A friend of mine had asked me about the necessary steps for purchasing and picking up motorcycle gear (anything for that matter) from the US, and so I wrote him a "How-To" that I thought I'd share with you all. If I had known all the information that I know now about purchasing gear from the US, back when I just became a motorcyclist, I could have saved a lot of money; so by posting this I hope it helps at least one of you save some money.
*Just to note, there are many ways to do this kind of thing, however this "How-To" is written based on my personal experiences. I've gone to buffalo over a dozen times now, and not once did I have any issues. It’s very simple as long as you have everything you need and follow the necessary steps*
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Step 1: Order all your packages online from all the various retailers and have them all shipped to CBI where your packages will be held (others also recommend U.S.Address, though I have never personally used them. CBI charges $6 per package, whereas U.S.Address charges $5 per package; however CBI holds your packages indefinitely without any additional charge, while U.S.Address charges an additional $2/week after the first week if the packages are not picked up).
'CBI USA' Address: 1711 Cudaback Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14303.
'U.S.Address' Address: 3909 Witmer Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14305.
Be sure to specify the above as your shipping address from wherever you purchase your items. Your packages would naturally have your name on them, so there's no worries of having them go missing. CBI will accept all your packages upon arrival on your behalf.
Step 2: Call CBI (716 282 7447) to confirm that all your packages have arrived. Just provide them your name and they will be able check it on their system. I suggest that you have everything you want to buy from the states shipped to CBI at one time, then go there and pick up all your packages with one go. Remember that CBI does not charge you any additional 'late' fees, so your packages will be held for as long as you leave them.
Step 3: Once all your packages have arrived, you will now drive down to CBI to pick them up. You will need 3 important things:
-Your Canadian Passport
-Your Receipts for all the items you're picking up (in order to pay taxes when re-entering Canada)
-$5 cash (actually $3.25) to pay toll when crossing the bridge to re-enter Canada (they do not take Debit/Visa)
I found that the best time to go to Niagara Falls is early Saturday mornings (CBI opens at 8:00am). I've actually managed to go to CBI and back home by 10:00am!
At the border, all you'll need is your passport when entering the US. When they ask why you're crossing into the states, be honest and tell them you're going to a shipping depot in order to pick up some motorcycle gear. After you're through, it’s a 5 minute drive to CBI to pick up your packages. It should take no more than 5-10 minutes in order for them to locate and give you your packages.
Step 4: Once everything is picked up and in your vehicle, it's time to drive back. On the way back over the bridge you'll have to stop at a tollbooth and pay them the $3.25 in cash, then continue towards the border. When at the border, they'll ask where you were and whether you're bringing anything back with you; this is when you'll tell them your bringing back motorcycle gear and the total dollar value of all your items. If the total is greater than $100, they'll (usually) hand you a yellow slip and tell you to park the car and head into the building to pay your taxes, where you will simply do just that. Once the taxes are paid, you're pretty much done; time to head back home!
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This whole process can save you a great deal of money. Purchasing items using the American US-listed prices, as well as the savings on shipping & handling (usually free within the US), it largely outweighs the fuel/CBI costs, time spent, and hassle of having to go down to buffalo to pick up your items. The more items your order, the more you'll save as it will only cost you fuel/time-spent once.
There may be those who will probably try and flame me by saying I'm not supporting the Canadian economy by purchasing all my gear from the states, but when the Canadian price is drastically more expensive than having everything shipped and picked up at Buffalo, it’s ridiculous to think that I would voluntarily pay more for the same product; it makes absolutely no sense.
I hope this was clear and helpful. If there are any questions, feel free to post them; I'll try my best to answer them.
TL;DR:
Purchase everything online from various retailers and have all packages shipped to CBIUSA.
Call in to confirm packages have arrived.
Drive down to CBI with your passport and receipts and pick up your packages ($6/package).
Drive back to the border, paying the toll on the way. Show your receipts at the border and pay your taxes.
Drive back home.
*Just to note, there are many ways to do this kind of thing, however this "How-To" is written based on my personal experiences. I've gone to buffalo over a dozen times now, and not once did I have any issues. It’s very simple as long as you have everything you need and follow the necessary steps*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Step 1: Order all your packages online from all the various retailers and have them all shipped to CBI where your packages will be held (others also recommend U.S.Address, though I have never personally used them. CBI charges $6 per package, whereas U.S.Address charges $5 per package; however CBI holds your packages indefinitely without any additional charge, while U.S.Address charges an additional $2/week after the first week if the packages are not picked up).
'CBI USA' Address: 1711 Cudaback Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14303.
'U.S.Address' Address: 3909 Witmer Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14305.
Be sure to specify the above as your shipping address from wherever you purchase your items. Your packages would naturally have your name on them, so there's no worries of having them go missing. CBI will accept all your packages upon arrival on your behalf.
Step 2: Call CBI (716 282 7447) to confirm that all your packages have arrived. Just provide them your name and they will be able check it on their system. I suggest that you have everything you want to buy from the states shipped to CBI at one time, then go there and pick up all your packages with one go. Remember that CBI does not charge you any additional 'late' fees, so your packages will be held for as long as you leave them.
Step 3: Once all your packages have arrived, you will now drive down to CBI to pick them up. You will need 3 important things:
-Your Canadian Passport
-Your Receipts for all the items you're picking up (in order to pay taxes when re-entering Canada)
-$5 cash (actually $3.25) to pay toll when crossing the bridge to re-enter Canada (they do not take Debit/Visa)
I found that the best time to go to Niagara Falls is early Saturday mornings (CBI opens at 8:00am). I've actually managed to go to CBI and back home by 10:00am!
At the border, all you'll need is your passport when entering the US. When they ask why you're crossing into the states, be honest and tell them you're going to a shipping depot in order to pick up some motorcycle gear. After you're through, it’s a 5 minute drive to CBI to pick up your packages. It should take no more than 5-10 minutes in order for them to locate and give you your packages.
Step 4: Once everything is picked up and in your vehicle, it's time to drive back. On the way back over the bridge you'll have to stop at a tollbooth and pay them the $3.25 in cash, then continue towards the border. When at the border, they'll ask where you were and whether you're bringing anything back with you; this is when you'll tell them your bringing back motorcycle gear and the total dollar value of all your items. If the total is greater than $100, they'll (usually) hand you a yellow slip and tell you to park the car and head into the building to pay your taxes, where you will simply do just that. Once the taxes are paid, you're pretty much done; time to head back home!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This whole process can save you a great deal of money. Purchasing items using the American US-listed prices, as well as the savings on shipping & handling (usually free within the US), it largely outweighs the fuel/CBI costs, time spent, and hassle of having to go down to buffalo to pick up your items. The more items your order, the more you'll save as it will only cost you fuel/time-spent once.
There may be those who will probably try and flame me by saying I'm not supporting the Canadian economy by purchasing all my gear from the states, but when the Canadian price is drastically more expensive than having everything shipped and picked up at Buffalo, it’s ridiculous to think that I would voluntarily pay more for the same product; it makes absolutely no sense.
I hope this was clear and helpful. If there are any questions, feel free to post them; I'll try my best to answer them.
TL;DR:
Purchase everything online from various retailers and have all packages shipped to CBIUSA.
Call in to confirm packages have arrived.
Drive down to CBI with your passport and receipts and pick up your packages ($6/package).
Drive back to the border, paying the toll on the way. Show your receipts at the border and pay your taxes.
Drive back home.
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