[Canuck]

Its not just the IRS.
About five years ago having attended a swap meet near Seattle I was crossing the border to return home and when asked the value of my purchases and I declared the approximate amount. I had to pay some taxes on the amount as it was above my exemption limit for 48 hours. The customs officer asked if I had receipts and I had none explaining it was all purchased at a swap meet and receipts generally are not given. He told me in no uncertain terms that in the future all items purchased at a swap meet must have a receipt or the goods would be confiscated. I was declaring their proper value.

Fast forward to spring 2006 I was returning over the border from picking up about 6 items purchased on ebay. I generally print off my ebay transactions. One item had shipped sooner than expected and I did not have the receipt however I declared at at $100 as I had paid $88.00 plus shipping. The customs office asked for my ebay handle so he could look the invoice. I provided the handle and when I offered the password he said he did not need it as customs had a "law enforcement password to access all accounts". This blew me away. He used his password but could not find the item and he refused to use my password. They again threathened to confiscate the item. I then kooked up the item on my blackberry and showed him the amount I had paid. When I suggested their password did nor provide the right access another Customs office got pissed and said to me "are you suggesting that officer does not know how to use a computer?". It was a loose loose situation. Be honest and declare and they want to make a criminal out of you any way. There are some days when these guys just want to be pricks.

I have my items shipped to a US address as UPS and Fedex do a major rape job on small packages when shipping over the border.

Paul