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JimDunlop2
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 2286
Location: Japan
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 Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:34 am Post subject: Re: Tax refund on Electronics |
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| furiousmilksheikali wrote: |
Jim, how would immigration know that these items were bought in Japan?
Also, I presume the duty-free prices in Akihabara are available to anyone not just those with foreign passports. Am I wrong? |
You are wrong...  No, let me not be so blunt and explain.... heh...
I can only speak for Canada, but Canadian immigration knows INSTANTLY whether or not an item was purchased in Canada or not. The fact that it's FROM Japan is irrelevant -- only that it was purchased abroad. By law, any electric device purchased in Canada must have a non-removable CSA (safety certification) seal on it somewhere (it's usually engraved into the actual plastic of the device). No seal, not Canadian. It's that easy. Companies that import goods into Canada must go through CSA approval and when they get shipped in, duty gets paid and they all still have the appropriate safety approvals showing. If there isn't such a system, under most systems of common law, the burden of proof is on YOU to show that it WAS indeed purchased in your country of origin. I.e. If you can't prove it, you must pay the duty -- until such time as you can prove otherwise. In Canada there is a duty appeals process where you can appeal your case and get the duty you paid refunded to you -- but I would assume that such proof would probably require a store receipt or something similar...
Second, purchasing electronics duty-free DOES require you to present a foreign passport. This is NOT abvailable to Japanese nationals... When you walk into an Akihabara shop and buy your device duty-free, they will ask for your passport, and seal/stamp a little slip that lists the device, serial number and tells you that you must dispose of the item OUTSIDE of Japan.
Hope that clears up any confusion.  |
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furiousmilksheikali
Joined: 31 Jul 2006
Posts: 1660
Location: In a coffee shop, splitting a 30,000 yen tab with Sekiguchi.
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| Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:42 am Post subject: Re: Tax refund on Electronics |
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| JimDunlop2 wrote: |
| By law, any electric device purchased in Canada must have a non-removable CSA (safety certification) seal on it somewhere (it's usually engraved into the actual plastic of the device). No seal, not Canadian. It's that easy. |
Okay, thanks for that. But another question: If you were to buy a laptop overseas and take it with you each time you go back to Canada are immigration going to ask you to pay duty on it each time? |
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JimDunlop2
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 2286
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 10:29 am Post subject: |
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Worst case scenario? Absolutely. That's why, if you've purchased electronics abroad and have already returned to Canada with them, your next step is to stop at customs/immigration with your electronics BEFORE you leave on your next trip abroad. The customs officials will give you a little, green card where you write a description of the device(s) and the serial numbers. They register it, and then if they try to charge you on your return trip, just show them the green card as proof of the device having originated from Canada.
Other countries probably have a similar system. |
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japan_01
Joined: 04 Mar 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Gifu Ken
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| Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:47 am Post subject: |
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OK everyone... thanks for the advice. (especially JimDunlop2)
I am planning on going to Big Camera and asking the sales staff there.
Maybe I should just be happy with my 25% discount, but I guess being human makes me want more than I already have. |
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