Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Sales tax refund after exporting from Canada

A question for those Canadian accountants or revenue department employees out there. I am planning to fly to Halifax to buy a bike, possibly a new Yamaha XT250 and use it for a six month tour of Canada and the US, after that I might ship it back to the UK and keep it. Can I claim a tax refund on any sales tax that has been paid on a new bike and if so how would I go about doing it? I would plan on using it in Canada for a couple of months after purchase before heading south, is there a time limit on any refund and would I have to surrender the registration in order to claim it?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
Used to be 60 days, but they may have cancelled the program, not sure with what it was replaced.

GST/HST refund for visitors

Tax Refund for Visitors To Canada
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 28 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Thanks for that Mountainman, I have looked on the site for an e-mail address but cannot find one, does anybody have a general enquiry e-mail address for the Canadian revenue agency or do they only use phone and physical address?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 29 Jan 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
Not sure if there is an email contact address, calling by phone is pretty straightforward though. If you Skype them, it'll cost pennies and get to speak to a real person who may not have the right answer but at least will point you to the right department.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Feb 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,123
Mark:

Be aware that there are normally two different taxes applied to vehicles sold in Canada: one is a federal government tax, called the GST (Goods and Services Tax), the other is a provincial government tax, generically referred to as PST (provincial sales tax).

My own guess, based on having lived in Canada most of my life, is that you will not be able to get a refund of either tax if you plate the vehicle in Canada after you buy it (the only exception being if you get a 10 day 'temporary vehicle permit' that is generally used only for driving/riding from the place of purchase to the border with the USA).

All of the various provinces (which administer the licence plate schemes) want to see proof of tax paid before they will give you a licence plate. The motor vehicle licence offices have a very keen interest in this subject because private sales of used vehicles between individuals also attracts tax. If you can't prove that you paid the tax at the time of purchase (i.e. present an official receipt from a motor vehicle retailer), then you will get assessed tax at the licence plate office before you can buy a plate. The tax assessment will be based either on the price you paid or on the fair market value of the vehicle/motorcycle, whichever of the two is higher.

Unlike Europe, we don't get very many people buying vehicles in Canada for export to anywhere except the USA. Hence, I don't think there are any programs existing to support operation of a vehicle on 'export' plates, as there are in Europe.

I could be wrong, and there might be some program I am unaware of, but I kind of doubt it.

Michael
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 117
As of 2007 visitors are no longer able to get a refund for articles they take out of the country.


NOTICE221 - Questions and Answers on the Cancellation of the Visitor Rebate Program and the Implementation of the New Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program

Growler (Philip)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Thanks to everyone who took trouble to reply, I thought getting a refund was a long shot and as the advertised price for the bike I was interested in excluded many things including tax it has become too expensive, in the UK the advertised price is on the road.
So it is back to plan A and ship my own.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Feb 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Geneva
Posts: 198
Lower tax in Alberta

If you pursue the idea of purchasing a bike in Canada, I would say Alberta is your best shot since only the federal sales tax (GST) applies if things have not changed since the last time I checked. It means a difference of roughly 2000 CAD on the total for a GS1200 Adv for example compared to buying it let's say in Quebec or another high taxation province. But then again you will have to future out any limitations you may face regarding the need for having an address there and so forth. /C
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 13 Feb 2012
RIP: 5/3/21
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Onalaska, Washington, USA
Posts: 335
You might consider purchase in US then license here and ride up to Canada.
Bob
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Planning a Trip across Canada in 2012 Sheila1940 North America 21 16 May 2014 14:45

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:56.