The BC couple says they had been uneasy to find they had been being requested to pay their duties to household heirlooms shipped by a Washington pal.
James Baker Taylor and Andrea Nelson married collectively in 2024 for 10 years.
Baker Taylor’s father, Jimmy, handed away in 2022, however he had given his son his ring, which he might be used on his wedding ceremony ring.
“He did not depart me a lot, so the ring… he gave it to me 20 years in the past,” Baker Taylor instructed International Information.
“So, that is why we determined to make use of that ring, which is certainly one of his different rings.”
When the couple was visiting their Washington household, Baker Taylor took off the ring to take a bathe and forgot to place it again in.
They organized for it to be insured for $500 and shipped it to a Nanaimo residence.
“Once they confirmed up on the bundle, we had been very stunned to seek out out it could be $189,” Nelson mentioned.
“I used to be shaky. I used to be stunned at the entire thing.”
Baker Taylor mentioned he was shaking and was very upset by the method.
The couple refused to pay charges, together with authorities payments and brokerage charges. UPS at the moment holds the bundle in Canada till the charge is paid.
“We had been instructed that we had oral obligations, duties and brokerage charges,” Baker Taylor mentioned.
“All of it comes at $189. Taxes appear ridiculous to me. There is no such thing as a buy. It’s not a sale, it’s not taxable. The brokerage firm just isn’t a priceless merchandise that comes as a product. I feel that is the rationale for the middleman.
In a press release, the Canada Border Companies Company (CBSA) mentioned it could accumulate obligations and taxes on particular person (non-commercial) items imported into Canada.
“Below sure circumstances, bequests of non-public and family items could also be imported as obligatory and tax-free by Canadian residents,” the assertion learn.
“On the time of import, the importer should present documentation to show the standing of the bequest.
The CBSA said that the principle doc used for this goal is a replica of the need of the deceased. If there isn’t a intention, a signed and dated assertion from the donor transferring possession of the merchandise shall be used.
“If you happen to import items by courier for private use, courier can take delivery into consideration and accumulate relevant obligations and taxes from the importer,” CBSA mentioned.
“Courier or customs dealer might cost administration charges for companies, and third-party charges akin to these will not be regulated by the Canadian authorities.”
Baker Taylor has no will for his father, because the ring was given to him whereas his father was nonetheless alive.
Nelson mentioned it did not make sense to them to pay to get again what they already owned.
“Heirlooms are all the time changed,” she mentioned.
The couple mentioned they share their tales to make sure that others do not get caught up in the identical loop.
“It is a little bit little bit of a course of that I discover unreasonable,” Baker Taylor mentioned. “And I feel there is a want for some critical adjustments.”
