Is there anything special to know before considering a shopping trip to Niagara (USA)? Is there a cut off point after which you have to declare the shopping done to the customs? Any suggestions on where to get great deals on children's and womens clothes will be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,

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Immigrant Parents in Canada http://groups.yahoo.com/group/immigrantparentsincanada

Lately we found out that Outlet Mall is not a good option if you want to save money. We normally buy from Kohl's, JC Penny, etc. During weekend they normally have great deals and these stores are not far from Border.

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Some information is available here:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ct-vc-eng.html

You may want to bump up this thread too:

http://www.canadiandesi.com/read.php?TID=17003


Copied from link above:

Personal exemptions
When you return to Canada, you may qualify for a personal exemption. This allows you to bring goods of a certain value into the country without paying regular duties, except for a minimum duty that may apply to some tobacco products.

The term “duties” can include excise taxes and the GST/HST. It does not include provincial or territorial sales tax. However, the CBSA has agreements with some provinces and territories that allow the CBSA to collect provincial and territorial taxes, levies and fees on goods that have a value higher than your personal exemption.

If you reside in one of the provinces or territories that has an agreement with the CBSA and you return to Canada at a port of entry in your province or territory of residence, the goods that you import in excess of your personal exemption will be subject to a provincial/ territorial assessment. If you bring in more than the allowance for alcohol, you will have to pay the provincial/territorial assessment in the province or territory where you enter Canada, even if it is not your province/territory of residence.

The Government of Canada has agreements with New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador to collect the HST. If you live in a participating province and the value of the noncommercial goods you import is more than your personal exemption, you have to pay the HST instead of the GST, regardless of where you enter Canada.

Except for restricted items, you can bring back any amount of goods as long as you are willing to pay the duties and any provincial/territorial assessments that apply. This rule applies even if you do not qualify for a personal exemption.

What are your personal exemptions?
After each absence of 24 hours or more
You can claim up to CAN$50 worth of goods without paying any duties. This is your personal exemption. You must have the goods with you when you arrive in Canada and you cannot include tobacco products or alcoholic beverages in this exemption. 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 duties on all goods you bring in.

After each absence of 48 hours or more
You can claim up to CAN$400 worth of goods without paying any duties. You must have the goods with you when you arrive in Canada. Although you can include some tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, a partial exemption may apply to cigarettes, tobacco products and manufactured tobacco. See the sections called “Alcoholic beverages” and “Tobacco products” for more details.

After each absence of 7 days or more
You can claim up to CAN$750 worth of goods without paying any duties. Although you can include some tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, a partial exemption may apply to cigarettes, tobacco products and manufactured tobacco. See the sections called “Alcoholic beverages” and “Tobacco products” for more details. With the exception of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, you do not need to have the goods with you when you arrive.

To calculate the number of days you have been absent, do not include the date you left Canada but include the date you returned. Dates matter but not times. For example, we consider you to have been absent seven days if you left Friday the 7th and returned Friday the 14th.

Who is eligible for these exemptions?
You are eligible for a personal exemption if you are one of the following:

a Canadian resident returning from a trip outside Canada;
a former resident of Canada returning to live in this country; or
a temporary resident of Canada returning from a trip outside Canada.
Even young children and infants are entitled to a personal exemption. As a parent or guardian, you can make a declaration to the CBSA for a child as long as the goods you are declaring are for the child's use.

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Thank you very much RESP and G13. That was very helpful.

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Immigrant Parents in Canada http://groups.yahoo.com/group/immigrantparentsincanada