BC couples demand that their duties for family heirlooms be returned from us to them
A British Columbia couple said they were shocked to find that they were asked to return their family heirloom to pay their duties on a friend in Washington State.
James Baker-Taylor and Andrea Nelson got married in 2024 after ten years together.
Baker-Taylor’s father Jimmy died in 2022, but he gave his son he could use for his wedding ring.
“He didn’t have a lot to leave me, so the ring… he gave it to me about 20 years ago,” Baker-Taylor told Global News.
“So that’s why we decided to use that ring and then use his other rings.”
When the couple visited their family in Washington state, Baker-Taylor took off the ring, took a shower, and forgot to put it back.
They arranged for insurance for $500 and shipped back to their Nanaimo home.
“When they showed up on the package, we were surprised to find that it would be $189,” Nelson said.
“I was stunned. I was shocked by the whole thing.”
Baker-Taylor said he was very frustrated by the process.
Get national news
For news that affects Canada and around the world, please sign up for breaking news alerts that were sent directly to you at the time.
The couple refused to pay fees, which included government fees and brokerage fees. UPS now holds parcels in Canada until the fee is paid.
“We were told verbally that we had duties, tariffs and brokerage fees,” Baker-Taylor said.
“It all costs $189. Tax seems stupid to me. No purchase, not sale, no taxable items. Brokerage? It’s not a valuable commodity as a commodity, I think it’s the reason for the broker. We only have one person who explains the counter verbally, so it’s hard to understand.”
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) said in a statement that it collects taxes and taxes on personal (non-commercial) goods imported into Canada.
“Under certain conditions, Canadian residents can import be tax-free and duty-free for personal and household goods.”
“When importing, the importer must provide documents to prove the circumstances of the inheritance. The documents provided must fully describe the imported goods and identify the importer as the beneficiary of the inheritance.”
The main document used for this purpose is a copy of the will of the deceased, CBSA said. If there is no will, you can use the donor’s signature and date statement and use ownership of the item.
“If a courier uses imported goods to an individual, the courier can collect transportation from the importer and collect any applicable duties and taxes,” the CBSA said.
“The courier or customs broker can also charge administrative fees for their services, and such third-party fees are not regulated by the Canadian government.”
Baker-Taylor has no will to his father because his father gave him a ring while he was still alive.
Nelson said it would make no sense to them to pay to recycle what they already have.
“The heirlooms have been exchanged all the time,” she said.
The couple said they are sharing their stories to make sure others aren’t stuck with the same cycle.
“It’s a process that I found it unreasonable, and I think some serious changes are needed,” Baker-Taylor said.
