How much duty is charged on clothes from crossing the US border back into Canada?

Question

What if I spent 2,000 dollars? How much duty is charged? Am I able to go back and forth repeatedly to not get charged duty?

Answer 1

I have not found a website yet that gives exact amount of duty charged on items, just guidelines on what you can bring back and how much without paying duty.

In short, even if you were gone for 7 days, you would have to pay duty on that amount being brought back ($2,000), and no, you could not just keep going back and forth ... even if you used different ports of entry, about the third time through you would be sent in to account for the trips back and forth and probably have your vehicle searched.

Your best bet ... go, stay 48 hours, have friends with you, and then divide your purchases (with separate receipts) between you and your friends.

Also, be aware that Canada has different restrictions than the U.S. on imports .. i.e. some items, including clothing items, that are sold in the U.S. are from countries that Canada doesn't allow imports from. I have personally seen clothing items being confiscated from people going through Canada customs.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/newsroom/factsheets/2004/0816duty-e.html

Answer 2

I can add a little info to everyone else's great answers.

Assuming you are gone longer than 48 hrs or 7 days, and after your exemption limits have been applied (ie being allowed to bring back $750 after being gone for 7 days), you can bring in another $300 with only being charged 7%.

Any dollar amount spent in less than 24 hours, or over the personal exemptions, you will be charged one or the other rates:

Clothing made in the US: GST (and maybe PST, depending on your province) or HST (harmonized sales tax, also depending on the province)

Clothing made outside the US: 19% duty.

I hope this makes sense!

Answer 3

Pichi gave you most of the information you need.

Some advice:
If you will be in the US for less than 48 hours, don't tell them about everything you bought when they ask you at the border. If you buy clothes, take the tags off all the clothing, and dump the bags that the store gave them to you in. If you buy any electronics, take them out the box and take any coverings or plastic wraps off it. Take any price stickers off. Keep the tags for several items, and keep a few receipts. Show them 3 or 4 receipts. Don't show them anymore. They will usually let you off, if you show them a few receipts but I’m sure they know you have more. Everyone I know that goes shopping in the US, always does that.

It's wrong to do that ... but if you want to get taxed on everything you bought, that's up to you.

Answer 4

under 24 hours - $0 24 as much as 40 8 Hours - $2 hundred.00 (apart from tobacco and alcohol) 40 8 Hours and extra - as much as $800.00 accountability loose which comprise: Tobacco: 2 hundred cigarettes; 50 cigars (non Cuban); or cigarillos; 2 hundred tobacco sticks; and 2 hundred grams of synthetic tobacco. Alcohol: a million.5 litres of wine; or a million.14 litres of liquor; or 24 – 355 ml cans/bottles (8.5 litres) of beer or ale. crossing the border is basic and painless. they're going to ask questions yet its their interest. as long as you reside interior the criminal limits and dont convey drugs, you would be nice. have a spectacular holiday

Answer 5

There is no duty, but you will be charged tax on it. You can bring about $20 back with you per day, without paying tax on it.

If you are a local, they may not be too sticky, but that's a chance you take, and your car can be seized if they really want to get nasty.

Answer 6

if you're Canadian...none. your parents taught you how to smuggle. :))