Border Crossing exceptions question....Need help settling a debate.

[Ms.FemmeFatale]

So an ass and I are having a rather heated debate to which the ass wanted the boys here to weigh in.

Without going into any further detail and while I have reviewed the CBSA website and the DUTYFREE website, can some please tell me what the exemption amount for bringing goods across the boarder are for a day trip. Meaning only crossing for LESS then 24 hours. Example - cross into the US at noon and back across into Canada around 6pm?

Thanks

 

[DanJ]

I believe it's nothing officially. Meaning it's officer discretion. If you came back with a hundred or so in stuff, they likely will wave you through.

 

[shack]

Agree with Dan. I think it's $200 for 24 hours and then to $800 for 48 hours or more.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

I believe it's nothing officially. Meaning it's officer discretion. If you came back with a hundred or so in stuff, they likely will wave you through.

There is no mention of less than 24 hrs. ( day trip ) So I would go along with DanJ

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/060-eng.html
From CBSA website
What can I bring back with me?

When you return to Canada, duties and taxes are applicable on all purchases unless you qualify for a personal exemption. Personal exemptions allow you to bring goods of a certain value into the country without paying the regular duties. If you have been outside Canada for:

24 hours or more, you can bring in CAN$200 worth of goods free of duty and tax;
If the goods you bring in are worth more than CAN$200 in total, you cannot claim this exemption. Instead you have to pay full applicable duties and taxes on all goods you bring in.
48 hours or more, you can bring in CAN$800 worth of goods free of duty and tax;
7 days or more, you can bring in CAN$800 worth of goods free of duty and tax. Goods may be in your possession at time of entry to Canada but are also permitted to follow entry to Canada (via courier, mail or delivery agency).

 

[champcar]

Came across Saturday, was in the US for 5 hrs

Had $230

Asked if I had Cigs or Alcohol, No

Have a nice day

This was at Ft Erie

 

[Ms.FemmeFatale]

Came across Saturday, was in the US for 5 hrs

Had $230

Asked if I had Cigs or Alcohol, No

Have a nice day

This was at Ft Erie

Ok, I get that, but this is the perfect example. If the BPA wanted to, could be not have made you pay duty/taxes on all of that. Technically speaking?

Oh and for clarification, can anyone tell me if children's clothing etc, is still 100% duty free?

 

[Moraff]

Ok, I get that, but this is the perfect example. If the BPA wanted to, could be not have made you pay duty/taxes on all of that. Technically speaking?

Oh and for clarification, can anyone tell me if children's clothing etc, is still 100% duty free?

Yes he could have. I crossed with a $10 purchase on a day trip and got sent to pay. Guy inside shook his head and told me to go.

From the personal exemptions page on CSBA site:

Less than 24 hours, Personal exemptions do not apply to same-day cross-border shoppers;


In regards to duty-free I found:

No duty is payable on goods imported for personal use, if it is marked as “made in Canada, the USA, or Mexico”, or if there is no marking or labelling indicating that it was made somewhere other than Canada, the USA, or Mexico.

So I ran a couple things through their estimator - baby clothes and boy's clothes. Both cases if the product was of NAFTA origin there was no duty but there was HST. Non-NAFTA and it showed both HST and duty.

 

[DanJ]

Keep in mind too that we are approaching vacation season, so odds are higher you run into a CBSA officer who is junior, and usually more a stickler for the rules. When my wife and a friend went shopping last summer, they were sent in to pay, on a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff. The senior officer working inside just shook his head, muttered "kids these days", said he didn't have time for little things like this and sent them on their way.

 

[gcostanza]

So an ass and I are having a rather heated debate to which the ass wanted the boys here to weigh in.

Without going into any further detail and while I have reviewed the CBSA website and the DUTYFREE website, can some please tell me what the exception amount for bringing goods across the boarder are for a day trip. Meaning only crossing for LESS then 24 hours. Example - cross into the US at noon and back across into Canada around 6pm?

Thanks

Read this. http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ifcrc-rpcrc-eng.html

 

[John Henry]

Ok ... This is what I do . I cross the border at least once every 2 weeks for maybe a 3 to 4 hr. trip . The two of us , my buddy and myself bring back at least $100 in groceries each and at least $100 in goods . We only had to pay the HST the one time I remember on the goods , not groceries . Never ever had to pay on groceries . A few times groceries have been around the $150 each yet still no pay .

If you keep the goods around $100 each they usually wave you threw . Do not buy any beer or alcohol . That can render you going off to the side to pay .

Because we use a pick-up truck we even bring back a can of gas . I don't mention the gas at all . If they ask me about a can of gas then I say yes . We cross a lot so they know us . It shows on their computer . We have even been asked if we cross a lot and I always say yes . Never lie . Do not smuggle anything .

The border do not charge you duty . It's the HST that they want you to pay . That's from my experience . I have crossed with at least $300 myself and have been waved through . Get lucky at times .

