Crossing Border Canada to US

[MommaBear]

Just a quick question, hoping someone can help me!

We are spending a week at Sherkstons Beach in Ft. Erie in August. We would like to go over to Buffalo for the afternoon to shop/browse and have dinner at our favorite restaurant - Cracker Barrel.

I have been able to find tons of info on Americans coming into Canada. For a minimum of 48 hrs or less they are allowed to return to the US with $200 worth of goods per person, also cigs, alcohol, etc.

I can't find anything on Canadians entering US and then returning less than 48 hours later.

I would hate to do some shopping and then have to pay duty, etc. when crossing back into Canada.

Does anyone know how much Canadians are allowed when crossing over for an afternoon?

 

[maryliz]

Technically speaking, I don't believe that you are allowed to bring "anything" back if just over for an afternoon. However, it's really up to the customs officers as to whether or not you will pay the applicable taxes/duty. We always purchase knowing we could pay, and then are overjoyed the times that they don't make us. Whatever you do, don't try to hide anything, and don't bring back alcohol or cigarettes.

Here is a link to a site on the personal exemptions:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4044/rc4044-e.html#P181_22269


HTH,

MaryLiz

 

[MommaBear]

Thanks for the website info.

Doesn't seem quite fair that a Canadian can only bring back $50.00 worth of stuff after 24 hours but an American can return to US with $200.00 worth of stuff after less than 48 hours.

Oh well we weren't planning on spending huge amounts of $$$. But I thought if we saw a good deal we would grab it!

Dinner at Cracker Barrel still makes the trip worthwhile and I will just have to remind my boys to remember the exchange if they see anything they like in the malls.

Thanks again!

 

[cabmom]

I'm going over this weekend. I'm hoping to come back with a stoller and car seat without having to pay duty. Just don't be nervous if you overspend and don't lie! No booze or cigarettes, that's guarenteed to get you a ticket in to the cashier!

Good luck and don't forget about Avenue!

Marilynn

 

[SaraMc]

I belive that they are trying to change how much we are allowed to bring over because well its silly that there is such a diffrence in the amount you are allowed to bring back. Im going over on tuesday with my mom and my sister, 3 women one afternoon. We are so getting pulled over.

Yahoo


S

 

[SnowWhite]

Whenever my DH and I go over to Niagara Falls NY we always buy lots of kids clothes at the Prime Outlets with full intentions of paying the duties if asked. We sometimes go overboard and spend over $100 and then we fib a little and tell them around $90. (no flames please) We usually get a very nice "Have a nice day". Once we were told by a female customs agent to go inside and pay the duty on our "$90" but when my DH got inside the gentleman asked him what he had purchased and when he told him kids clothes, he told us to "have a nice day." We are always prepared to pay but it is nice when they don't make you!! I would assume that if we had purchased anything else that we may have had to pay the duties. All I can say is never wear your sunglasses when going through customs and look them in the eye at all times! Have fun....We love the Cracker Barrel too!!!