasn't made with individuals in mind, but I thought they'd still be covered.

When you estimate duty on the Canada Customs website, you can select the country of origin and, if USA/Mex., it will estimate no duties.

I think you can see how I'm a bit confused at this, especially having had a number of things sent over from US, USA made or not, and get no duty charges. It seems like a bit of a crapshoot.

Any light that can be shed will be greatly appreciated.

Erik
 
I read recently that the Canadian government spends about $120,000,000.00 a year on the department that does the supervision and collecting of duty on items shipped to Canada from small businesses in the USA. The return on this effort is about $30,000,000.00 in duties paid.

$90,000,000.00 lost.

Great system!

,,,Mike in Canada
 
Anything over $20 is subject to taxes and duties imported through the mail or couriers. Goods marked USA or Mexico overwhelmingly have no duties due to trade agreements. Turkeys and cheese are subject to large duties but that has little to do with pocketknives tho. GST/HST and PST are collected by the post or the courier. Canada Post collects $9 or so for their end, brokerage charhes from UPS or DHL etc are significantly more. If you don't want to pay, refuse delivery and have it shipped back or buy domestically.

Edited to add - some of the woods (cocobola, rosewoods etc) GEC uses became listed on CITES in January, 2017 and require permits to import. Some other handle permits also require permits and the knives would be seized without them.
 
Travman said:
The GEC branded knives try to be 100% USA. That is why they use American elk and American Cherry for the handle choices.
Click to expand...

Do you know of any other covers from GEC that are 100% USA product?

I wonder if natural canvas micarta is made in USA?... or the linen micarta... Always wondered if the cow bone was USA product...
 
robbobus said:
Anything over $20 is subject to taxes and duties imported through the mail or couriers. Goods marked USA or Mexico overwhelmingly have no duties due to trade agreements. Turkeys and cheese are subject to large duties but that has little to do with pocketknives tho. GST/HST and PST are collected by the post or the courier. Canada Post collects $9 or so for their end, brokerage charhes from UPS or DHL etc are significantly more. If you don't want to pay, refuse delivery and have it shipped back or buy domestically.

Edited to add - some of the woods (cocobola, rosewoods etc) GEC uses became listed on CITES in January, 2017 and require permits to import. Some other handle permits also require permits and the knives would be seized without them.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks for clarification!
 
I wanted to purchase a Zippo lighter off e-Bay the other day and the seller was charging fees twice what I have paid in the past for similar items. Upon inquiry I was informed that they were including the duties and import taxes as well as GST/HST and insured shipping. The costs were practically the value of the item. To top it off the item was shipping from inside Canada. And ZIPPO is all American made.

To make this knife relevant Zippo owns Case (all American made) so I am sure the same costs could apply for a new pocket knife shipping inside Canada.

Makes it tough on the small business person and the customer with all theses fees/taxes/duties.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
Erik Norseman said:
I knew NAFTA wasn't made with individuals in mind, but I thought they'd still be covered.

When you estimate duty on the Canada Customs website, you can select the country of origin and, if USA/Mex., it will estimate no duties.

I think you can see how I'm a bit confused at this, especially having had a number of things sent over from US, USA made or not, and get no duty charges. It seems like a bit of a crapshoot.

Any light that can be shed will be greatly appreciated.

Erik
Click to expand...

The other folks have touched on most of the detail. Customs is like a fishing net, some stuff swims through that should get caught and other stuff becomes bycatch. There was a bit of a press on to ding anything coming from the US to Canada so you can pretty well expect duty on the package along with taxes and to add insult a handling charge. The whole point the blitz was too cool down online purchasing and push people back to buying from bricks and mortar inside the border. Of course that doesn't help with something like GEC that's nonexistent up here.
 
Duper said:
I wanted to purchase a Zippo lighter off e-Bay the other day and the seller was charging fees twice what I have paid in the past for similar items. Upon inquiry I was informed that they were including the duties and import taxes as well as GST/HST and insured shipping. The costs were practically the value of the item. To top it off the item was shipping from inside Canada. And ZIPPO is all American made.

To make this knife relevant Zippo owns Case (all American made) so I am sure the same costs could apply for a new pocket knife shipping inside Canada.

Makes it tough on the small business person and the customer with all theses fees/taxes/duties.

,,,Mike in Canada
Click to expand...

Case uses bone from Brazilian zebu cattle for their bone handles.
 
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