Buying wood products in Canada for use in USA

[conohawk]

I live in Bellingham, WA.  My close proximity to the border with British Columbia has me very interested in taking advantage of the lower price and (possibly) higher quality wood products available in that province.

For those who have done so recently, would you mind sharing your knowledge of the process of bringing lumber over the border?   I understand the US is imposing a tariff on soft-wood lumber.  But I don't know if this has an impact on individuals buying lumber for their own use, as opposed to wholesale purchase.

Thank you

[glenn kangiser]

I don't know directly but from articles here it looks like it's getting better.

http://www.canada.com/national/features/softwooddispute/index.html

[Amanda_931]

Of course, two years ago, the nearest big box store was selling 2x4's from AUSTRIA when there was a mill producing them not fifteen miles away.

[DavidLeBlanc]

Unfinished soft lumber from Canada attracts a dumping duty. Sub-assemblies do not. If you can have a kit cut in CA, you can save big.

[jraabe]

Also if you go up with your own truck and get materials for personal use I understand you do not have to pay duty. That information is over a year old so things may have changed — politics always does.

[conohawk]

Also if you go up with your own truck and get materials for personal use I understand you do not have to pay duty. That information is over a year old so things may have changed — politics always does.

Indeed, my intention is to pick up the material myself.  

I  will report back to this group what I learn when I discuss the matter with US Customs within the next several days.

Thanks all for your replies.

-Mark

[conohawk]

Also if you go up with your own truck and get materials for personal use I understand you do not have to pay duty. That information is over a year old so things may have changed — politics always does.

Speaking with US Customs today,  I was able to confirm that this policy remains in effect.

[borgdog]

Cool, although it would be a longer trip for me, it might be worth it.  have you actually checked prices to see how much you would save?  

[conohawk]

Cool, although it would be a longer trip for me, it might be worth it.  have you actually checked prices to see how much you would save?  

Having recently completed a materials list for my cabin, I have collected prices from local sources.  I'll check prices over the border within a few days.   I'll update this thread at that time.  

[Bart_Cubbins]

For those interested, I was pricing the lumber at the Vancouver Home Depot this weekend... prices in CDN$ and rounded off a bit...

2x lumber, good condition:

2x4x8	$3.15
2x4x10	$3.85
2x6x8	$4.95
2x6x10	$6.80
2x8x10	$8.25
2x8x14	$11.30
2x10x10	$10.80
2x10x12	$14.00
2x10x16	$22.00
2x12x12	$19.00
2x12x16	$25.00

Treated posts:

4x4x12	$14.50
4x6x12	$22.50
6x6x12	$37.50

4x8 sheets:

7/16 OSB	$17
1/2 spruce ply	$20
5/8 std fir t&g ply	$27
5/8 select fir t&g ply	$30
3/4 std fir t&g ply	$33

Edited... forgot to say that the fir ply was tongue and groove.

[rwalter]

For those interested, I was pricing the lumber at the Vancouver Home Depot this weekend... prices in CDN$ and rounded off a bit...

2x lumber, good condition:

2x4x8	$3.15
2x4x10	$3.85
2x6x8	$4.95
2x6x10	$6.80
2x8x10	$8.25
2x8x14	$11.30
2x10x10	$10.80
2x10x12	$14.00
2x10x16	$22.00
2x12x12	$19.00
2x12x16	$25.00

Treated posts:

4x4x12	$14.50
4x6x12	$22.50
6x6x12	$37.50

4x8 sheets:

7/16 OSB	$17
1/2 spruce ply	$20
5/8 std fir ply	$27
5/8 select fir ply	$30
3/4 std fir ply	$33

The plywood and sheeting prices seem a high. I can get locally 1/2 #2 rated OSB for around $12  a sheet and 1/2 #2 4ply plywood for around $13 and that is in US dollars. I live near Buffalo, NY so I could go to Canada very easily to get lumber. The 2x material seems about the same price as locally but you would save the 15-20% in the currency exchange.