On Thu, Nov 1, 2012 at 1:42 PM, Lawrence Weeks <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:lweeks@anabasis.net" target="_blank">lweeks@anabasis.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
So James, were you hiding this contraband piece of metal in a secret<br>
smuggling compartment? What tipped them off to your nefarious<br>
activities? Was there a snitch at Salt Fest?<br></blockquote><div><br></div><div>No, Alex and I foolishly declared everything, not realizing that we were over our allowed limit. Alex had picked up some OEM Miata wheels and some other stuff.</div>
<div><br></div><div>The Canada Customs guys were in their element, i.e. being bullies. They looked up Phoenix Imports on the internet, where Salt Fest was held that year, and they were saying "your friend works on some expensive cars". "I guess the stuff in your car must worth at least the cost of your buddy's Nissan, so maybe we should take it. You think he's going to like that? You think he will? Tough."</div>
<div><br></div><div>"Some quality welds on this downpipe. It must be worth about $4000. Maybe you should pay taxes, duties and a fine on $4000.".</div><div><br></div><div>Interestingly, auto parts which are manufactured in Canada or the US (as this DP was) are not subject to any taxes or duties.</div>
<div><br></div><div>To be released from their cells, I paid taxes, duties and a fine, and I was red flagged for all future border crossings.</div><div><br></div><div>James</div></div>