How much can I take
across the border?
Canadians and Americans are allowed
to bring as much as they like when
they cross the border. However,
only a portion of what is brought into
the U.S. is considered free of taxes
and duties. The portion that is tax and
duty free is called a customs allowance.
To find out your customs allowance, please select one of the following options.
| Duration of stay in the U.S. |
Customs allowance for travellers entering the U.S. *Per person |
Customs allowance for travellers returning to Canada *Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Anytime exemption for "personal consumption" - please check with the regulations of the State you are arriving in; they may have more restrictive limits. |
Tobacco:
|
|
| Between 24 and 48 hours | $50.00 personal exemption. | |
| Between 48 hours and 7 days | Upon returning to Canada, import up to $400.00 duty free including: Tobacco:
|
|
| After 72 hours (eligible once every six months) | You are allowed up to $100 USD worth of merchandise, free of duty and tax, as gifts for other people if you plan to stay for 72 hours. You may include 100 cigars (non-Cuban) but not alcohol. Do not wrap gifts until Customs has inspected them. | |
| After 7 days | Upon returning to Canada, import up to $750.00 duty including: Tobacco:
|
|
| *To purchase and take liquor into the U.S. you must be 21 years of age, for tobacco the age is 19 years old. | ||
| Duration of stay in Canada |
Customs Allowance for travellers entering the U.S. *Per person |
|---|---|
| Between 24 and 48 hours | $200.00 USD per person, this includes 50 cigarettes and 10 cigars (non Cuban) and 150 milliliters (5 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or 150 milliliters |
| After 48 hours | $800.00 USD per person. This is a monthly exemption. Family members can combine their $800 per person monthly import privileges. You can import 1 Litre (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or 1 case of beer (24 bottles). You are also allowed to include up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars (non Cuban) in your exemption. |
| *To purchase and take liquor into the U.S. you must be 21 years of age, for tobacco the age is 19 years old. | |
| How much can I bring across the border? |
|---|
What is 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.
How much tax and duty will I be charged if I go over my customs allowance?
You may have to pay taxes and duties on purchases over and above the customs allowance. This will be calculated by a Customs official after you declare.
Upon entering the U.S., you may be asked to pay, on average, the following amounts for products over your customs allowance:
US $2 - $3 per bottle of liquor, on average
US $1.30 per case of beer, on average
US $10.03 per carton of cigarettes, on average
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
I spent more than my exemption - can I combine my purchases with another person?
Canadian residents are not allowed to combine customs allowances upon their return to Canada. More
For example, if you and your spouse qualify for the $400 customs allowance, you may each bring in $400 of goods for a total of $800. However, you both may not import a single $900 TV and claim the customs exemption. In fact, it is likely that you will have to pay duty on the entire $900, not just the value that is above any one or both your personal customs allowances.
Americans are allowed to combine customs allowances so long as the items being brought over are within the monthly customs allowance
What do I have to declare?
Cross border travellers should declare all purchases, gifts and prizes. Personal belongings that you need for the trip (clothing, personal care products, camping gear, etc) do not need to be declared. More
It is best to travel without jewellery, and if you must, bring with you an appraisal form or other document showing prior ownership.
High-value items with serial codes (professional equipment like cameras) can be recorded on a Y38 Form at U.S. Customs so that when you return to Canada, you have proof of prior ownership.
Business travellers should declare items such as samples, marketing materials, tools of the trade, and professional equipment. These items are usually duty free if used for the purposes of conducting business.
In all cases it is best to research.
What happens if I do not declare a purchase and I am caught?
If you are caught not declaring some or all of your items the consequences will be determined by border services and are likely dependant on the severity of the omission.
Find out information about the Canadian Border Services Agency.What if I bring back more than my personal exemption?
You will likely be asked to pay the duty and taxes; you might get lucky and waved through. More
Be aware that your goods may qualify for no-duty or low-duty status (under WTO, NAFTA, Most Favored Nation agreements). If you do not declare and are caught, the consequences are determined by the U.S. Border Services department.
Find out information about the Canadian Border Services Agency.Does my child qualify for a customs exemption?
Yes, children are eligible for a customs allowance. Parents or guardians will declare the purchases on the child's behalf, but the items must be for the child's use. More
Canadian children's customs allowance cannot be combined with their parents, and children do not qualify for the alcohol or tobacco exemption.
What is a NAFTA exemption?
You save the duty on NAFTA exempted items, and only pay the sales tax, even if the value is over and above your customs allowance. More
Your length of stay is not relevant, so even if you have been across the border just for a few hours, you would save the duty, and only pay the sales tax. NAFTA exempted items are goods made in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico and include items like: cellphones, video games, books and hair dryers.
Consider that your goods might fall under WTO or Most Favored Nation (MFN) status and qualify for no or low-duty.
Israel, Costa Rica and Chile have special duty arrangements with Canada. Goods made in these countries qualify for lowered duty.
Tip: always keep your receipts handy