Couldn't someone living near a border just go over and buy stuff and skip the tariffs?

That is as old as customs and tariffs and is called "smuggling".
And about equally as long it is frowned upon by those who impose customs and tariffs.

People do this in my country. If they have a friend or somebody they know going to Hong Kong they ask them to buy a laptop and declare it as personal device going back.
- In some countries, you need to declare expensive items when you are leaving the country, otherwise you pay the tariff when you return.
- Yeah. I know Indonesia is cracking down on phone smuggling now by locking carrier access to registered IMEIs
  If you bring one back you get a cheaper import fee if you declare it immediately

Makes me think of an article from years ago, where police in Venezuela arrested a kid for biking across the border for some candy.
They're working from a playbook that's been around for a while.

Smuggling is easier than you think, being stupid is a requirement for law enforcement. Especially in the USA
Just observe the system, go through a couple of times, you'll see the cracks and should be able to figure it out from there, especially if it's just to circumvent tariffs and not import illegal goods.
Ask yourself, is it worth the legal system to pursue this matter if it's relatively minor?
Chances are you'll just get a slap on the wrist, but there is ALWAYS risk when it comes to this stuff, so also ask yourself is it worth doing it in the first place?
Happy smuggling and remember borders are imaginary! :)
- The tariffs only apply to the USA, not to the whole of America
  
  Good point
  
  What do you mean

OP discovers smuggling.
- Once you’ve unlocked smuggling, you can start researching the next nodes in the tech tree: drug trafficking, human trafficking, international weapons trade etc. I’m pretty sure OP is heading for the Lord of War achievement.
- "Pssst pssst, I've got Shaoxing wine, Three Crabs brand fish sauce..."
  
  This instantly put the Resident Evil 4 "what are you buyin'" guy's voice in mind?

I used to work with a guy from Syria who had US/Canadian citizenship. He said every time he crossed the border he budgeted in 3 extra hours while he was detained.

"What are you in for?"
"Smuggling dark soy sauce."

- o7 cmdr

I did that once, when the Nexus phones weren't available in Switzerland but they were in Germany. I ordered it to a location close to the border that specifically offers a postal address as a service and went to pick it up.
The correct thing to do would have been to go to the border agents, get a confirmation that I'm bringing the merchandise out of the country and pay the Swiss VAT. With the confirmation I could theoretically get the VAT back from the seller I paid it to. Except that was Google and they weren't intending to sell it for export, so I doubt they would have helped with that.
What I did was unpack the phone, throw away the packaging, put my old phone in one jeans pocket and my new one in the other, and drive back over the boarder. Having two phones isn't that weird, so I thought I could get away with claiming them as personal items if I was asked. But I wasn't even stopped (they only do sampling at the crossing) so it was easy. But it was technically smuggling. Anything over 300 CHF needs to be declared and VAT paid, the phone was around 400 €.
My mom once went clothes shopping to Austria and didn't declare them. The border guard asked what she bought. She claimed clothes, but not over the limit. He was like no way, I know that brand, they must be worth more, checked the stuff, and discovered it was worth too much. She had to pay VAT plus a pretty decent fine.
I only crossed the US Canadian border once in each direction, but to me it seemed like they were way more strict and thorough than here in Europe within Schengen. So I'd be scared I think. But overall I still think your plan could work if you're careful with it. Maybe gaming laptop would be suspicious if you went for a one day trip, would be better if it was longer. But a phone not really.
- If you buy the phone to use it ourself, doesn't that mean that it is a personal item?
  
  Ah, yes it's for personal use, true. But the meaning of personal item as it relates to customs means an item that you take with you on the travels for your own use, so the assumption is that it leaves and re-enters your country with you. So that there is no net export or import involved. Here's the definition my government provides (helpfully even available in English).
  My claim, if asked, would have been, that I always use two phones and I just took both with me when I went to Germany and then obviously took both back to Switzerland.
- I have technically smuggled cheese and champagne into Canada with the help of a border guard.
  I studied there for a few years and usually came back to France for Christmas or summer and always brought some cheese and wine with me when going back to Canada. I declared them the first time, but after waiting 2 hours just to have a guy take a bewildered look at my 1kg piece of brie, 1kg of comté and 2 bottles of wine and ask "how much is that worth?" (To which the answer was like 150€ at most) I stopped declaring them.
  Once I was waiting for a friend at the airport and there was some border guard dude patrolling with a dog and I guess I stared at them too long wondering if the dog was trained to sniff non pasteurized french cheese, so the guy started questioning me. I didn't lie and he was understanding because I was obviously not going to prop up some cheese smuggling crime syndicate with these quantities, so he just let me go and told me I should have declared the items.
- It's been years since I've crossed the Canada/USA border, so things may be different today. But when I went, the Canada side was more concerned about smuggled weapons, while the USA side was more concerned about smuggled drugs. Still, it doesn't take much to trigger a border patrol search.
  Apparently if you go from New Brunswick in the morning, spend the day driving through Maine/New Hampshire/Vermont, and cross into Quebec the next day, that's suspicious enough to get detained for several hours and to have your entire car searched at the border. To me it just made sense to do a straight line drive through those states, since staying inside Canada between those two points would have been a much longer, more convoluted route. Silly me, being logical about my route without considering how others break international law.
  
