Provincial Sales Tax -> BC PST -> Visitors to BC
I'm a Visitor to BC - Do I Have to Pay PST on the Things I Buy?
PST was re-implemented in BC effective April 1, 2013.
Yes, you will have to pay PST on most taxable items that you rent (equipment, for example) or purchase in BC, and take possession of in BC. There are exceptions for motor vehicle purchases, in certain circumstances (see below).
If you buy something and have it shipped by the seller to an out-of-province location, then you may not have to pay the PST. For more information, see the following BC Small Business and Revenue information:
Am I required to charge PST to tourists and other customers that live outside BC?Bulletins & brochures (in pdf format)
Bulletin PST 308 - PST on Vehicles (pdf) - see Vehicles purchased for use outside BC, on page 13.
Bulletin PST 309 - PST and Non-Residents (pdf)
Form FIN 462 Out-of-Province Delivery Exemption (pdf) - This form is to be used by sellers when the goods are being shipped to an address out of the province.
For other information (unrelated to sales taxes) for visitors to BC, see the BC Government Tourism and Immigration web page.
Back to BC PST
Revised: October 26, 2023