US Customs procedures for bringing games in from Canada.

Zennmaster

Active member

Donor 2015
Joined
May 14, 2015
Messages
883
Reaction score
37
Location
Portland, Oregon
US Customs procedures for bringing games in from Canada.

Hi All!

In the very near future, a good friend and I will be taking an epic road trip from Portland, Oregon, USA to Vancouver Island in BC. The excuse for the adventure is to pick up a game that I am quite excited about.

What I have never done is brought a came into the US from Canada. Is this something that is particularly difficult or expensive to do? I've never actually brought anything back that was more expensive than a sweastshirt, and have never been stopped or inspected by US customs.

Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed? How much of a headache can it be? Do they hit you for fees right there? Will I need to pay in cash?

Thanks much!
 
I recently bought a game in Vancouver and brought it through the border. They asked where I got it, how much I paid, what it is for and made me pull into the inspection area. Parked my car, went inside and they asked more questions like if I had drugs inside the game. They inspected my car while I waited inside and let me go. No fees.
 
Just cover it in maple syrup. They'll pay it no mind.

I figured it was that or poutine. Not sure which is messier. The syrup is really sticky, but water soluble. The poutine is probably easier to scrape off, but seems like it would be hard to cut the grease residue.

:)
 
I recently bought a game in Vancouver and brought it through the border. They asked where I got it, how much I paid, what it is for and made me pull into the inspection area. Parked my car, went inside and they asked more questions like if I had drugs inside the game. They inspected my car while I waited inside and let me go. No fees.

Good info, thanks!
 
you need a proper bill of sale and don't try to make one that's lower to price you actually paid.
(if you get caught you'll be in deep trouble]

I'm pretty sure you'll have to pay the sales tax on it has well.
 
I figured it was that or poutine. Not sure which is messier. The syrup is really sticky, but water soluble. The poutine is probably easier to scrape off, but seems like it would be hard to cut the grease residue.

:)

For the record I've never even had poutine. Maple syrup sure is tasty though.
 
Same thing I went through a number of years ago. Really quite simple. I would have a bill of sale this time through. Be prepared for them to look inside - don't bundle it up too much.

BITD the border folks really just thought it was funny to see a UR Joust sticking out of a Mustang hatchback.



I recently bought a game in Vancouver and brought it through the border. They asked where I got it, how much I paid, what it is for and made me pull into the inspection area. Parked my car, went inside and they asked more questions like if I had drugs inside the game. They inspected my car while I waited inside and let me go. No fees.
 
What is the value of the game?
The reason I ask is that persons entering the U.S. are automatically allowed up to an $800 exemption for goods entering the United States.
I.E. anything $800 or under there is no duty.
 
Just cover it in maple syrup. They'll pay it no mind.
Ever tried eating a pancake without maple syrup? It's like eating a slice of cardboard. Poorly prepared cardboard.

In fact, Canada's gift to parents everywhere -- throw some maple syrup on the kid's broccoli and see what happens -- makes just about anything worth trying. Pass the cardboard, please.

I figured it was that or poutine. Not sure which is messier. The syrup is really sticky, but water soluble. The poutine is probably easier to scrape off, but seems like it would be hard to cut the grease residue. :)
French fries smothered in cheese curds and brown gravy. Sounds kind of disgusting, looks even worse, but engulfs the mouth in a saucy, cheesy, fried-potato mix that'll have you fighting over the last dollop.

Our Canadian friends insist it's best enjoyed at 3 a.m. after "several" beers.
 
What is the value of the game?

The reason I ask is that persons entering the U.S. are automatically allowed up to an $800 exemption for goods entering the United States.

I.E. anything $800 or under there is no duty.

And how does one determine value? You can lie and write down whatever value the game being sold is (in fact, coordinate this effort with the seller).

That paperboy/starwars/zookeeper/whatever for $3,000 can be sold for $500 on paper.

There is no set price for any arcade games in the world, so tell me how the border patrol is going to determine this?
 
And how does one determine value? You can lie and write down whatever value the game being sold is (in fact, coordinate this effort with the seller).

That paperboy/starwars/zookeeper/whatever for $3,000 can be sold for $500 on paper.

There is no set price for any arcade games in the world, so tell me how the border patrol is going to determine this?

If he "buys the game" for $700 and getting a bill of sale that attests to that.
Then no problem.
 
Last edited:
By the way, I do a lot of commercial importation to the United States on a regular basis as part of my business. Most of what I import is coming through Europe and via carrier.
Not arcades, but its importation none the less.

For the most part something like this is pretty insignificant in the eyes of Customs and Immigration.
In my experience the major things customs is looking for are:

1) Drugs, guns and larger shipments of tobacco or alcohol.
2) Fruits, plants, meats etc. (some of these carry pests that disrupt or destroy local agriculture).
3) Illegal immigrants (at border check points).
4) Items that are banned from being imported into the U.S.
I.E. items that are being imported from countries we have trade embargoes or tariffs with like Cuba, North Korea, Iran as well as cultural goods (antiquities etc) from places like Syria, Afghanistan etc that are being looted and on the cultural property protection list.

Theres other stuff as well but those are the major ones.
Its a "non commercial entry", so this shouldn't be much of a problem.
 
Further.
My understanding of a "non commercial import" is that anything above the $800 threshold is taxable.
I.E. if you declare $1500 you will pay tax/import duty on the difference above $800.
So you would pay a percentage on say $700 not the full declared value of the game.
I don't know what the rate would be importing through presumably Washington, but say its 10%, you would pay something like $70.
This is of course if they even stop and ask you, which may not even happen if your driving across the boarder.
 
Last edited:
If you outright lie and get caught, then that will likely be the last time you get across this (or any border) without further hassles.

It's pretty easy to bring something back into YOUR OWN country.
As noted before, declare, pay any state tax (if applicable on a "proven" sales receipt ;) of some type; I use EBAY transactions), be clear of what the item is and drive away.
 
Last edited:
3 things:

* bring your guns
* tell them to STFU
* tell them MURRIKA

lol it's canada. what are they gonna do? raise their voices and say "hey u dummy no don't do that"

my work here is done

1469133098006a.jpg
 
I picked up a Spy Hunter from Toronto and didn't get a receipt because the guy I picked it up from wasn't home. When I got to the border the lady gave me a little hassle about it and told me to make sure to get a receipt next time. But that was it. She didn't even look at the game. Not saying that this is how all the border patrol is going to be though. Just my one and only experience. I think we had more trouble on the way in than the way out, which is odd.
 
Back
Top Bottom