  People in border towns are always on alert for people walking remote roads, hitchhikers, etc. The border strip itself is cleared and monitored with remote cameras, drones, patrols on horseback and ATVs, etc.
  My wife and I were bored and it was raining in northern NH so we decided to explore the far north end of NH. Then we decided "Since we are this close to the border lets go to Canada." We told the border officer that we were going for the day for lunch and he paused for a sec then waved us through. lol We ended up eating in a Greek restaurant and found out they still smoked in restaurants in Quebec.

Unless you can fly the Kessel run in twelve parsecs, you should probably leave the smuggling to career criminals.

Come visit the EU. People drive to other countries to get cheap gas and cigarettes all the time. Hell, when I lived near the border, 95% of my groceries were German.
- Yea, I read about Schengen and I love the concept.
  Unfortunately the rest of the world has not been enlightened and still have border control.
  I hope one day, there will be a world-wide Schengen area.
- I live near ze French border in BW and half the customers in the supermarket are French or Swiss.

No because once outside of the US people realise the country is shit and they don't want to come back anymore, so this will not work sadly enough.
- deleted by creator

Believe it or not, straight to jail.
- Only for a few weeks before a judge tells them to release you. And so they send you to a black site in another country with no trial.

They will definitely ask if you purchased anything. You can lie but if you get caught expect little to no leniency.
Can you get away with it? Probably, for some stuff. Is it worth it? You’re rolling some dice, you decide.

If they also consume it over the border, sure.
If they bring it back, they are importing it and that’s when you have to pay the tariff. If you’re thinking “just keep it in your trunk how will anyone know?” just consider how long smuggling has been a thing and ask yourself if you think border guards have thought of this. They have.
- Well for some items it's definitely easy. Laptop for example just say it's your laptop. No box or receipt you brought it with you. But it has to be like 1. And it's still illegal.

Couldn't someone living near a border just go over and buy stuff and skip the tariffs?
Yes, they could. Yes, they can. Yes, they do.
Yes, the ones who do it as a business get caught, eventually ;-)

Borders are patrolled by CBP (customs and border protection). Part of CBPs job is to charge you tarrifs on the stuff you're bringing into the country.
Sometimes I've had to pay import tarrifs many times when crossing back and forth (for the same thing over-and-over). Its best not to cross the border with expensive stuff.
- Sometimes I’ve had to pay import tarrifs many times when crossing back and forth (for the same thing over-and-over). Its best not to cross the border with expensive stuff.
  Bruh, that's is so scummy.

You will need a fast ship to evade the border patrols. May I suggest the Falcon here. She did the Kessel run in just twelve parsecs.
- Wait, but parsecs are a unit of dis...ohhhh

Don’t mind me officer, I am just carrying my personal TV and washing machine with me
- Don't mind me, I'm just carrying my um...
  glances at my stuff
  Personal Portable Gaming Desktop PC, 4K 144hz Monitor, Mechanical Keyboard, Gaming mouse, etc...
  👀
  whispers to border agent Btw, I'm a real gamer 😉
  
  whispers to border agent "Btw, I level up characters for Elon."
  Border agent waves you through.
  
  That's easy. Your friends had a LAN party 🤓

This work between certain states. For instance, you can drive into Oregon and shop with no sales tax then return to California or Washington with your goods.
Liquor is also much cheaper in some states than others—you can really stock up if you are already driving through a state.
- Fireworks are legal in New Hampshire but not Massachusetts. The MA police will stake out NH firework shops near the border before July 4 and pull over MA cars they see loading up once they cross back into the state…
- Can attest to liquor being cheaper in some states. My parents have crossed state lines in order to do things and they can get not only cheaper liquor but also slightly cheaper gas across state line as well.
- California has sales and use tax that requires you to disclose untaxed purchases made online or out of state. Probably get away with it, but is illegal to not report. You do you.

