Nope. It's always been this way. If you go by the rules, technically, if you're there under 24 hours, you really have $0 exemption and you pay tax on everything you bring back. Realistically, they don't and I've noticed that as long as you keep your total (for an individual) under $250, they won't send you inside.

Here's the CBSA page showing exemptions amounts and duration.

Travellers - Residents Returning to Canada

I'd have to say you are either consistently very lucky, or I am very consistently unlucky. If I am going by myself, I seem to have a 50/50 chance of getting called in and taxed for anything more than $150. I've also been called into the office to pay for tax for something in the $110 range. :rukidding:

I am always polite, cooperative, etc. when I cross the border. The getting taxed ratio is much higher for me at PR, but usually lower at Peace Arch and Pacific Crossing.

Maybe I'm always lucky. Mind you, I'm using NEXUS if that makes a difference and coming through Peace Arch and never bringing back any alcohol.

I've never brought any alcohol back from a day trip. Might try on Tuesday and see. There's a bottle of something I want to get but it's not sold here. Thanks punkwax

beer and wine you are ok for a day trip but bringing a bottle of booze back don't even risk it. It's always been a min 48 hour stay before you can bring booze back. Another trick is if you have Nexus and you are over your limit you will get sent in 100% of the time. So if you go over wait in the normal line and there's a good chance you won't get hauled in since its the officers desecration.

I love going down with the GF cause she's a CBSA officer and union president so they never ask us the normal questions mainly just joking around lol

12 beers is always easy to bring back and I do so whenever I get gas. Usually lasts me until my next trip since I don't drink much.

If you guys have any border questions let me know since I can ask the GF since she's been a officer for 8 years (not land border tho)

Even if its something like $50 bucks on a day trip??

I get through nexus with ~$150 a lot of the time and dont get asked to go down ... maybe im just really lucky

Yup even a little bit since its computer automated

^ BS ive had my nexus for years and i certainly dont have to pay all the time. theres no computer automation when you make a verbal declaration.

Maybe back in the day when you filled in the TDC, you'd get taxed every time, but ever since verbal declarations have been the norm, I have rarely been charged.

I'd have to say I'd only get taxed maybe one out of every 20 times, and that's because I'm way over the limit. (which I fully expected to be sent in for)

How is the price of gas in Blaine?
I haven't been down in a few weeks

This simply isn't true. Not sure where your getting your information from but other members have stated there experiences about not being asked to pay taxes on their purchases despite not having any exemptions.

According to your logic anyone making any purchases, even a $10 item, should be taxes when returning from a same day trip and using the nexus lane. At this rate the lineup to see the cashier would be past the peace arch.

I was just talking about when you are a lot over your limit. Maybe I understood the GF wrong on that part.

The only thing murdoc got right was about the beer and wine. If you factor tax and/or duty and you're still ahead, I'm going to buy it in the states and bring it over myself. If I don't have to pay tax/duty, i see it as a bonus.

Technically the part about beer and wine is incorrect. A day trip across the border doesn't give you any exemptions on alcohol. They are not dinging you for alcohol because it's not a priority to charge taxes on a bottle of wine or a 6 pack.

Stay away from I-5 and Mt Vernon. 23 car accident

@NEWS1130Traffic: 23 vehicles involved in ax on NB I-5 after SB dump truck crossed into traffic. 1 critical. @KIRO7Seattle @CBSNews http://twitter.com/GriffKIRO7/status...306816/photo/1

Should start a separate thread just on Trader Joes.

I've been going there for years. Never a dull moment and new stuff almost every week.

Now that there's one in Bellingham, it's even better.

When I first visited I was completely underwhelmed. What a waste of a trip I thought.

A few years later and after trying a bunch of random stuff, TJs is usually the focal point of my visits nowadays (though admittedly not often given the exchange rate).

Things you cannot get up here.......... unless you go to Pirate Joe's, lol

Teetree Shampoo, dark chocolate covered ginger, just to name a few.

:heckno:

Bringing back a bottle of whiskey valued at $100 CAD during a day trip. Using NEXUS. What do you think the odds are they'll tax me?

Pretty sure I know the answer to this already.... haha

gonna get me this.........

Wink, Wink ? The Summer's Secret Is Out | Trader Joe's

Nexus or not, you'll be going in to pay duty/tax.

Please update this thread though. Curious to see how much you save at the end of the day after exchange etc.