1 day buffalo shopping trip

[petbren]

Went across the border today, and wanted to let everyone know my experience. Had a nice day , first time I ever crossed all by myself
Went to Target, then Walden Galleria Mall.
DD will turn 12 next week, and now that we no longer have LaSenza girl here, fell in love with Justice when we ran into one on our trip to Kalahari Resort in March. We got a discount card at that time-spend $50, get $25 off, so I wanted to pick her up some things for her birthday.
Anyway, bought a few things, Crocs were buy one get one 1/2 off, so got two pair of those, new pair of shoes for me at DSW, and come stuff at Target.
I was back in the line to return to Canada and I noticed about every other car was being sent to the Customs area. Sure enough, when I said I had just been out for the day, and spent $210 (may have not included one shoe purchase in that total), I too got sent to the dreaded customs parking area.
I ended up paying only $10.79 on what was listed as" children's apparel" on the form, but people around me were grumbling about what they had to pay.
I still, for the life of me have no idea how this fee was calculated, but consider myself lucky, and still got what I think were some great deals and stuff I just can't get her.
Long story short, if you go, plan on having to pay something, but what, is still a bit of a mystery to me

 

[minnie56]

You are paying the taxes (GST and PST) on the converted amount and of course less tax on childrens purchases. I find I am sent in about every 3-4 times..the rest of the time I am waved through so I figure 'that's ok'!!!!

Sounds like you had fun and got some good buys!

 

[Tiggs14]

We've crossed many times and have been flagged through each time. We don't buy much and always have two young kids with us.

Thanks for the warning that they're flagging a lot of people we may reconsider planning a shopping only trip next month...

 

[minnie56]

I am going tomorrow, will let you know how we make out!

 

[connorsmom911]

It truly is a crap shoot whether you'll be flagged to go in and pay or not. I've had about a 50/50 split on being waved through or not. And then once you're inside, again it's a crap shoot depending on which customs agent you get, and what they decide to classify your purchases as. I've had some be really nice and classify most of my clothing purchases as "children's" which means less taxes, or I've had some classify a Target reciept with toys, book, dvds, etc as electronics which was huge duty, and taxes!!

You never really know, and they know they've got you, because really, who is going to stand there and argue with a customs agent? Well, I'm sure there are some, but then I'm sure they would just make you pay more by searching your car or something!

I feel for the customs agents though. I certainly wouldn't want their job!!

 

[Tiggs14]

For those of you that are being pulled in to pay duties/taxes are you also getting your car searched?

 

[dsneygirl]

That blue ink form you got (B15) will have a break down of all the items you were charged on and the applicable rates.

Just read across the columns and you will see description then GST PST and DUTY rates and total.

I had to pay $16 a few weeks ago and they did not look in the car. On Black Friday we had to pay and they also came out and looked all through the car.

 

[Alderbrook]

I've never been pulled over yet (knock on wood) but I figure with all the times I've gotten away with not paying, it will be worth the time I do finally get pulled over.

 

[GrUvGrL]

In my opinion, if you are planning on doing quite a bit of shopping, best thing to do is go for 48hrs spend the night and come back tax free on $400 of purchases per person!

Sure you have to pay for hotel room for the night, but I have had to pay that in taxes after a rushed day trip of shopping and running in and out of stores as fast as you can. Kinda like going on a contest timed shopping spree that YOU are paying for.

Having said that, if you feel you can only go for the day, or prefer to, don't try and hide your purchases. I did see someone get harshly reprimanded for not declaring a pair of new shoes he was wearing and it would suck to not be able to cross the border for 6 months over a $30 pair of shoes!

 

[Disney Ontario]

A few hints I do all the time- down size the amounts of bags you have, now when I go over with our two older daughters, I bring a cute re useable bag for each of us and that will also help organize all our purchases. Also I try to separate my purchases.eg a magazine and make up or smaller items that I can throw in my purse, I will buy seperate.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I never worry about having to pay when I go over, which is a lot. I only buy things that I can't get at home or else things that are significantly cheaper.

Never, every lie about what you have. If you get caught you will be flagged and every single time you cross you will be pulled in and physically inspected. As a PP stated...is it worth the hassle just for a pair of shoes????

If you don't want to stay over for the weekend then buy whatever you want but be prepared to pay at the border. I think that if you spend more than $75-$100 you most likely will pay.

 

[Alderbrook]

I never worry about having to pay when I go over, which is a lot. I only buy things that I can't get at home or else things that are significantly cheaper.

Never, every lie about what you have. If you get caught you will be flagged and every single time you cross you will be pulled in and physically inspected. As a PP stated...is it worth the hassle just for a pair of shoes????

If you don't want to stay over for the weekend then buy whatever you want but be prepared to pay at the border. I think that if you spend more than $75-$100 you most likely will pay.

I always spend over $200 & always give all my receipts to the border guard & have never been pulled over in 3 years of crossing just for the day. Maybe I have an honest face

I only spend $$$ on my son's clothes or do Xmas shopping for all the kids in our family because the clothing prices are so cheap compared to here. Things I can get here for the same price or a little cheaper I never bother with. I never go to Target because I don't find their prices really that different & they carry almost all the same things as Zellers does.

 

[branmack]

Cross at Fort Erie as they tend to allow more purchases. Queenston is more likely to pull you over.

With the dollar going over PAR, officers are more likely to pull people over. Last time the dollar was par and over, people went crazy. Shopping bus trips increased and Customs had to start searching the buses because people were claiming they had $500.00 for a weekend trip and they were actully spending 3 times that.

The officers tend to allow $50.00 per person on day trips. This is dependant on the officer. If they go by the book, zero dollars for day trips. Don't hide things, it is not worth it. The officers has seen every trick. The more honest and nicer you are to them, the nicer they will be to you.

 

[Alderbrook]

Cross at Fort Erie as they tend to allow more purchases. Queenston is more likely to pull you over.

With the dollar going over PAR, officers are more likely to pull people over. Last time the dollar was par and over, people went crazy. Shopping bus trips increased and Customs had to start searching the buses because people were claiming they had $500.00 for a weekend trip and they were actully spending 3 times that.

The officers tend to allow $50.00 per person on day trips. This is dependant on the officer. If they go by the book, zero dollars for day trips. Don't hide things, it is not worth it. The officers has seen every trick. The more honest and nicer you are to them, the nicer they will be to you.

So true, my cousin is president of the union for the Sarnia customs & used to work in the kiosks at the border all the time before that. I asked him how they know people are lying & he said they are sooooo trained to pick up on things it's nuts, unfortunately he wouldn't let me know their secrets

I cross in Niagara Falls all the time, never a problem, but if they pulled me over it would be fine, there's nothing to hide in the car & I declare my total amount all the time.

 

[minnie56]

Okay--we shopped there today. Picked up some goods we had shipped to Lewiston and then shopped the Outlet Mall. We declared everything...$400++ for me and $250 for my friend. We were sent in to pay taxes..I paid $52 and my friend paid $31. No biggie..we got great buys and had a super day!

The lines were very busy and they were sending in more than usual I must add...

 

[SaraMc]

I find for me, its about every 4th or 5th time I cross I get pulled over. The last time my DD ( 11 months) was screaming and not happy and he could barely hear us over her. He just said, go, get moving so she will stop crying.