As I and others have mentioned elsewhere, you're taking a risk doing this, as if you get caught it will cost you more.
One other thing to keep in mind is warranties if anything goes wrong with the item. If you are trying to make it look like you brought the item with you, you'll be getting rid of all the documentation and packaging that proves you purchased it. That includes receipts. Warranties often require proof of purchase, so you may be throwing away your warranty by doing this.
Also, keep in mind that models and model numbers are often different in Canada. I've had phones that were identical to the US model but had a different model number. I've also had phones where they sold the European version in Canada (again with its own model number) and so it was basically a different phone from what you'd get in the States for the same model name (different CPU, different supported communication protocols.)
Often our model numbers will get a "CA" added to the end making it obvious. Sometimes it won't be obvious, but won't match model numbers you can easily find info for online. My current laptop model number is undiscoverable online because it is so rare. There are similar ones for which the info mostly matches my computer, but I'm not always able to find good info.
It's kind of funny watching Americans talk about this now as it was something we Canadians used to talk about all the time... Strategies for buying goods in the US to save money.

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.
  
  non-existing problem
  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.
- 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.

So, I live right on the Canadian border. Right there.
If I went over to Canada, somebody gave me a bunch of product for free, then I took that product and gave it to someone else for free, would that be legal? No money was exchanged.
Let's say the product was plushies. A large amount of them. What's the legality of that?
- That's a federal crime. If it's for your personal or household use and under $200 you're fine(unless you're coming from China).
  Doesn't seem like a good time to fuck with border control.
  
  Not saying I'd do it. Just proposing a hypothetical to get answers.
  How is it a federal crime, though? No money was exchanged.

The border patrol doesn't really care as long as the amounts are small. A lot of times, border patrol will even provide the limits.
If you are going to go over and you get inspected, you're going to need a good reason for what you've got. For instance, going for a day trip but coming back with a week's worth of clothes are going to be a red flag. Border patrol is also going to look at condition of the items if they are at the point they are inspecting the items.

Yes. But only one or two things at a time. It's illegal but like you said if you just say you had it when you entered Canada you'll probably get away with it.
If you come over with 100 laptops in your trunk you will almost certainly be forced to pay import duties on them.
Basically if you're trying to save some money personally yes it's possible. Under a certain dollar amount you can usually even do it legally as long as you don't intend to sell it. But if you're planning on making a business out of doing this and selling it in the US cheap then you're gonna get caught

Going across the border to buy something is completely legal. Bringing it back for resale is different. You said something you want, and then you said pretend it's a personal item. There's an inconsistency. If it's something you want, then it is a personal item. As long as it isn't illegal, you're legally fine. That being said, there are two things to be aware of. Legality is a bit more fluid these days (especially at the border), and I'd guess you'd look and act very suspicious, which would probably end poorly for you based on the first thing.
I did this often when I was in a country with VAT. It was cheaper to fly, buy the thing, and fly back. Or sail, which I also did.
- I really don't like the way this is worded. It sounds like you're saying that going across the border and buying a "personal" item and not declaring it is just fine.
  Yes it is perfectly legal to go across the border and buy something and bring it back (assuming we're talking about legal goods here, not drugs or contraband items, obviously.)
  But you must declare those items. If you get caught pretending it was an item you brought with you but you actually purchased across the border, you may be fined. When you are asked a bunch of questions by the border guard, they're looking for signs you're lying. If they get a whiff you're lying or uncomfortable, they'll start digging. If they catch you trying to avoid paying the duties on a laptop, not only will you have to pay the duties, you may have to pay a fine on top of that, not to mention every future border crossing you make may be more difficult. If they catch you trying to cheat they are way more likely to implement a fine and put a note on your file.
  There are (for now) certain amounts of money you can spend when you cross the border, which changes based on how long you've been gone, for which you won't be charged duties - but you still have to accurately declare what you've spent!
  
