New Cross Border Allowance

[LSmith]

This is great for the shoppers out there:

Cross-border shoppers will be able to bring back more duty-free goods under new budget measures announced Thursday.

As of June 1, travellers coming back after 24 hours away will be able to bring in $200 worth of goods free of duty or taxes, an increase from just $50.

People gone more than 48 hours will be allowed $800 in duty-free goods, double the present $400 allowance.

There is no longer any specified seven-day limit on duty-free purchases.

The changes are designed to harmonize levels with those of the United States, and will streamline the border-crossing process.

The budget estimated that the higher limits will cost the government $13 million in this fiscal year and $17 million in the full 2013-14 fiscal year.

 

[glenpreece]

awesome news!!!!!

 

[ChisJo]

You have NO idea how happy this makes me - this has been a long time coming! Its about time!

 

[networktek]

thats great news to hear

 

[NikP]

Too bad this isn't April 1 instead of June 1.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

I wish they'd doubled the 7 day limit... I'm usually around $1200-$1500 when I do Disney... Once I spent around $1750!!! EEEEK! But I'm honest about it and I pay the amount they asked. On my $1750 it was only $50.

 

[Sue M]

Yay! But the govt. should reduce the duty they make Canadian Retailers so they can be more competitive with the US. They have to pay 18% more then their US counterparts.

 

[papertraveller]

The thing I like about this change is that it should simplify the job of the border officials, and allow them to focus on security matters rather than whether you bought an extra sweater.

 

[darwinsrule]

The thing I like about this change is that it should simplify the job of the border officials, and allow them to focus on security matters rather than whether you bought an extra sweater.

Exactly. Now if we could only get the returning Canadian lines rolled out at airports across the country it would help as well. Last time we came through Pearson (and trust me it was the last time) the wait at customs was over an hour as well landed just after an A380 from Dubai. Maybe it will make the crossing at Queenston a little quicker come August when we travel again.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

This is great for the shoppers out there:

Cross-border shoppers will be able to bring back more duty-free goods under new budget measures announced Thursday.

As of June 1, travellers coming back after 24 hours away will be able to bring in $200 worth of goods free of duty or taxes, an increase from just $50.

People gone more than 48 hours will be allowed $800 in duty-free goods, double the present $400 allowance.

There is no longer any specified seven-day limit on duty-free purchases.

The changes are designed to harmonize levels with those of the United States, and will streamline the border-crossing process.

The budget estimated that the higher limits will cost the government $13 million in this fiscal year and $17 million in the full 2013-14 fiscal year.

Just so everyone is clear, because it's not being reported consistently, once you reach 48 hours, the limit maxes out at $800. Some sources are reporting that there is no limit once you've been gone 7 days, but that is incorrect.

 

[ChisJo]

Just so everyone is clear, because it's not being reported consistently, once you reach 48 hours, the limit maxes out at $800. Some sources are reporting that there is no limit once you've been gone 7 days, but that is incorrect.

Actually, no that is correct. Anything over 48 hours to 7 days is $800, there is no specified amount for 7 days or longer.

Here is the article:
Cross border allowances yahoo finance

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Actually, no that is correct. Anything over 48 hours to 7 days is $800, there is no specified amount for 7 days or longer.

Here is the article:
Cross border allowances yahoo finance

Nope - they raised the 7 day limit by $50 from $750 to $800 so it matched the 48 hour limit. This is why I posted my response, because the phrasing used by some media sources is misleading.

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/ne...s-duty-free-limit-for-cross-border-travellers

http://www.kpmg.com/Ca/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/TNF/Pages/tnfc1215.htm
(scroll wayyyyyy down)

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Nope - they raised the 7 day limit by $50 from $750 to $800 so it matched the 48 hour limit. This is why I posted my response, because the phrasing used by some media sources is misleading.

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/ne...s-duty-free-limit-for-cross-border-travellers

http://www.kpmg.com/Ca/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/TNF/Pages/tnfc1215.htm
(scroll wayyyyyy down)

One more, just because the KPMG summary is so long.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/03/29/...-your-finances-cross-border-shoppers-rejoice/

 

[KNovacovschi]

Woohooo!!!!!!!!!

We shop over the border all the time and I am always worried. There is usually 2-3 of us and $50 each is practically nothing. I've always been lucky and have never had to pay duty. Now $200 each is so much better. Do you know how much I can now buy with $600 allowance for the car in a day.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Great news for shoppers - but not our economy. I really don't understand why the gov't is encouraging us to shop in the US.

I would've been happy if they just allowed duty free alcohol after 24 hrs instead of 48.

 

[glenpreece]

Yay! But the govt. should reduce the duty they make Canadian Retailers so they can be more competitive with the US. They have to pay 18% more then their US counterparts.

I agree!!!