Going through customs from Buffalo to Canada

[JenH1969]

It will be a Tuesday afternoon- what should we expect?

Thanks so much, Jen

 

[R.S.Winters]

If ur a Canadian Citizen, generally pretty painless if u have the correct ID!
Drive up, pay the toll, show ur passports. Answer the questions if that ask any at all...
Then drive on thru...

Dx

 

[disney0210]

We've always crossed the Queenston-Lewiston bridge before most people wake up, and that's about 5am. There's probably about 6 cars ahead of us. There was a time that we were a bit late, say about 10am, and the backup was from the QEW. From then on, we said never again.

Before you do go, check out this website as it provides real time info on delays. They update this about once an hour. This is my favorite and it's very accurate.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html

Good luck!

 

[jmtf2004]

If you are returning to Canada, in addition to your ID, have the receipts for your purchases available so you won't have to dig for them if they ask to see them. The customs person will probably ask for the total value of the goods you are bringing back with you. They will also want to know if you have any alcohol with you.
If you are a US citizen they will ask for photo ID, the reason for your visit, estimate of how long you will be in Canada...if everything appears to be in order, that's about it. They will send you on your way.

 

[mkmommy]

The last 3 times I have crossed at Fort Erie returning into Canada all I have been asked is where do I live, and this includes when I have travelled alone with 2 daughters. Now going through customs at Pearson is a whole different story

 

[disneynovic]

I crossed at Buffalo as well in the beginning of Dec. It was around 2:30pm on a Sunday, and there was NOBODY ahead of us. I think everyone was still shopping, we saw the big tour buses at the Galleria. I spent well over $500, but had claimed only $500, and had receipts ready in an envelope. Since this was a 48 hour trip, I wasn't over by too much, but still got sent to the building to pay taxes. One tip, don't just hand over your receipts, don't even have them in your hand, wait to be asked for them. Chances are they won't ask. I was asked if any of the merchandise was kids clothes(which alot was), and I had to pay less than $10 in taxes in total. A little inconvenient, but there was no line in the building.

 

[JenH1969]

Why about the kid's clothes?

I will be gone for 16 days- how much are we entitled to spend? My dh, myself, dd12 and ds 6 (is it same for kids?)

How does bringing alcohol over work?

Do you pack all your purchases in one suitcase or just keep all receipts together?

Yes- I am very new to this-
Thanks so much, Jen

 

[disneynovic]

Here is the website to check out http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/faqs-eng.html
I believe there's also a list of duty-free items. With children's clothes, iwe only pay one tax, so the customs people can only charge us the one tax. I think that's all the government wants, their taxes on the products you bought. The children wouldn't be able to bring alcohol back, obviously. Looks like you can bring back $750 worth dutyfree after 7 days. I don't think they want to see the stuff, just your receipts, most times they don't even want to see that.

 

[KNovacovschi]

When we came home we crossed at Queenston-Lewiston bridge and we brought back about $750US worth of stuff and we were gone for 7 days...they asked how much we spent and how long we were gone for but did not ask for the receipts...I said $750 US and they let us through without paying any taxes...I would suggest though to have the receipts ready...I have been asked for them on previous trips over the bridge...

 

[JenH1969]

When they ask for your total- do they want to know the family's total or each individual total?

Is alcohol that much cheaper in the US?

Thanks for the site and info- Jen

 

[snickerboo]

I've come back accross at Peace Bridge and Queenston (also Sarnia and Windsor-we go to the US a lot) and never had a problem. Write down approximately what you spent, look them in the eyes and just answer honestly. You're allowed about $400/person for a stay over 48 hours. My dh always says it's the same for the kids but I'm not too sure. The only time we spent over $400 on stuff coming back was this past Christmas when we stayed 48 hours, did all our shopping, and brought back about $800, and even then they didn't care. I would say , "we spent about $XXXX each" or "we spent $XXXX as a family". Have your receipts handy if possible (I always keep mine in an envelope). You don't have to declare anything you spent that isn't coming back into Canada. I find when you say you've been to Disney, they don't give a rat's patootie-they know you're bringing back stuff but it's not stuff about which they're concerned.

Alcohol is an important one because alcohol and tobacco are the two things about which they are very sticky, and they will definitely ask, "any tobacco or alcohol?"! It is one bottle per person of 'spirits' or one case of beer, period. Is it much cheaper? ABSOLUTELY!

 

[disney0210]

When they ask for your total- do they want to know the family's total or each individual total?

Is alcohol that much cheaper in the US?

Thanks for the site and info- Jen

They want the family's total, get your receipts out and ready, but 9 times out of 10 they won't want to see it especially if they see you holding them out already.

Yes, alcohol is much cheaper there. Half of what we pay here. That's why it's so regulated.

 

[MrMarv]

Why is alcohol regulated in Canada in the first place?

How far back did they push back the passport requirement for US citizens?

 

[Snoella]

The amount allowed is per person, including kids (but no alcohol or tobacco obviously).

 

[disneyfan2]

It will be a Tuesday afternoon- what should we expect?

Thanks so much, Jen

as long as it is not too close to rush after ie after 3pm, you should be ok. But be safe, get over earlier then expected, stop for last minute shopping Walmart, Target etc, and have lunch.

 

[JenH1969]

I am thinking it is going to be about 4:30 when we cross into Canada


If we were to bring back an extra 40 ouncer- what would we need to do and pay. Thanks, Jen

 

[Snoella]

Just declare what you have and they will tell you how much to pay.

Everytime we cross it different. When we buy a case of beer and groceries on a day trip, sometimes we get the go ahead and sometimes we have to pay. Just be honest with what you have.

 

[JenH1969]

But IF you had to pay how much would it be? I just want to know if it is worth it if we do need to pay- KWIM

Thanks,Jen

 

[disneynovic]

FYI DH came home from the US yesterday, and the duty-free shop had buy 2 bottles of Baileys for $45. These are the 1.14 litre bottles that each cost about $35 here. I think if you buy an extra bottle, you may have to pay our taxes on it, but not 100% sure.