I mean, say, you want a really nice camera, or a drone, or maybe a gaming laptop, and since those things are made in China, they are too expensive to buy right now in the US, since tariffs are over 100%. 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.
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?
Not saying I’d do it. Just proposing a hypothetical to get answers.
How is it a federal crime, though? No money was exchanged.
Because it’s the law, that is why it’s a crime.
Because they care about the value of the item, not what you paid for it.
Because they’re not stupid, and stupid people have been trying to find easy loop holes forever.
Do you have to declare your car if you drive across the border?
No because you brought it over with you. You only declare things you bring back that you didn’t have when you left.