Assuming there are duties in place (and with free trade one
wonders why these still exist) the government HAS to charge
duty on gifts above a certain value or everyone would be
sending "gifts" to each other across the border.

Gift or not you are exporting goods across an international
border. The government wants to make sure they get their
piece of the Laptop or Learjet you are sending your third
cousin twice removed or "new internet pen pal".

Moreover, they can disregard the declared value of something
whenever they feel like it and you as the reciever have to
prove otherwise. Lots of hoops, lots of red tape.

Thanks,
Chris

---- Original message ----
>Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2002 10:59:48 -0700
>From: developtrust <developtrust@COX.NET>
>Subject: Re: Canadian Shipping Whining---
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
>I've been following this thread with some interest and a
little of my own
>ignorance on the subject.
>
>I sent a $700 computer mnitor to my sister in Canada as a
GIFT which I
>thougth was not a customs issue. "Customs" charged her 25%
of the value that
>they determined it was worth.
>
>Are these "customs agents" the brokers of whom you speak?
>
>I thought a gift was not taxable or custom fee-able. What
happens at
>Christmas time?
>
>Does anyone know for sure if a customas fee can be charged
for a gift?
>
>William