British Columbia - Currency, Customs and Taxes

Canadian Customs Regulations
Foreign visitors coming to Canada should study Canadian Customs regulations, in order to make their entry into the province of British Columbia worry free. Regulations vary and can be quite different from country to country. All visitors entering B.C., except American citizens, must have in their possession a passport or travel documents. U.S. visitors should have proof of citizenship.

Personal effects and wearing apparel that will be used by visitors are allowed into B.C. duty free. Sporting equipment for fishing, camping gear, golf clubs, tape recorders, stereos, cam corders, cameras, and other items that will be used while in B.C. should be declared on entering B.C.

Drivers' licenses from the U.S., or from other countries, and international driver's licenses are valid in B.C.

Check on the amount of duty-free goods your country allows you to take home from Canada. For complete information about Canadian customs regulations contact the nearest Canadian Consulate or Embassy in your country.

For Information visit the following website: Canadian Border Services Agency

Currency

British Columbia, like all other provinces and territories that make up Canada, uses the dollar and cents money system. The rate of exchange paid on international currencies can differ from day to day, and country to country.

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It is advisable that visitors, to avoid problems, exchange their foreign money at a bank or exchange institution. The exchange of some currencies other than the U.S. Dollar and the English Pound Sterling may not always be possible outside the Vancouver/Lower Mainland and Victoria Areas. Be sure to check this out before venturing into the interior. Vancouver International Airport has a Foreign Currency Exchange outlet. It is good idea is to always carry at least a small amount of Canadian cash and travellers' cheques.

Major credit cards (IE: Visa, Mastercard, American Express etc) are readily accepted in most places throughout British Columbia. Automated Teller Machines that accept a variety of international bank cards (IE: Interac and Plus systems) and credit cards are available in all but the smallest of communities.

Sales Taxes
GST ( Goods and Services Tax - Federal)
Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) most goods and services sold or provided in Canada are taxed at the rate of 5%. Non residents of Canada may (if they qualify) apply for a GST rebate of goods and services taxes that were paid while visiting British Columbia. To determine whether you qualify for this rebate, Revenue Canada Customs and Excise publishes and distributes a GST Rebate for Visitors pamphlet available for download.

PST ( Social Service Tax - Provincial)
Provincial Sales Tax (PST) is imposed under the Social Service Tax Act. It is an important source of funding which is used to support British Columbia's roads, schools, hospitals and other community services.

PST applies to sales and leases of goods and some services, such as services to repair and maintain taxable goods. The tax is payable by the person who purchases or leases the goods, unless the item or purchaser is specifically exempt from tax under the Act.

Under the Social Service Tax Act, PST is applied to:

retail sales and leases in British Columbia of "tangible personal property" purchased or leased for consumption or use
"tangible personal property" brought into B.C. for use
legal services provided in B.C. and legal services provided outside B.C. that relate to matters within B.C.
charges for parking a motor vehicle within the Greater Vancouver Transportation Service Region other than parking that is specifically exempt
specified labour services, referred to as taxable services
telecommunication services provided in British Columbia

PST is currently charged at a rate of 7% on goods and services, except liquor and some passenger vehicles.

Liquor is subject to a tax rate of 10%.

Passenger vehicles, as of February 22, 2006, are taxed at the following rates based on purchase price:

less than $55,000 is subject to a tax rate of 7%
from $55,000 to $55,999.99 is subject to a tax rate of 8%
from $56,000 to $56,999.99 is subject to a tax rate of 9%
$57,000 or more is subject to a tax rate of 10%

PST does not apply to purchases of less than $0.15. When calculating PST, round the total up for half a cent or more, and down for less than half a cent. See the Tax Schedule to $20 for examples of calculating PST.

For further information on B.C. sales taxes vist the following Website:

Ministry of Small Business and Revenue

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BC Customs, Currency, Taxes