[Smokin' Joe]

Because of the high Canadian dollar, almost par now with the USD, border states are experiencing a retail sales boom, even car sales are booming, due to prices in Canada being on average 30% higher than American prices on all goods (Canadian retailers are the only ones unhappy with the high Canadian dollar, yet they refuse to lower their prices).

Not sure how it works, but do Canadians who buy big ticket items in the Uniited States avoid the GST, VAT, or provincial taxes?

[Nathan Zachary]

They don't pay PST, and depending on the goods, electronics, farm equipment, building supplies, no GST either. They pay GST on clothing when they declare at the border. They are coming in droves right now, stocking up for xmas I guess. It will probably remain busy right through now, unless their dollar goes back down, which I doubt.
It might hit official par today, although most retailers this side of the border have been giving Canadians par for weeks now.

[Nathan Zachary]

They are saving thousands on vehicles as well, even after the Canadian taxes.