I mean, say, you want a really nice camera, or a drone, or maybe a gaming laptop, and since those things are made in China, they are too expensive to buy right now in the US, since tariffs are over 100%. So you just go to Canada, buy the thing, unpack it from the packaging, and pretend like its just personal items. Just like a smartphone.
AFIAK, border agents usually don’t ask if you bought your phone in the US or from outside, they shouldn’t ask about other personal electronics, right?
Welcome to Europe’s cheat code. Within an hour I can reach 4 countries with 4 different tax laws.
Ok, but ir’s a cheat code for non-existing problem since non of those countries tax you with addituonal tarifs.
It’s the other way around: to avoid local taxes on things like fuel, medicine, food, …
VAT rates differ between countries, as do the very long lists of exemptions and reductions.
If you remove the Luxemburg, Andorra, and a couple of smaller countries, VAT rates are relatively consistent. Indeed, if you live within 20km from the border, it’s worth buying some stuff across the border, and for some trips to plan a fuel stop on the right side of the border.
But if you need to drive 100 km, you won’t recover the cost of the road if you don’t do some specific purchases.
Note also, that at least in theory, you’re not free to travel with unlimited cigarettes and alcohol (where tax rates difference can be crazy) so again, if you pass by Luxemburg or Andorra, you can’t legally speaking buy 100 packs of cigarettes, (but would still save 30 to 50 € on a 10 packs carton)
Lucky you, to get to more than one other country I need at least 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic
From Australia, I’m gonna need a decent boat and a lot of days. Or a plane.