Customs: How much can we bring back?

[Bea]

We are going to Niagara Falls for a few days this summer, and are considering going to Buffalo to shop for a few hours. Does anyone know how much we can bring back without having to pay customs fees?

 

[nosnobunny2006]

If you're only going for a few hours, you cannot legally bring anything back without paying duty. Sorry.

Beth

 

[Bea]

Thanks. I am used to going to WDW for 7+ days and not having to worry about duty (5 people x $750.00). I guess this time we will have to be aware of the duty taxes.

 

[minnie56]

They most often will turn a blind eye to anythin g around $50 ...but after that you pay the taxes, not duty. It is neglible. I go across shopping all the time. Declare, pay GST and PST (Except on Kids clothing) and it amounts to little. Last trip I think I declared $400 and paid approx $50 in fees.

 

[disneyfan2]

Are you going for a few days or a few hours. if you are there for 48hr i believe you can bring $200 pp

 

[highland3]

You can bring back all the grocery items you want. We make day trips all the time. As long as you stick to honest to goodness grocery items (not hair care, clothes, etc.) They don't charge taxes.

 

[connorsmom911]

If you stay 24hrs, you are allowed to bring back $50, 48 hrs $200, and 7 days $750, per person, duty free. Anything over those amounts and you will need to declare, show your receipts and pay the applicable taxes and sometimes duty (although most items that are made in the US are still duty free). It is far better to be honest and pay the negligible amount of taxes than get stopped, searched and fined. You will forever be red-flagged after that.

 

[minnie56]

If you stay 24hrs, you are allowed to bring back $50, 48 hrs $200, and 7 days $750, per person, duty free. Anything over those amounts and you will need to declare, show your receipts and pay the applicable taxes and sometimes duty (although most items that are made in the US are still duty free). It is far better to be honest and pay the negligible amount of taxes than get stopped, searched and fined. You will forever be red-flagged after that.

It is now (since the last budget) $400 after 48 hours.
Very few items are dutiable. Many/most are taxable and if you are honest, they are indeed more than reasonable. Not nearly as painful as one might expect!

 

[NikP]

It is now (since the last budget) $400 after 48 hours.
Very few items are dutiable. Many/most are taxable and if you are honest, they are indeed more than reasonable. Not nearly as painful as one might expect!

Is this posted on a government site? $400 after 48 hours? I haven't heard this before. I would love this to be true. I'm planning a big shopping spree in June.

 

[minnie56]

Yup...

http://www.bridgedutyfree.com/caallowances.html

 

[wannago2disney]

I don't think that they are very consistent. We are from Sarnia and go over 2-3 times per month for groceries and what not. It really depends on the person you get at the customs booth sometimes...even though they would deny it...they always ask specifically for alcohol or tobacco....and when you are going over for just the day the "duty free" is not necessarily duty free.

My advice would be to be aware of your prices at home and know if/what you are willing to pay if you have to. Don't forget to count the exchange rate and state tax that you pay there and then you get nabbed our GST and PST (if applicable) plus custom's charge (min $5.00) if you get pulled in.

Either way, have a great time and happy shopping!

 

[siobhan1997]

It is now (since the last budget) $400 after 48 hours.
Very few items are dutiable. Many/most are taxable and if you are honest, they are indeed more than reasonable. Not nearly as painful as one might expect!

Are you sure it is now $400 for 48 hours. I know that it was part of the 2007 Federal Budget, but even the government website is still saying only $200. Can anyone else clarify if it is $200 or $400. I would sure like to know before I cross June 1st.

I hadn't heard the budget had been passed by the governement yet?

 

[dhluvsDisney]

This is a good question, as my impression is that this has been passed and into effect, however, when we just flew back to Wpg late Monday night, the customs declaration paper still said $200 and I was wondering whether they just had not updated their forms.

 

[minnie56]

I understood that it became effective April 01 but that's all I know? I just came back from NYC May 7th. We, each of 5, declared approx $500 USD after 5 nights away and they didn't bat an eyelash?

Websites aren't always updated..perhaps calling might be more accurate?

 

[NikP]

Yup...

http://www.bridgedutyfree.com/caallowances.html

This is perfect. We will also be using the Sarnia Blue water Bridge. Thanks minnie56!!

 

[wannago2disney]

Are you sure it is now $400 for 48 hours. I know that it was part of the 2007 Federal Budget, but even the government website is still saying only $200. Can anyone else clarify if it is $200 or $400. I would sure like to know before I cross June 1st.

I hadn't heard the budget had been passed by the governement yet?

We were over last night for supper (we cross @ sarnia) and we grabbed the "I declare for Canadians" book....and asked about this while we were pulled in for a random search....they told us as of yesturday they are still following the posted amounts....I don't know about the new budget allowance or when that is supposed to start or what, but that is what we were told last night.
The only reason we thought to ask about this is because of this thread! I hope this helps...if it contradicts what others have posted, perhaps the customs officers are unsure themselves (although it is their job to know and to treat us all the same).

 

[NikP]

We were over last night for supper (we cross @ sarnia) and we grabbed the "I declare for Canadians" book....and asked about this while we were pulled in for a random search....they told us as of yesturday they are still following the posted amounts....I don't know about the new budget allowance or when that is supposed to start or what, but that is what we were told last night.
The only reason we thought to ask about this is because of this thread! I hope this helps...if it contradicts what others have posted, perhaps the customs officers are unsure themselves (although it is their job to know and to treat us all the same).

This doesn't make any sense at all because it is the Sarnia Blue water bridge website that actually had the amount raised to $400. On no other government site or bridge authority has the amounts increase except for Sarnia. I am extremely confussed. Is anyone else??

 

[NikP]

Yup...

http://www.bridgedutyfree.com/caallowances.html

Okay I followed this link again and noticed that it is not customs saying amounts have increased, it is just the Dutyfree "Store"information. I wouldn't take this as being creditable. They are infact trying to get people to spend more money. I think I will go on the old values when calculating my exemption and the true cost of things that I am purchasing.

Hope our government can get it together and update their information.

 

[wannago2disney]

If you are crossing at Niagara, Rainbow Bridge? I would just walk into Customs and get a straitforward answer from the agents on duty before you cross. That way you know what's what! in the meantime I would plan on the amounts that are posted...if the agents tell you different while you are there well then that is just a bonus!
As for Duty Free, they are an entity unto themselves sometimes I think....We sometimes stop and grab a case of beer for my husband when we go over and on one trip, we heard one of the cashiers claiming to a customer that they could not be charged any duty on the purchase because they bought it from Duty Free. THAT IS NOT TRUE. The things there are subject to charges the same as everything else. I have a friend who works at customs and she told me that....I called and ask her about this purchase amount dilema but she is on maternity leave and doesn't have a clue!!
Sorry I couldn't get better or clearer info for you

 

[nosnobunny2006]

Duty Free stores are independent businesses trying to sell goods. They do not neccessarily give you the correct information on what's allowed and what isn't. Last month I had a clerk tell me that I could bring over a 66 oz bottle of rye but only at the Peace Bridge. Yeah right.

Beth