Moving to Canada

[itchystiches]

Hey guys,

It's looking increasingly like I'll be emigrating to Canada in the near future. Just looking for some advice really from some Canadians on the forum on the best way of getting snus there.

I've heard there's some tricky taxes applied when ordering from Sweden but is there a better way? Are there any domestic brands you guys get or can I order from US based stores?

Thanks in advance,

IS

[lxskllr]

I'm not in Canada, but I'd suggest stuffing a couch full of snus in England, and shipping it over in a container. Seriously, buy and snus or snuff you want now. Canada's a bitch with taxes.

[itchystiches]

Wow lx is it really that bad?

I'm considering getting my boy down in NC to maybe UPS forward packages to me if I order from a US based store? Would that work or would the customs bandits still be on high alert I wonder? It's actually horrendously expensive in Europe too - I pay almost as much in tax as I do in product, sometimes more...

IS

[lxskllr]

Check over some of the Canada threads in the stores sub forum. Small shipments(~5 tins) seem best. If a package gets nailed by customs, the taxes range from "I guess it's better than cigarettes", to "Fsck it, customs can keep it". Nobody knows what's going on up there. Five identical orders will be assessed five different fees.

If it were me, I'd look into buying a very large quantity of snus, and bringing it with me. Even if it meant a plane ride to Sweden first. I'm thinking a shipping container full of household stuff would fly under the radar, and make it over ok. I don't know all the ins and outs of customs inspections though.

Edit:
Checkout this thread...
http://www.snuson.com/forum/showthre...ort-Calculator

It has a handy tax calculator for Canada. Keep in mind, this is what the tax /should/ be according to reasonable interpretation. What you actually get nailed with varies wildly.

[sebasmun]

Hello, I live in canada, and yes, get ready to pay outrageous prices for tobacco.

there is no domestic snus, there used to be one brand, but not anymore.
If you order from the US, its the same as if you were to order from sweden.

If you want to buy tobacco in canada, get ready to pay the price. Its not cheap.
There are certain big cities that sell general. (montreal and toronto for example). They sell each tin for about 12-15 dollars.
When you order from abroad and get taxed by customs, ends up being about the same.
Mind you, you dont always get taxed, its a 50-50 chance as its impossible for customs to open every single parcel coming to canada.

Best way to do it is to bring a couple of rolls (max 2 per person) with you everytime you travel (or somebody you know) and include them in your personal tobacco allowance (duty free) at the airport or when you cross the border.

Oh and i forgot to add, theres a couple bills that were introduced to parliament just a few months ago that want to ban smokeless tobacco, and/or smokeless tobacco flavours.

Good luck, ill admit this place sucks for tobacco lovers.

[sebasmun]

I'm considering getting my boy down in NC to maybe UPS forward packages to me if I order from a US based store? Would that work or would the customs bandits still be on high alert I wonder?

#1 Rule

Dont UPS anything taxable to canada. On top of outrageous, mostly wrong custom charges, you will get REALLY outrageous brokerage fees. stay away from ups. Only use USPS

[beerski]

Expect to pay ~$10 per can in taxes/duty on top of what it costs to buy it online. They don't catch every shipment, but lately they've got most of mine. It will also usually take 3 weeks from the time you order to get your snus.

Its a crappy situation, but I just keep reminding myself how much I used to spend on smokes. Even if the cost was the same as smoking, snus is a better option IMO.

[Maher]

Hello IS,

in addition to all that is posted, if you are moving to a city has borders with a US city then you get an address in that city and enjoy your snus, you ship to that, go pickup your snus whenever it is there, unpack them and when asked at the borders if you have cigarettes you smile and say NO, because you have snus lol

Also, check with your immigration office, I believe as a landed immigrant you are entitled to all your "personal" and house hold items tax free and that is a one time offer.

Welcome to Canada if you are moving to Vancouver, it is almost the same weather as the UK but a bit milder

[ABW]

Wow lx is it really that bad?

I'm considering getting my boy down in NC to maybe UPS forward packages to me
IS

That is exactly what you need to do... Canadian Customs has a file of companies and what type products they ship so when your package from northerner or any other tobacco company comes thru I am guessing they have some system in place to ding you.

But, if your buddy sends it in a plain box and declares something else the chances are much better I imagine...

[Snarfblat]

I'm in Alberta and I agree with the good advice above. If it's really true that you can bring your personal tobacco across as a landed immigrant then I'd seriously think about bringing an entire freezer full (be sure to check first though!). Welcome to Canada

I have six rolls (portions) in the mail right now from Sweden, they just started arriving after about 2 weeks. To give you an idea of how varied the charges are, here's how the taxes/duty have been assessed on the first 3 packages, (each package contains 10 cans of portions): $114, $46, $0. By my calculations each package should be assessed about $100 in taxes/duty (Alberta), so at $160 I'm still ahead of the game. It wouldn't surprise me if the next package was assessed $240 though, it really is that crazy. If you file a dispute that may or may not go well, and may or may not take months to resolve before you get a refund. It makes no sense at all and is a constant source of frustration for a lot of us Canadians.