The problem is the summer students . They want to make a name for themselves . The full time guy's are pretty good . No difference between men and women guards . Have had good luck with both .

As a matter of fact going over there tomorrow to do some shopping . One more thing , I cross back at the Lewiston border . Never ever cross at the Rainbow Bridge coming back if you've been shopping .

 

[John Henry]

The senior officer working inside just shook his head, muttered "kids these days", said he didn't have time for little things like this and sent them on their way.

That has happened to me as well .

 

[bazokajoe]

For the amount of time your going for it's up to the Customs officer.Fort Erie is the best place to cross without to much hassle.Niagara Falls is the worst for sneaking things over.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

Here's the thing it makes no difference where you cross its all about the officer that you pull up too . I slowly creep up to check and see who's line is moving faster and that's where I go . Dont hesitate or change lanes once your in line they frown on that and will give you a hard time based on that . Only answer the questions your asked and never volunteer information . Dont lie and say you were there longer then you were ....... as you pull up the camera takes a pic of you , your car and the plate number the computer then tells the officer when you last came in . They also scan your passport for the same reason . Never bring beer or booze across if you have goods on board as well this tells the officer your over your limit already and you may get stopped . Also dont say you purchased nothing when you did cuz if they check your srewed and they will rip you car up looking and leave it for you to put back together ( this happened to a friend of mine and it was hours before he got out of there ) . And last but not least NEVER wear a halter dress if you have big breasts they will stop you just to galk ( that happened to me ) . Ha ! Misty

Of course they stopped you, idiot!!!.............You wore a halter dress.

 

[TeasePlease]

Keep in mind too that we are approaching vacation season, so odds are higher you run into a CBSA officer who is junior, and usually more a stickler for the rules. When my wife and a friend went shopping last summer, they were sent in to pay, on a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff. The senior officer working inside just shook his head, muttered "kids these days", said he didn't have time for little things like this and sent them on their way.

I spent a long flight sitting beside the guy who runs the rookie training program for CBSA last summer. He said that if you want the least hassle, choose a line with an older agent. They look at their job as protecting our country, not collecting taxes. They're usually more lenient.

Ok, I get that, but this is the perfect example. If the BPA wanted to, could be not have made you pay duty/taxes on all of that. Technically speaking?

Oh and for clarification, can anyone tell me if children's clothing etc, is still 100% duty free?

Don't confuse import duties with HST. I've yet to be hit with import duties. But, I have paid HST on children's clothing.

 

[Ms.FemmeFatale]

Don't confuse import duties with HST. I've yet to be hit with import duties. But, I have paid HST on children's clothing.

OK - good to know. Do you know if there is a limit on children's clothing to NOT get hit with import duties. Having to pay HST, while nice to avoid if possible, is not a major concern.

 

[TeasePlease]

OK - good to know. Do you know if there is a limit on children's clothing to NOT get hit with import duties. Having to pay HST, while nice to avoid if possible, is not a major concern.

There's no special exception/exemption for children's clothing AFAIK.

 

[needtono]

Keep in mind too that we are approaching vacation season, so odds are higher you run into a CBSA officer who is junior, and usually more a stickler for the rules. When my wife and a friend went shopping last summer, they were sent in to pay, on a couple hundred dollars worth of stuff. The senior officer working inside just shook his head, muttered "kids these days", said he didn't have time for little things like this and sent them on their way.

This could go either way. I had a summer job as a Customs officer all through university. My group of friends at work just wanted to get people through as quickly as possible.

 

[Ms.FemmeFatale]

This could go either way. I had a summer job as a Customs officer all through university. My group of friends at work just wanted to get people through as quickly as possible.

So you would know all the rules? Anything right or wrong in this thread.

Can you tell me about kids clothes? This is a big one. I often shop twice a year for kids clothes cross border. I have never paid a dime at the border and always have been honest. However I was under the impression that kids clothes were exempt.

Thanks

 

[needtono]

So you would know all the rules? Anything right or wrong in this thread.

Can you tell me about kids clothes? This is a big one. I often shop twice a year for kids clothes cross border. I have never paid a dime at the border and always have been honest. However I was under the impression that kids clothes were exempt.

Thanks

The post about the NAFTA exemption is correct. The reality is that it's rarely worth the effort to pull you over just to collect HST. Be honest and avoid bringing back alcohol or cigarettes, and you'll skate through - unless the officer is a real dick, in which case you'll just pay the tax.

 

[Ms.FemmeFatale]

The post about the NAFTA exemption is correct. The reality is that it's rarely worth the effort to pull you over just to collect HST. Be honest and avoid bringing back alcohol or cigarettes, and you'll skate through - unless the officer is a real dick, in which case you'll just pay the tax.

Good to know, needtono. Thanks.


Okay - ya that was a little rhyme-ish... LOL Sorry