Paying duty at US/Canadian border?

Question

If I spend approx. 600 dollars on clothes, in less then 24 hours, in the States, and then claim it all (aka. no "smuggling") going back into Canada - what do you estimate will I have to pay for taxes/duty? I've never cross-border shopped before, so I'm just looking for an approximation as I can't find any other answers online.

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

When you get to US Customs, you must declare everything you've purchased. If you've been in Canada for more than 48 hours, you are allowed to bring back $400 worth of goods duty-free once every 30 days. You do have the option of shipping gifts home. $200 worth of gifts can be shipped duty-free, one package per day per addressee. Label the package PERSONAL USE. Such packages won't count towards your $400 allowance at the border.

If you stayed less than 48 hours, you can bring back items totalling $200 in value before a duty is imposed. You'll also be limited to 10 cigars, 100 cigarettes, or 4 ounces of alcoholic beverage. Cuban cigars, by the way, are prohibited. If you're caught, its more than just simple confiscation; it could be a steep fine.

A list of just a few of the items that can be brought across the Canada-U.S. border without paying duty. (Canadian taxes always apply):

-Almost anything made in the United States or Mexico

-Toys, including puzzles, trains, dolls, action figures

-Video games

-Cellphones

-Antiques

-Most kinds of original art

-Downhill skis and boots

-Toasters

-Breadmakers

-Electric irons

-Artificial Christmas trees

-Billiard tables

-Chess sets

-Office furniture

-SLR and instant cameras

-Unset diamonds, pearls and precious stones

-Golf bags made mostly of synthetics.

-Books

-Glassware (including crystal)

Answer 2

If you check out this link you will find the personal exemptions as well as the duties. Regular duty rate is different for all items, so it is hard to determine what you will pay, as well as you do have to pay the GST/HST and depending on the province you come back in if they have an agreement to collect PST you may have to pay that as well.

24 hr exemption is only $50 so if you can it would be a good idea to stay the extra day and make it 48 hrs and get the $400 exemption.

Edit: It is very hard to give you a ballpark figure because you can not predict what the border guard is going to be like. some are so thorough that they take every receipt and total them up, others will just take what you said it is worth,  if you need a ballpark add in what PST and GST would be on the total (convert the total of all the receipts to Canadian value), but since you do not know what the duty % you would have to pull a number out of the air for that one. I bought $150 of beer and wine on a day trip and had to pay almost the same amount in duty and tax, as alcohol has a high duty rate.

Answer 3

When we did same day shopping, we spent about $200.  We had to pay about $75 at the border.  (we bought house stuff, clothes etc)  We didnt try and hide anything and we gave them the receipts.  

They did check our truck (made us get out) but we had nothing to hide so it was okay.