  That's probably a valid point. I just checked the import requirements into the States for citizens, and it does say you need to declare items. I have never bothered, was always asked, and usually said no, or maybe a bottle or two of liquor.
  No wait. The first time I traveled abroad was to Mexico via airplane, and I itemized everything. Including the gummy bears I bought, every coin I had, all currency, a small jar of sand from the beach, and a lot more. I filled up 3 pages. The border cops just rolled their eyes, and verbally told me to only declare anything over $10K. Last time I came into the States via boat, I just said personal stores, and it was also fine.
  If you want to follow the law to the letter, do it to the letter. If you don't get sunburned easily, maybe do that.
  ~~Bear in mind that it's easier to say you fucked up a form than lying to some badge wearing~~
  You know, it's been more than a year since I've been back to the States. Shit's gotten weird there. Listen to more recent anecdotal stuff, read the 6059b form, and decide your risk level.
  Never volunteer information, especially to cops. Otherwise, look at some other comments here. It's probably a more usual use-case. I'm not a good average person.
- Pretty sure this is false in most countries. You are required to disclose purchases and declare values, even for personal use. If they hit a certain thresholds, you'll have to pay a tax.
  Now I'm sure most people just ignore this, because practically they don't know which items you carried with you and which you purchased. But it isn't legal.
  
  Last time I crossed back into the US from Canada the agent gave my friend shit because she didn't have a physical receipt for the purchase she made and couldn't prove it was worth less than the threshold. Even though I live in a border city I rarely cross because the agents are such assholes

According to the customs and border protection website, there is a max limit of $200 that is free from duty and tax if you've spent at least 48 hours there, and it has to be for personal/household use. There are amount limits on alcohol and tobacco.
But if it's something like a single phone, you pay in cash and open it there and dispose of the packing material. You could get away with violating those restrictions, but at your own risk.
Side-note: The limit is $800 if you go to the Caribbean, and up to $1600 for places like US Virgin Islands
- Why is there any sort of limit at the US Virgin Islands? It's a US territory, you don't even go through customs.
  
  I've been to the USVI and you do go through customs. It's a separate customs zone.
  
  Because its a colony that's not equal.

If it's under a certain dollar amount and not to be sold, sure, but this is probably not going to practical for a lot of things unless you're pretty close to the border.
- “Oh yes, officer! This is my washer and dryer from home… I just felt like they needed a bit of fresh air!”

For residents of the United States the duty free limit when returning is 800 dollars worth of stuff. I believe that's every thirty days. You usually have to answer whether you exceed this limit in the declaration.
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.
If tariffs become a big thing, this will definitely happen more, but it will also get a lot more scrutiny from customs as well.
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?
Stuff that you exported and reimported for personal or business use, but not for resale, is exempt from duty with no dollar limits. If you want documented proof that you are reimporting, you can register the stuff at a customs office in the United States before you leave.
- For residents of the United States the duty free limit when returning is 800 dollars worth of stuff
  Well, they just removed the de mininis rule...
  Stuff that you exported and reimported for personal or business use, but not for resale, is exempt from duty with no dollar limits. If you want documented proof that you are reimporting, you can register the stuff at a customs office in the United States before you leave.
  I'm pretty sure nobody registers their personal smartphone and laptop every time they leave the US for a vacation.
  
  My understanding is that the de minimis tariff treatment for import shipments is different than the duty-free personal exemptions that apply for "accompanied baggage" when re-entering the USA and has the imported items with them.
  Assuming this CBP page is accurate, the $800 exemption is one of three possible exemptions that can still apply. The $1600 exemption only applies when returning with stuff from Guam, American Samoa, or USVI, and the $800 can only be claimed every 30 day. The last resort is the $200 exemption, which is always available, and ostensibly is there to allow Americans living near Canada or Mexico to not have to deal with border taxation just because they had to buy lunch or gasoline during day trips.
  
  I'm pretty sure nobody registers their personal smartphone and laptop every time they leave the US for a vacation.
  I agree with you on this, but CBP is certainly within their legal rights to interrogate you on the origins of your personal electronics, and they can make a determination that your stuff is subject to duty if it's over the limit and they don't believe you are reimporting.

There is a whole genre of smuggling that is literally just buying a bunch of watches or couple of high-end laptops or something and then throwing them in your suitcase and doing exactly this.
If you’re doing it with single items for personal use is it fine? Probably so, as long as you can avoid being extra stupid about it. Is it a good thing to get in the habit of? Oh mercy no.

Yes I live near a border and I know lots of people who do this.
- The ones that do it for family and friends get away with it, the ones that get peppy and decide to start flogging groceries, etc on Fb Marketplace get watched. It's really not something you want to try to profit from!!
  
  Like many things they won't bother for occasional personal use, but will come down with the hammer if it turns into a business.

There's a whole TV show about this:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Security:_Canada%27s_Front_Line

I live a few miles from the border and cross at least weekly. You could generally get away with this for a handful of things, especially if you're smart about it (dispose of all packaging and tags, have an otherwise legit reason for a short visit, etc).
But if they question you, and they determine you're intentionally lying about it, you can expect to pay additional fines and lose several hours of your life.