Wondering about America to Canada customs.

SirSchmoopy111 · Oct 11, 2015

So I live in Canada, and I'm looking to purchase some knives online, and I was wondering what the laws regarding knives leaving America, and entering Canada are (specifically traveling to the province of Alberta). Any help would be appreciated.

grybsh7 · Oct 11, 2015

Moop go to the feedback forum (The good, The bad and The ugly) click on the arrow next to search forum box.
type in Canada shipping and numerous threads about the subject will come up.

vanslem6 · Oct 11, 2015

Through the Detroit crossing (the busiest in the country), nothing as far as I know. Folks from Windsor come over here all the time to buy stuff - they never want a bag or any packaging. Put it in your pocket, toss the box in the trash and don't declare it. When the exchange rate was in your favor (favour

), there were loads of women buying clothes here. They'd always wear stuff back across the border to avoid taxes.

Steely Dan · Oct 11, 2015

I just bought a couple knives and a couple sheaths from Knifecenter 2 weeks ago. I got nailed for $39 Canadian in duties on a $235usd order. I've only been charged duties on 3 online orders into Canada from the U.S out of a dozen or more! It's hit and miss. Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you.

Danke42 · Oct 11, 2015

The "law" is that stuff that's illegal in Canada can't be bought in the USA. So no switchblades, gravity knives, or bali-songs or variations.

Further it appears that the CBSA is trying to socially engineer any flipper blade out of existence. There is a perceived very high seizure rate for that kind of knife despite the fact you can buy them in Canadian Tire etc. without issues.

For tax and duty the keys to having it clear with no extra charges are for the value to stay low, under a couple hundred USD and for it to ship via USPS. If you get something $500 via FedEx or UPS you'll get dinged the full tax and duty charges.

redcanoe · Oct 11, 2015

I must agree with Danke . Always use the postal service, best bang for the buck and no hidden charges.
Just don't forget it is the buyers responsibility to know what is legal in his country.

Grey Falcon · Oct 13, 2015

Always make sure to use USPS first of all. It's hit or miss if you will get dinged with duties, I've only ever paid them once on about 14 knife orders. Where it gets tricky is with folders as it is at the discretion of the border guy checking your package whether the knife is allowed to make it into Canada based on restrictions, I've heard a few horror stories about that.

cigarrodog · Oct 14, 2015

Danke42 said:
The "law" is that stuff that's illegal in Canada can't be bought in the USA. So no switchblades, gravity knives, or bali-songs or variations.

Further it appears that the CBSA is trying to socially engineer any flipper blade out of existence. There is a perceived very high seizure rate for that kind of knife despite the fact you can buy them in Canadian Tire etc. without issues.

For tax and duty the keys to having it clear with no extra charges are for the value to stay low, under a couple hundred USD and for it to ship via USPS. If you get something $500 via FedEx or UPS you'll get dinged the full tax and duty charges.

I would make sure that the pivot is tightened.