Login / RegisterNew duty-free limits for Canadians: what you can bring back, alcohol and all
As of June 1, 2012, the value of goods that Canadian residents can bring back into Canada duty- and tax-free has increased.
Here’s the lowdown on current personal exemption limits, all in Canadian dollars.
For trips of:
• Less than 24 hours: No exemption This has not changed with the new regulations. Yes, contrary to popular belief, this means that if you’re doing a cross-border daytrip, everything you bring back is subject to applicable duty and taxes. That includes alcohol. Anecdotally, many travellers report being waved through by the agent and not charged duty and taxes for the purchases they’ve declared. But don’t count on it.
• 24 hours or more : $200 This limit has increased from the previous $50. You can claim exemption in this category if you have been away at least 24 hours but haven't been away long enough for the 48-hour exemption. But keep in mind that if you bring back more than $200 during this period, you’re liable for duty and taxes on the full amount. Plus, you’re not entitled to bring back any alcohol or tobacco without paying duty and taxes on it; for that, you have to stay away 48 hours or more.
• 48 hours or more: $800 This limit has increased from the previous $400. Within this amount, you can bring back a certain amount of alcohol and tobacco according to these guidelines . For alcohol, that’s 1.5 litres of wine, a total of 1.14 litres of alcoholic beverages OR a maximum of 8.5 litres of beer or ale. (Anyone else think this law favours beer drinkers?)
• 7 days or more: $800 This limit has increased from the previous $750. Tobacco and alcohol limits are as above for 48 hours.
Those are the basics. For all kinds of eye-crossing specifics and qualifications, see Canada Border Services Agency official site.
What has been your experience at the border with duty and taxes?
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A 2 - 4 of cold ones (~8.5L) has about the same amount of alcohol as a 40-pounder (1.14 L) of hooch.
Duhh - Grade 8 math
Never mess with the Border Agents anywhere in the world. They are ALL vicious and can ruin you plans big time!
The standards above are just BS. What are they protecting? Few kilograms of alcohol that will ruin Canada's treasury? It's big money for controlled anything Canada. Are they protecting the interest of the Big Tabacco companies? Of course they are. This is state policy with huge state benefits. It's a shame for a Country that has so much things to give to immigrants!
- 12 beers (not listed on the site, but this is the internal limit)
- up to $200
By the way Adrian, many Roma gypsies from Romania are attempting to get refugee status in Canada. Most skip their hearings and just stop showing up, or are inadmissible, costing Canadians money and creating a backlog that impacts legitimate refugees. So yes, to answer your question, there is a reason Romanians may be checked more thoroughly.
Granted that fresh meat could be dangerous, but cured/dry prosciutto?
Anyways, they confiscated it,
I asked them if I could at least eat it on the spot (instead of throwing it away),
they refused,
I got mad,
then they called security because I looked mad (as if I was a menace)
Go to hell Canada!
While I was in Paris a few Roma Gypsies tried to rip me off on more than one occasion (ex.Gold Ring trick ,lies,stealing from my bag). Sorry,but unfortunately many have a reputation.
I have traveled extensively and have been questioned by border guards both ways while they searched my bags and car.
No disrespect towards you at all.
Roma is, essentially, a (preferred) alternative for the word Gypsy.
It has nothing to do with someone from Romania (unless, of course, a Roma person actually hailed from Romania).
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