Posted on: 06-06-10 09:45:58
Hi,
I plan to visit US outlets for shopping for clothes as they are heavily discounted there.
My question here is, what questions are asked at the border crossings ( by the US officers)when you enter US and by our Canadian officers when you return? Please let me know the correct responses too.. to avoid major custom duty on clothes shopping.
This is my first time crossing the border for shopping for only clothes, shoes.
Thanks.
Quote:
Originally posted by mississauga2
Hi,
I plan to visit US outlets for shopping for clothes as they are heavily discounted there.
My question here is, what questions are asked at the border crossings ( by the US officers)when you enter US and by our Canadian officers when you return? Please let me know the correct responses too.. to avoid major custom duty on clothes shopping.
This is my first time crossing the border for shopping for only clothes, shoes.
Thanks.
When crossing US Boarder the questions would be like:
1, Why are you going to US.
2. Where are you going in US.
3. Do you have any Tobacco and or liquor.
4. When would you come back.
While coming back to Canada the questions could be
1. When did you leave Canada.
2. Where did you go.
3. What did you bring. How much did you spend on buying.
4. Do you have any alcohol or tobacco.
Now, if you are going there for less than 24 hours, you do not have any free allowance and you have to pay duty on items bought.
Follow these http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/060-eng.html
http://www.dutyfree.ca/customs.asp for more information.
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Pramod Chopra
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Mortgage Alliance Company of Canada
Just to add what Pramodji has said. Be very courteous when speaking to the border official. Show you are well prepared to answer questions. Keep the receipts handy and total up your purchases to give an accurate answer when asked for the amount. I have crossed twice and both times we did not pay any duty. We had bought clothes for my son. The second trip was just a day trip. So you can get off without paying anything however this is at the discretion of the border official. Many people have similar experiences. All the best. By the way you have a CDN passport or a US visa. If you have a US visa be prepared for a longer wait time to get I92 or I91 whatever they call it.
Quote:
Now, if you are going there for less than 24 hours, you do not have any free allowance and you have to pay duty on items bought.
Follow these http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/060-eng.html
http://www.dutyfree.ca/customs.asp for more information.
Actually, on the contrary. You have a limit of $50 per person. You can bring in $50 worth of good free of duty and tax if returning in 24 hours:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/060-eng.html
Excerpts from CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) site:
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:
1. 24 hours or more, you can bring in CAN$50 worth of goods free of duty and tax;
If the goods you bring in are worth more than CAN$50 in total, you cannot claim this exemption. Instead you have to pay full applicable duties and taxes on all goods you bring in.
2. 48 hours or more, you can bring in CAN$400 worth of goods free of duty and tax;
3. 7 days or more, you can bring in CAN$750 worth of goods free of duty and tax.
I myself cross border biweekly, I bring in less than $100 worth of stuff (two people, $50 exemption each). I never had to pay any duty. I have been doing this for about an year and a half now. I spend about 3-4 hours on an average there. Make sure to keep all the receipts with you, and never try to hide anything. The gist is, if you're coming back the same day don't plan to purchase more than $50 (for one person).
Quote:
Originally posted by febpreet
Quote:
Now, if you are going there for less than 24 hours, you do not have any free allowance and you have to pay duty on items bought.
Follow these http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/060-eng.html
http://www.dutyfree.ca/customs.asp for more information.
Actually, on the contrary. You have a limit of $50 per person. You can bring in $50 worth of good free of duty and tax if returning in 24 hours:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/060-eng.html
Excerpts from CBSA (Canadian Border Services Agency) site:
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:
1. 24 hours or more, you can bring in CAN$50 worth of goods free of duty and tax;
If the goods you bring in are worth more than CAN$50 in total, you cannot claim this exemption. Instead you have to pay full applicable duties and taxes on all goods you bring in.
2. 48 hours or more, you can bring in CAN$400 worth of goods free of duty and tax;
3. 7 days or more, you can bring in CAN$750 worth of goods free of duty and tax.
I myself cross border biweekly, I bring in less than $100 worth of stuff (two people, $50 exemption each). I never had to pay any duty. I have been doing this for about an year and a half now. I spend about 3-4 hours on an average there. Make sure to keep all the receipts with you, and never try to hide anything. The gist is, if you're coming back the same day don't plan to purchase more than $50 (for one person).
Hi Fabpreet,
I agree with your observation that the custom officers do allow up to $50 duty free if you return the same day. I have also done it a number of times with out any problem.
You also posted and quoted the same link I posted in my reply wherein it says that you have a $50 exemption after 24 hours or more absence from Canada. So, It is a separate issue that the custom officers are lenient if you bring goods up to $50 while returning the same day.
However, the OP is thinking of buying clothes for children and most likely the cost would go over $50 is he/she is alone or may be even over $100 for 2 persons and hence not eligible for any exemption. Better safe than sorry. Here is another http://betterdollar.com/duty-tax/tax-exemptions/ which clearly states that there is no allowance for less than 24 hours.
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Pramod Chopra
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Mortgage Alliance Company of Canada
Quote:
Originally posted by febpreet
The gist is, if you're coming back the same day don't plan to purchase more than $50 (for one person).
Even if u do ... dont lie ... they know u were there for shopping. Declare the amount. Keep da receipts handy, flash it to officer.
Most likely they gonna let u go.
n even to US Officials, tell them u r going there for shopping.
And at both borders they gonna ask u country of birth/origin
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Mumbai Maazi Ladki ...
Agree with you guys completely.
Sorry Pramod, I didn't realize that it was the same link 
.
