[Graeme S]

So some buddies of mine and I are gonna head down to the States on Thanksgiving Monday, and I want to get some cheap Costco booze. Unfortunately 'cause I'm going down for less than 24 hours I'm not gonna get the tax and duty exemptions that I'd normally get for a longer trip.

I've talked to a couple buddies, and some of them say that you're just flat out not allowed to bring booze back if you've been down for less than 24 hours. I haven't found anything like that on the CBSA site, it just says "you only get exemptions for >48 hours". I worked it out with taxes and duties, and I'd end up saving about $10 a case--not worth it for a trip in and of itself, but a decent deal if I'm already down there.


Thoughts? Ideas? Anyone in CBSA want to chime in?

[Ludepower]

whats so hard to understand...with any purchase you make
be honest and declare it and hope he lets u pass
or lie about it and risk getting caught

[Graeme S]

This is not about lying or telling the truth, this is about being allowed to bring it back. A buddy of mine has asked CBSA officers before if he's allowed to bring stuff back from Point Roberts or Blaine on mail runs, and has been flatly told "No." But when I look on CBSA's site, there is nothing prohibiting me bringing things back under 48 hours, just that I must pay taxes and duties on them.


I am not trying to ask if I can or should lie, I'm trying to figure out what I am legally permitted to do.

[bluejays]

i just go down to blaine to get gas and a six pack. always declare and never gotten asked to pay duty on the booze

[syee]

It doesn't say you can't bring it back - it just means it's subject to whatever taxes, duties, etc the want to charge you.

bsf5056: I Declare (http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5056-eng.html#s2x13)

The quantities of alcohol you can bring in must be within the limit set by the province or territory where you will enter Canada. If the value of the goods is more than your personal exemption, you will have to pay both duty and taxes, as well as provincial/territorial assessments

If the trip is <48 hours, the exemption would technically be 0 so any liquor you have will be more than your personal exemption. It doesn't appear that they list any specific values for taxes or duties and it tells you to reference your local customs office. Maybe call the office at the border you plan to cross and ask them what the tax/duty rates for Category 8 (beer), 9 (wine) or 10 (Liqueurs and Liquor) is and see if they'll tell you.

They will explicitly ask you when you come back over the border whether you have any alcohol or cigarettes so I probably wouldn't try to risk it by taking the off chance they won't ask you. Even when I take the Nexus lane across the border and do a verbal declaration, they ask me this.

[CRS]

What can I bring back with me?

When you return to Canada, duties and taxes are applicable on all purchases unless you qualify for a personal exemption. Personal exemptions allow you to bring goods of a certain value into the country without paying the regular duties. If you have been outside Canada for:

24 hours or more, you can bring in CAN$50 worth of goods free of duty and tax;
If the goods you bring in are worth more than CAN$50 in total, you cannot claim this exemption. Instead you have to pay full applicable duties and taxes on all goods you bring in.
48 hours or more, you can bring in CAN$400 worth of goods free of duty and tax;
7 days or more, you can bring in CAN$750 worth of goods free of duty and tax.
Alcohol and Tobacco - Restrictions apply to the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring into Canada under your exemption. If you have been outside Canada for at least 48 hours and are of legal age, you can bring in these amounts of alcohol and tobacco products free of duty and tax as part of your personal exemption:

Alcoholic beverages:

1.14 L (40 oz.) of liquor; or
1.5 L of wine; or
24 X 355 ml (12 oz.) containers of beer.

Travelling Outside Canada? (http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/060-eng.html)

[LSF22]

Not sure if this helps, but my buddy goes down to Point Roberts almost every week for gas, and he usually picks up a 6 pack with him. Always honest with CBSA and no restrictions/tax so far. Heard you're allowed hard liquor too but depends on how big the bottle is?

[Culverin]

^
One of the tellers at the supermarket told me a 6-pack is acceptable as part of your daily limit. Except that I didn't trust the guy and asked the border guard as I was paying for my other stuff. He told me nope, you can't do it.


This is the part that always gets me:

Alcohol and Tobacco - Restrictions apply to the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring into Canada under your exemption. If you have been outside Canada for at least 48 hours and are of legal age, you can bring in these amounts of alcohol and tobacco products free of duty and tax as part of your personal exemption:

....

