The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've recently seen some threads about shipping machines, and ebay issues, but I'm wondering if anyone can speak to experience
with crossing the Canadian border with a machine?

(I think)I know that as a Canadian citizen, I am prohibited from bringing a machine into the USA with the intent of selling it.
Has anyone brought a pre-sold machine across the border? I'd like to sell a machine to a US member and promise that I'll deliver it
to Wayne, but I have no idea if the border patrol will allow me access to the USA under these conditions.
I've obviously tried checking online but I haven't had much success and don't want to promise that I can deliver the machine if I can't.

Anyone have experience with this?

Hello,
I am a Canadian and have taken machines across the border several times without any problems. I usually say that I am taking the machines down to trade with another collector. Goods originally manufactured in the U.S. can be returned to the U.S without any duty due. All Edison, Columbia and most Victor Phonographs were originally made in the U.S. and have an I.D plate stating this.
Pete

I agree with what Pete wrote. Never had any problems either way... .

I bought a Victor 4-3 Consolette from a lady in Vancouver,BC and my Granddaughter went up from Bellingham WA and picked it up for me with no problems. It was probably made in Canada so I don't know. It may depend how "professional" you look to the Border Patrols.

I have found taking machines into Canada far more difficult than returning with them. I quit taking things to the Toronto meetings of the Canadian Antique Phono Society for that reason. I was once held up for almost an hour over two junker portable machines that I was going to give away. I told the border patrol officer that he could have them if he wanted and he kept insisting that I tell him a value. I kept insisting that the value was $0 since I had planned to give them away. It was not worth the trouble anymore.

Dave

Dave D wrote:I have found taking machines into Canada far more difficult than returning with them. I quit taking things to the Toronto meetings of the Canadian Antique Phono Society for that reason. I was once held up for almost an hour over two junker portable machines that I was going to give away. I told the border patrol officer that he could have them if he wanted and he kept insisting that I tell him a value. I kept insisting that the value was $0 since I had planned to give them away. It was not worth the trouble anymore.

Dave

One thing customs does not want to hear (in either direction) is "worth nothing". That will certainly raise their curiosity. Not to say the item is "worthless". In an officers mind...something tangible in front of them has a value.

Shipping to and from Europe can be daunting and expensive. Unless you are able to broker your items yourself.

I sent a bunch of parts to a friend by air cargo. There value was only $50 CND. I prepaid the shipping ($80 CND) and declared every screw on the manifest as required.

However, because my friend did not want to broker the box through customs himself....he ended up paying $200 Euro's with broker fees and taxes. They charged him 165 Euro's just for taking the box off the plane.

Better to handle it yourself...

My problem is that I'm not capable of lying properly. I can't 'stretch' the truth either.

I'm guessing that if I sell something and I bring receipts with me to the border to show that they've
pre-sold and exactly what the value is, then I shouldn't have a problem. But there's always that fear that
I'll be in border patrol Ratched's line and she won't let me cross.