American residents returning to the U.S

IT STARTS WITH AN “ANYTIME PERSONAL EXEMPTION”

Americans can return to the U.S. with $200USD worth of goods per person, including 5oz of alcohol on any daily visit to Canada.

YOU CAN STILL SAVE, EVEN WITH TAX AND DUTY CHARGES

You may have to pay taxes and duties on purchases over and above the customs allowance. This will be calculated by a On purchases over and above the customs allowance, you may be required to pay some nominal taxes and duties. This will be calculated by a Customs official after you declare.

Here’s how it adds up: if you exceed your duty free allowance and exemptions entering the U.S., the following approximate U.S. duty and tax rates apply:

US $2 – $3 per bottle of liquor, on average
US $1.90 per case of beer, on average
US $10.07 per carton of cigarettes, on average
*US duty rates on purchases exceeding 1 litre of alcohol are assessed according to alcohol content

Products other than alcohol and tobacco may also require a duty payment.

If you are Canadian, when you return to Canada you may be asked to pay the regular taxes and duties on the value of items over your customs allowance. Be aware that many items qualify for reduced or zero duty.