US Customs procedures for bringing games in from Canada.

I have a friend on the island and we have bought and sold to each other over the years, I would cross to get the game since the game was made in America there is no Tariff or duty.
When he buys from me he crosses the border and I give him a bill of sale with my address and telephone number and a declared value so he can pay his taxes at the border. We always had high value pins so it was always over $800
 
I brought a game back form toronto late winter. just had the gentleman write me a quick receipt for what I paid for it including his address and phone number. had no probs getting over the peace bridge. guy took a quick look at the machine, had me open the coin door. Then sent me on my way.
 
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.

you are correct, in Canada they will check all info including your cell and if you lied your done for. [ask cossakwarrior]

CANADA to USA import is one thing, USA to Canada is another thing all together.
 
Check the game inside carefully. Just in case the seller forgot some contraband inside.

Don't want any dildos in there. NO fun explaining that.


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:


3) Illegal immigrants (at border check points).

In other words, don't hide any Mexicans or Canadians in your game.
 
Yes, I get pulled over every time now. They are quick though as long as I have everything ready and prepared. I just have to leave a little earlier and plan for extra time. All worth it for a great arcade. :)
 
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?

Easy, they whip out their smartphones, go to KLOV, and start a new thread in the "Price Checks" section! ;)

Once they discover that everyone bought an EDOT back in 1991 for $100.00, and the one on Ebay is insanely priced, my game doesn't look too bad, and they shoo me off on my way home... :)

I kid 'cause I care!:D:D
 
Welcome to the island!

Hi All!

In the very near future, a good fwrlcomd riend 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!

If I had to guess is that you're buying time traveler off kurk in Victoria?
Erik
Comox
 
If I had to guess is that you're buying time traveler off kurk in Victoria?
Erik
Comox

Nope and nope. The deal's done and money has changed hands, but I'm not going to say anything until I've unloaded the game at home. I promise I'll post pics, though!
 
The amount an American is allowed to bring back across for personal use is $2500. How do I know? I've delivered approximately 75+ arcade games from Canada down to friends in the Seattle and Portland areas. And did my due diligence with the U.S. side of the border.

No duties ever need to be paid if the game was from an American manufacture, as much of our collections are. And I know the game and person (he's a friend of mine) you are getting this game from and that game should have no duties.

Basically, get a written receipt for the game ( I usually get the seller to put their name and phone number on it too), tell the border what you bought, have receipt ready. And depending on who you get as the guard will determine if they just wave you through, or want to do an entire search.

Now, on the Poutine part.... You should be hitting me up either on the way up or way back and we'll go get some Poutine. And I believe I know the friend you are coming up with as well...I chatted with him at the Portland show.

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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?
In general they can't. As we are basically the experts in this.... However, they can basically do whatever they want, to anybody, no questions asked... So it always makes sense to be smart about how much your paying. Generally, if there was a CL ad, I print that up and bring it with me too.

You don't want to fuck with either sides border.... They can make your life a living hell if they want to. I've have friends banned for life from the u.s., cars taken away, etc.... Best to just be honest with them and don't play games.

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The amount an American is allowed to bring back across for personal use is $2500. How do I know? I've delivered approximately 75+ arcade games from Canada down to friends in the Seattle and Portland areas. And did my due diligence with the U.S. side of the border.

No duties ever need to be paid if the game was from an American manufacture, as much of our collections are. And I know the game and person (he's a friend of mine) you are getting this game from and that game should have no duties.

Basically, get a written receipt for the game ( I usually get the seller to put their name and phone number on it too), tell the border what you bought, have receipt ready. And depending on who you get as the guard will determine if they just wave you through, or want to do an entire search.

Now, on the Poutine part.... You should be hitting me up either on the way up or way back and we'll go get some Poutine. And I believe I know the friend you are coming up with as well...I chatted with him at the Portland show.

Posted via TapaTalk

This is really interesting and thank you for clarifying.
Does that fact that the games were manufactured in the United States fall under some kind of special exemption? I presume it would some kind of NAFTA thing as they are returning to country of manufacture.
Does that mean that a game made in say Japan or another country fall into a different category?
Im just curious.
 
Yes, exactly.... Items brought in from other countries, separate from NAFTA, have different amounts of duty levels per country and sometimes for different ranges of age too .

These older games that were made in the U.S. would have no duties at all and therefore it would basically be just the maximum amount of merchandise thst one is allowed to bring back.... Which I was told was upped a couple years ago to $2500.

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I'm not an expert by any means. But I did my research, went in several times and talked to border agents, and supervisors, on both the personal and commercial sides.

I've rented 26' race trailers and filled them with games and delivered to friends down south... All games in total were much higher that $2500.... But per person, nobody had over $2500 in games total.

I had everybody write me receipts of what they were buying, including that i was delivering them for free as a friendly gesture, where they were made, what year they were made, etc.

Never had an issue ever.

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