I agree, although I think you are slightly off on your penalty.
I dont believe they impound you for improperly declared goods unless you cant afford, or otherwise refuse to pay the duty.

Either way, not a good situation to be in, as Im sure they make some sort of notation of your name.

I prefer to have items sent to friends in the states, then forwarded on to me.

 

Actually he is pretty bang on. They do impound vehicles all the time because of this.

 

I would say its cheaper in the US because it comes from China, goes to the US and then comes to Canada...this means that we are paying all of these taxes and duties and shipping charges twice to get the product here and all of these things are subject to mark-up by the end of the stream, plus there is an extra middle man known as the Canadian distrivutor who has to make money...if we were importing things directly from China instead of buying Chinese products through the US we would save alot of money...those that are doing that though just raise their prices to match the 90% of brands that don't

 

and about eh border impounding your car they don't do that...they wil confiscate the merchandise though. I know this cause when I brought my Hifonics Cyclops amps over I actually declared them for the price I paid but when they pulled me over to pay they called hifonics who said each amp was worth 5 grand and I paid nowhere near that for a pair so they started verbally abusing me and put me in the little room and interogated me etc. it was scary but at the end of it I left with my amps

 

sorry bro but I work in customs and the only reason why the would impound his vehicle is if he had drugs in it. audio equipment...they would confiscate it if the cus didn't have the money to pay the taxes and duties if applicable. They don't confiscate vehicles for minor infractions like that.

 

Well you can tell me that all you want but I have seen it first hand a vehicle get impounded and sold at auction do to a set of tires and booze believe it or not. I believe they make they own rules and nothing is set in stone. I think it all depends on the agents and there mood. So yes I believe some have gotten away with the equipment seized and a slap on the wrist. But it wouldn't be me.