Don't ever cut him/her off mid-sentence that is a sure way to piss them off and if it's a slow night you're gonna get pulled in.

OP, Wishing you luck. I had some cigarettes and cigarillos with my groceries once they searched it but didn't care. Other time I got dinged %150 on couple bottles of cheap wine. Total + Duties came to $15 :D You know what? the paper work to process it was well over that amount.

I asked at the Osoyoos crossing, and they said that no tax/duty on a 6-pack is a "courtesy to local residents" and that technically they should charge all liquor.

That said, I've never been hassled for a 6-pack, although the the guard made it very clear that a 6-pack is the maximum they will allow for a trip <48 hrs.

that makes sense.

Just because they always let you get away with it doesn't mean it should happen every time.

if you have relatives from the states, when they come up here tell them to load up beer.
my uncle just brought me 6, 18 packs

he just said its for a birthday party

You're alllowed to bring it back, they just tax you like CRAZY.

Basically to the point of no savings.


I bought a carton of smokes once a long time ago for like $20. CBSA charged me another like $60+.


You need to be there for 48 hours to bring back stuff without having to pay duties. If you stay <48 hours then you're paying the horrible duties/tariffs/etc.


I thought they would maybe charge me double. Nope. They charge you the amount the remaining that you would pay in Canada.




please note this happened to me 5+ years ago. I'm not sure if things have changed. I don't bother going to States for less than 48 hours anymore.

I think the key is to not be greedy. Your chances will, likely, be slimmer with the increasing cost and quantity of what you bring back. Personally, I think anything more than a 6 pack, or bottle of wine increases the risk of an extended visit with CSBA. If they want to tax me for that small amount, I'll just let them keep that $3 bottle of Trader Joe hooch, and be on my way. So far, so good, though!

I always grab a 30 case @ Costco, never had problems.

do it and update us as to whether you have to pay duty or not

once i got about 6 lit of sake from Japan. they opened my bag, and asked about why i am over the limit, i just told them, if u want me to pay duty on that, u can have it... they let me thru.

from us, i usually pickup 6 pack or bottle of wine every trip, no issues.

i have a random question about duties

what kind of payment can you pay with Cash/Debit/Credit card?

i have to pick up 2000$ worth of stuff and i have to claim it from blaine

all the above. I usually pay the duty and taxes with my credit card

Last time i went down your not allowed to bring anything if under a day.
If more than 24 hrs, i think it was 2 bottles per person 750ml"

Way to state the obvious :failed:

its really at the officers discretion.

Dont push your luck and be truthful and youll be fine.
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Actually, it's not obvious. The wording in the regulations are unclear. That's why I asked earlier in this thread.

Alcohol and tobacco are not prohibited goods unless your importing commercial quantities.

You can import as much alcohol and tobacco as you want for personal consumption. If you exceed your personal exemption, your subject to applicable duties and taxes. Often times the duties and taxes will be more than what you paid for the item. However it varies according to the price you paid, size of bottle, and alcohol content.

There is no alcohol and tobacco exemptions if you are absent from Canada for less than 48hrs but this is where officer discretion comes into play.

Each person of age that is absent minimum 48hrs is entitled to the following within there exemption:

1.5L wine, or 1.14 spirits, or 8.5L beer
plus tobacco items
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So it ended up just being me and my girlfriend; she's a Korean national. We had to go in to get her entry card renewed (which means I'm probably now on some sort of watch list or other...yay) and I really don't feel like getting hassled coming back.

Thanks for the advice and help y'alls, I hope some of us have learned some new and more awesome stuff.

Brought back a 6-pack last night after a day trip without any problems. Just answer all questions honestly and without any hesitation.
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Most users on this thread have gotten back no problem with a 6 pack.

Do you guys tend to be more easier on a 6 pack....vs. one bottle or wine? Or one bottle of hard liquor? Or is it all the same as long as we declare it honesty?

here is a good example,

jose cuervo 750ml bottle in Mexico.... 140 pesos ( 10.75 CDN )

BC Liquor store 30.99

Private liquor store 35.99

having to pay 150% is still cheaper then retail, but cutting it close

^ USA / Canada border.

If you made it all the way down to the Mexico and back, it wouldn't be a <48 hour trip in 99.99% cases.

when they say exemption, they are referring to a tax exemption. you can bring cigarettes, or alcohol into Canada but it is all subject to duties and taxes. most of the time, the CBSA officer will allow small amounts into the country as it is not worth their time to process you and tax you. however, they certainly can if they feel like it.

the only thing you should not do is to lie and NOT declare it. if they search your trunk, and find alcohol that you did not declare, then they get mad and they'll give you the third degree for sure.

Going into the US, stopped by the duty free and bought a carton of smokes. On our way back, i declared everything, and the CBSA agent at the booth told us we would get charged $60 for taxes and duties and told us to go in and pay.

So all in all, it all depends on the CBSA agent. So, to be safe is to follow their rules. You might get away with it from time to time, but not really worth it when they want to charge you taxes and duties.

You can pay by cash, debit, credit cards. Make sure to have your receipts on hand.