Suggested Procedure for Obtaining Documents Prior to Shipping your Counterpoint Product to Alta Vista Audio from Canada

The following tips were kindly provided by Mr. Martin Bender of Ottowa.

Before sending your Counterpoint item to Alta Vista Audio for servicing or modifications, here are some tips to help avoid confusion and/or having to pay duties at customs when the unit returns.

You need to obtain a Y38 "Identification of Articles For Temporary Exportation" permit, or "green card." It is actually green. This document will help you send and receive your amp will the minimum of hassle at customs.

• If you purchased the product in Canada, present yourself along with the product and the bill of sale for inspection to a customs officer. Explain that you want to send your product to the U.S. for calibration. This can be done at an airport, or the nearest location to you in the Federal Government section of your local phone book. You may be asked to provide identification, e.g. your driver's license with photo. Have the officer look at the serial number of the product (a visual confirmation of what you have written may be required; depends how busy they are) and sign and stamp the "green card."
  
  
• If you purchased the amp within the U.S. in the last five years or so, present yourself along with the product, photo ID, the bill of sale, and some proof that you paid the applicable duty on the amp at the time of its original purchase to a customs officer for inspection. The best proof is a form B15-1 "Casual Goods Accounting Document" which has an itemized list of taxes and duties paid at time of importation. Due to the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the U.S., over the past few years duties were gradually eliminated entirely on certain items and this is what the customs officer needs to know: what the duty might have been when you purchased the product. (As of this writing, there is no duty charged on stereo gear purchased in the U.S. by Canadians. You will pay GST and PST on the converted value to $CDN of the purchase price.) Follow up with the signature and stamp.
  
  
• If it's been more than 5 years since you purchased the product, you'll still have to bring the amp to a customs officer
  for inspection, and then explain that you no longer have the receipt. Hopefully, they'll believe you and issue a 'green card'. After all, the statute of limitations for income tax purposes is 5 years...and they can't expect you to have every receipt, right?
  

You can now ship the unit to Alta Vista Audio by the carrier of your choice. Be certain to pack it properly and insure it. Refer to the Shipping Information page. Enclose a note with your unit, specifying that the shipping invoice is to show that the amplifier was sent to Alta Vista Audio for "calibration under existing service agreement" at no charge.

When your amp returns to Canada, should there be problems with Customs, you have your Y38 to show that the item was registered and duties paid prior to leaving Canada.