Vancouver Travel Forum

Hello

Can you tell me what taxes apply to photographic equipmemt and if there is a possibility to get a refund

Thank you very much

BC has a 7% provincial sales tax plus a 5% national sales tax so 12% total. The national sa;es tax refund program for tourists ended a couple of years ago so I am not aware of any way to get this refunded.

Check out the following Web site.

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/travel_tips/tax/

"For most other goods and services, there is a 7% provincial sales tax (PST) and the 5% federal goods and services tax (GST.)"

"The Visitor Rebate Program was eliminated effective April 1, 2007"

"Non-resident consumers that purchase goods in Canada on which the GST becomes payable after March 31, 2007, would no longer be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of those goods. However, GST would continue not to apply where goods are shipped directly by the Canadian supplier to the non-resident's residence. (The shipping charges are also not subject to GST.)"

I'm not sure what kind of equipment you're looking to buy but you might want to take a look at this store: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?minorcatid=1020 I bought my camera there recently for clearly the best price in the city.

For better prices, you'd be well advised to take a few days trip down to Bellingham or Seattle.