Is it worth importing electronics from the USA to Canada?

Question

I have seen enormously cheaper prices on computers and electronics in the USA. Is it worth importing these goods to Canada? I know I will get hit with a charge at the border, but does this charge take away all the savings from importing the cheaper goods?

Answer 1

Two part answer.

Yes you will have to pay import duties to Canada Customs, at the border.

Most American sold items DO NOT have  warranty  coveraqe in  Canada, so unless you want to pay to ship it back to the USA for repairs, I would not be bothered to buy there.

Finally, don't get caught trying  to sneak  items into Canada, as that will be very expensive, and you may wind up with a criminal record, and your  vehicle can be seized and sold after your court case is concluded, if you are convicted of smuggling.

Jim B. Toronto.

Answer 2

Just as Jim states...not really. Duty on electronics is pretty ridiculous, plus no warranty coverage......seems like a big hassle to save a few bucks.

Answer 3

Why on earth would you want to import electronics from the USA to Canada? If you are going to go through the trouble of importing goods, you might as well go to the source. Contact the companies direct in the Far East. To get the best price you will have to be able to purchase a container load and have it transported by ship.

The reason products are cheaper in the USA than Canada (other than taxes) is due to competition. Retail competition is fierce in the USA, it's no so in Canada. Competition drives the costs down for the consumer. A non unionized Walmart in the US has less of a cost structure compared with a unionized Future Shop in Canada.

Answer 4

The import charges often will still not make the item as expensive as it is in Canada.  However, the warranty problem is real.  I bought my computer in the US, not because it was cheaper but because I was there and I had not seen this particular model that I wanted in Canada.  I had a warranty issue with it, and the company (Sony) did not have a cross border agreement to provide warranty work in Canada.  (Vehicles are different - there is a cross border agreement for warranty work.)  I was fortunate in that Sony was excellent and mailed the part I needed (the power supply) to a friend of mine in the US, and she mailed it to me in Canada - without me even sending them my defective power supply.  But I suspect most electronic companies might not be as willing to work it out as Sony was, so my advice would be to be careful and do your research first.