Declare an item is not liable for duty?

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Literally in answer to your question -- no, don't declare it or mention it.

If you honest to God know it should not be declared (i.e.: you have, simply, owned it for years), then you have nothing to declare. If you have nothing to declare: that's the end of it.

Note that you literally could not 'declare' it because --- it is not declarable!!!!! You own it, it was not bought overseas, and there is obviously no customs involvement. You literally "can not" declare it. So, do nothing.

Upvote:0

In general, if it looks new, the customs guys may be very suspicious, but if it is used, probably not so much.

If you are at all concerned, take the original receipt with you. This gives you a quick and easy solution.

It's not perfect, by any means, but means customs have a way of checking if necessary.

Upvote:5

Both Canada and US have a procedure for documenting your existing ownership of items that might be deemed new and dutiable if you leave the country with them and then bring them back home from a trip ezbordercrossing.

I found it most useful when I took a bunch of Japanese made camera equipment on a trip from Canada to Japan, and came home with a lot more Japanese camera equipment.

Upvote:7

Don't know if that's the answer you are looking for but another possibility is to approach the customs administration before leaving. There is often some procedure you can follow to facilitate re-entry, sometimes it's as simple as a form to fill in at the airport, without any fee. But you need to do it on the way out, not on the way back.

Whatever you do, having the original receipt would seem useful.

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