Canadian Toyota Block Heater "imported" to the US

[tebtengri]

The item in question is here

https://www.toyota.ca/toyota/en/connect/4354/toyota-heating-accessories

What, if anything would I need to do coming back into the US after installing it? I could probably just not say anything but I don't want to risk my NEXUS and those cameras are pretty high res and would possibly flag the differences.

Obviously not smuggling, just getting something paid for and installed in Canada. If it's cheaper to import and install in the US, I'll do that.

 

[benjamming]

How much would you be charged for this in Canada?

 

[Snagglefoot]

The site didn’t load for me but what is it you want to install? The quick answer is whatever you want could be shipped across the border under the USMCA free trade agreement. No Duty is expected, but you would have paid GST and PST. (Federal general sales tax of 5% and a provincial sales tax, around 7% unless it’s Alberta where there is no provincial sales tax). Theoretically if the parts were made in Japan or China a duty could be applied. If you have the work done in Canada, you won’t like the mechanics rate. At the border, they won’t care about your work done. They are looking for fruit, not auto mods.

If you were a Canadian citizen going in the opposite direction, the Canadian border guards might ask if you had new tires installed, which in that case GST of 5% and an applicable PST would be due but no duty unless you bought Chinese made tires.

 

[tebtengri]

How much would you be charged for this in Canada?

How much would you be charged for this in Canada?

I've sent a few emails asking

 

[Kira]

Years ago, I submitted sales receipts for articles purchased in Canada (gifts).
There's a building at the border where one's sales taxes are refunded.
The brochure said taxes on things like dry cleaning/meals/lodging weren't eligible because you used the product in Canada.

Do they still do this?

 

[KrisZ]

You’re way overthinking this. The cameras are used on the license plates and faces, that’s one.

Second, these people have absolutely no clue what equipment is installed in a car. So you if the block heater cord is visible outside, which I’m not sure why it would be, it could’ve just fallen out or something.

Of course you also need to buy some other things in Canada while there. If you just go for the install and come back with nothing at all to declare, they will do a secondary check for drugs in all likelihood.

 

[Pew]

"I went to a dealer to look at a car and decided I did not want to purchase it." Is what I would say; likely nobody is going to know or care about a block heater plug slightly showing out the bumper.

 

[ecotourist]

Just declare it.

 

[B1974]

They won't ask or care. And the cameras are to take a pic of your face and plate.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

For something like that, just order it online and have it shipped. There will be no duty for it.

 

[Brian123]

The item in question is here

https://www.toyota.ca/toyota/en/connect/4354/toyota-heating-accessories

What, if anything would I need to do coming back into the US after installing it? I could probably just not say anything but I don't want to risk my NEXUS and those cameras are pretty high res and would possibly flag the differences.

Obviously not smuggling, just getting something paid for and installed in Canada. If it's cheaper to import and install in the US, I'll do that.

I could be wrong, but every car that goes from the U.S. to Canada, they do not tell you to pop the Hood and take a picture. Let's just say that you are coming back from Canada, they are not going to ask you to pop the Hood and compare pictures.

 

[tebtengri]

I could be wrong, but every car that goes from the U.S. to Canada, they do not tell you to pop the Hood and take a picture. Let's just say that you are coming back from Canada, they are not going to ask you to pop the Hood and compare pictures.

No, they don't do that coming in or out of Mexico either but it's the US government.

I don't trust they're using all that imaging tech just for license plates and faces.

They're probably running AI on each car to look for differences. Different hue of paint indicating maybe a panel was removed etc.

Maybe they don't do it to every car, maybe they don't do it at all. We won't know til either another Snowden leaks it or they tell us in 30+ years

 

[Brian123]

No, they don't do that coming in or out of Mexico either but it's the US government.

I don't trust they're using all that imaging tech just for license plates and faces.

They're probably running AI on each car to look for differences. Different hue of paint indicating maybe a panel was removed etc.

Maybe they don't do it to every car, maybe they don't do it at all. We won't know til either another Snowden leaks it or they tell us in 30+ years

Remember something about the US Government, when you do not need them, you can say that you do not trust them, but when you need them, it is a different story. Please remember that this is an Oil Forum, there is no need to bring in the US Government, we are not allowed to bring up a few of the things you have posted. It is against Forum Rules!

I used the word Government, I will not do this again, I did it 2 times! Or did I do it 3 times!

 

[KrisZ]

Then declare it. Not sure what the issue really is.

 

[Oldswagon]

The newer Toyota block heaters don't have a cord hanging out of the grille like days of the past. They now have a small port where you plug the proprietary extension cord into. Installation is pretty subtle, most probably wouldn't notice it.

I agree with others, I highly doubt the border guards would notice but if you choose to declare it will not likely cost much. Alternatively, you can order the parts from a Canadian Toyota dealer install them yourself. This is what I did with my truck. There are several Toyora dealers that do online sales at competitive prices.

 

[B1974]

They're probably running AI on each car to look for differences. Different hue of paint indicating maybe a panel was removed etc.

I doubt it, seen how dirty the vehicles get in winter? No way that they're checking for paint panel differences.

I got pulled into the boarder station once at Emerson when I was 17 going to Grand Forks with a van full of buddies. that's the only time ever, and they never looked in the Van at all. Just asked us questions about our visit. Lots of cars have block heaters....

 

[k1xv]

If I had a car accessory installed on my car in Canada, and then drove it home across the border to the USA, the last thing I would think about is whether an import duty on the part needed to be paid.

 

[eljefino]

I know someone who snuck "real" Kinder-eggs back and got away with it!

 

[ecotourist]

The advantage of having a block heater installed in Canada is the mechanic has probably done a few hundred. Or you could have your local Toyota mechanic read the installation guide first.

Virtually every car sold in Canada has a dealer installed block heater. My Honda has had one really cold start, at -40 C/F sitting outside overnight, but plugged in. It started right up. Every car in Canada needs a block heater.

Just declare it.

 

[Sedin26]

The advantage of having a block heater installed in Canada is the mechanic has probably done a few hundred. Or you could have your local Toyota mechanic read the installation guide first.

Virtually every car sold in Canada has a dealer installed block heater. My Honda has had one really cold start, at -40 C/F sitting outside overnight, but plugged in. It started right up. Every car in Canada needs a block heater.

Just declare it.

Not many block heaters in my area but I suppose most other spots do have them.

To OP - One thing I’ll note about the border - they almost never care but it makes absolutely no sense to me to try to sneak something through. Half the time they will wave you through anyway and the rest you’ll just have to pay a small amount of tax. I don’t understand why it’s an issue to simply declare it and pay the small fee if they make you. It eliminates all the worry.