Your “Duty Free Customs Allowance” is just the beginning!

Here’s the thing that savvy crossers know - Canadian and U.S. residents can shop as much as they like when they cross the border. “Duty Free” refers to the fact that there are set amounts regarding what can be brought across free of taxes and duties. The portion that is tax and duty free is called a customs allowance.

Pick your Border Crossing for customized information like allowances and wait times.

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ENTERING THE U.S.*
For “Personal Consumption”
Anytime Exemption

Tobacco

200

Cigarettes

50

Cigars

200G

of fine cut tobacco

Alcohol

1.0L

of wine, liquor, beer or ale

Gifts

100$ CAD

to be left in the USA

Please check with the regulations of the State you are
arriving in; they may have more restrictive limits.

RETURNING TO CANADA*
24 – 48 Hours

GOODS TAX AND DUTY FREE

200$ CAD

per person

Tobacco

Subject to duties and taxes

Alcohol

Subject to duties and taxes

RETURNING TO CANADA*
Over 48 Hours

Tobacco

200

Cigarettes (1 carton)

50

Cigars or Cigarellos

200

tobacco sticks

200G

of manufactured tobacco

Alcohol

1.5L

of wine
or

1.14L

of liquor
or

355mL

cans/bottles of beer or ale

Goods, tax and duty free

UP TO 800$ CAD

per person

It starts with an “Anytime Personal Exemption”

Canadians can bring 1L of alcohol (1L of spirits, wine and beer) and some tobacco into the U.S. regardless of the duration of the stay in the U.S., so long as the alcohol and tobacco is for personal use.

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.

ENTERING THE U.S.*
Anytime Exemption

Tobacco

Subject to duties and taxes

Alcohol

150mL

of alcoholic beverages

Goods

200$ USD

per person

DURATION OF STAY IN CANADA
24 – 48 HOURS

Tobacco

50

Cigarettes

100

Cigars

Alcohol

150mL

of alcoholic beverages

Goods

200$ USD

per person

DURATION OF STAY IN CANADA
Over 48 Hours

Tobacco

200

Cigarettes

100

Cigars

Alcohol

1L

of alcoholic beverages or

1(24 bottles)

case of beer

Gifts

800$ USD

per person. This is a monthly exemption. Family members can combine their $800 per person monthly import privileges.

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.

FROM THE BLOG

Do Better
at the Border.

Today’s Duty Free allowances are better than ever, but most people don’t know how you can take your savings even further when you shop at the border - even when you buy more than your allowance!

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Representing Canada's Land Border Duty Free Shops