Re: [MOPO] Shipping valuable posters to Canada

[Craig Goebel]

 Walter, I have seen your recent offerings and love the Barbarella quad.   Almost all goods imported into Canada are subject to (excise) sales tax to ensure there is a similar treatment as to cost of goods from outside the country compared to those bought inside the country if they are of similar kinds. This is only fair to workers in the country. Also, that way people are at least encouraged to buy in-country.   What this means for an expensive poster is that there are sales taxes imposed as if the purchase were capable of being made in-country, which it might not be. No one seems to have made an effort to contest the imposition of sales taxes on the basis that the item was not capable of being obtained in-country, at least to my knowledge. But even an expensive poster is by definition a mass produced poster and therefore unlikely to be "unique" until all the other copies are gone.   There is federal 7% Goods and Services Tax and depending on the province into which the item is being sent provincial sales taxes of about 7 - 8%. In addition to that there is a $5 admin fee for rooting through the parcel and charging the taxes. This is so that people who can afford to buy from outside the country pay for the taxation service moreso than those who don't and thus the taxes on everyone are somewhat lower than they might otherwise be if all taxpayers were subsidizing the purchases from outside the country of the well-to-do.   The consideration for Canadian buyers is to balance the chance to evade the government's taxes and to ensure that an expensive poster is properly valued for insuring it. Generally enlightened fiscal self-interest prevails for expensive posters and proper declarations of value are made and the coincidental tax charges for doing that are an accepted, expected part of the transaction before the purchase is made. Cheaper posters that are easily replaced if lost are likely the subject of much preverication.   Most countries have a value-added tax imposed on goods and services which targets consumption, not income, (giving rebates to the poor who can least afford to spend money on other than necessities), but which is not imposed on goods destined for export. That way exports which also create jobs are not harmed by being made more expensive before they leave the country making them less competitive elsewhere. Tax regimes that have changed to this basis are much fairer than those that persist in mostly taxing income. Sadly, twenty years after making these kinds of changes many Canadians still miss the points behind them. Every province and most other local jusidictions in other countries have a sales tax that try to accomplish similar things for the good of the people.   So if you have a buyer who can afford to obtain your expensive poster it is likely that person will want to have the item properly valued for insurance purposes and will accept that coincidental taxes are a price to pay for that peace of mind.   Craig, Vancouver       Walter Reuben wrote: hey thereCan one of our Canadian friends help me out here? I know that, if properly declared, there is no duty in the US or the UK on old movie posters.What is the law in Canada? thanks!  Walter Reuben Walter Reuben, Inc. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />500 North Harper Avenue Los AngelesCA90048USA Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (323) 651 3313 www.walterfilm.com Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.12.1/135 - Release Date: 15/10/05 Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.