Crossing the Border questions????

Question

Okay so here is the deal. Im driving someone to the buffalo airport. I will be in buffalo for the day. I live in Canada. I will only be there for a max. of 24 hours. I would like to do some shopping while im there too (clothing). How much am i allowed to spend for being there a max. but probably less then 24 hours. How would i claim this stuff too? I would also like to go to duty free when im coming back to canada to get beer. Am i allowed to do this? How much can i buy? from what i understood on the website, i am not allowed but im not too sure. and if im not allowed...how would they know?

thanks for your help!

Answer 1

If you're there for more than 24 hrs, you can bring back $50 CAD worth of stuff, and your alcohol allowance. If you're there for more than 48 hrs, you can bring back $400 worth of stuff plus the alcohol. Keep proof of when you crossed. You can buy duty free booze if you're old enough. You claim stuff when you come back through the border. They ask if you have anything to declare, you say yes, they ask how much it's worth, you tell them. Keep all receipts from anything you buy. If you got a great deal and got a $100 pair of jeans for $10 but don't have the receipt, they could decide the jeans are worth $100 for purposes of paying duty.If you have more than you're allowed to bring in duty-free, you will have to pay duty and GST on the extra, which usually makes it not worth going to the US to buy. If you tell them you have $50 worth and they decide to check your car and find more, you pay duty or lose the stuff.

Answer 2

Your understanding is correct.

If you are gone 24 hours or less you get no duty free.  

If you are gone 24 hours you get $50 duty free but no alcohol and only if you purchase $50 or less.

If you are gone 48 hours you get $400 and your alcohol.

You make your claim went crossing they will ask you.  They wont necessarily know, but if they check and catch you lying there could be more trouble than you want.  And, any little thing that raises their suspicion and they will check.