If you bring in more than the free allowance of alcohol or tobacco, you will be required to pay the applicable duties and taxes.



It makes it sound like you are restricted to only what is "free", but not anymore. And the second part is "free allowance" which the guards have always told me, 48 hours or more, yet it doesn't list any sort of restriction on that page you linked.


Maybe things of changed and the guards have been telling me misinformation?

I would gladly load up on scotch at the border if all I have to do is pay the tax.
I easily save $20 per bottle tax included. Even more if I buy the higher end scotches.

[Brianrietta]

There is no restriction on purchasing items in the United States and bringing them back to Canada provided they are of course legal in both jurisdictions.

[Lomac]

Short answer: Yes, you can bring booze back if your trip is under 24 hours.

Been there, done that. Many times.

[Energy]

I'll just second what others have said - its ok to bring back alcohol (ex a 6-pack). You're obligated to pay taxes but I've never been charged for small amounts.

[TurtMcDirt]

I've been starting to gas up in Blaine and I was trying to figure out the same damn thing lol.

My findings:
- I've asked a CBSA guard as I was crossing back to Canada whether I'm allowed to bring any liquor back. She said, "Technically, you're supposed to be taxed on anything you buy within 24 hrs, but most guards will give you some slack if you keep it under $100"
- I've been taking back a 12-pack of beer every 2 weeks-ish. Haven't been taxed yet.

[pizzaMR2]

S I worked it out with taxes and duties, and I'd end up saving about $10 a case--not worth it for a trip in and of itself, but a decent deal if I'm already down there.




Mind if I ask how you calculated this?

because duty rate for alcohol is approximately 120% of the value of the bottle. And after that, you have to factor in taxes.

So unless your bottle is $2-$3 each, it's not really worth it anyway you look at it.

*all this assuming your wanting to buy hard liquor

[Manic!]

Boarder guards don't car if you bring back a 6 pack. I know someone who does it all the time. It's to much of a hassle for them two care. Just be honest and tell them.

[GLOW]

I usually bring a 12 pack back no problem. The last few trips brought back an 18 pack instead. My last trip down he let me go but warned me he'll tax me next time
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[Nechako87]

Mind if I ask how you calculated this?

because duty rate for alcohol is approximately 120% of the value of the bottle. And after that, you have to factor in taxes.

So unless your bottle is $2-$3 each, it's not really worth it anyway you look at it.

*all this assuming your wanting to buy hard liquor

+1

can anyone tell me how to calculate the taxes and duty?

I've always wondered about this.

[syee]

Here's a good breakdown I found (it's for wine but I'd imagine beer and other liquor would be the same or fairly close). Since liquor is controlled by the province, it will vary per province so this should be for BC only.

Bringing Wine Back to Canada After a Trip - WineLaw.ca (http://www.winelaw.ca/cms/index.php/legal-info-for-the-public/3-shipping-border-import-laws/19-bringing-wine-back-to-canada-after-a-trip)

Customs Duty:
$0.00 on U.S. wine, $0.03 on most other wine
Excise Duty:
$0.47
HST: 12% of (purchase price + customs duty + excise duty)
BC Liquor Board Fee: 85% of (purchase price + customs duty + excise duty) with a minimum fee of $1.83 and a maximum of $12.75
PST: now replaced by HST

[taylor192]

Short answer: Yes, you can bring booze back if your trip is under 24 hours.

Been there, done that. Many times.

x2

I used to always buy a case of beer when I made a border run to pickup packages, and rarely did the agent care to make me pay duty.

[Nechako87]

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-3-6-eng.pdf

this document outlines the liquor tax for each type of liquor.

Didn't want to replicate the information in my post, but this gives you the whole breakdown of importing liquor back into canada for non-commercial.

[unit]

I've been starting to gas up in Blaine and I was trying to figure out the same damn thing lol.

My findings:
- I've asked a CBSA guard as I was crossing back to Canada whether I'm allowed to bring any liquor back. She said, "Technically, you're supposed to be taxed on anything you buy within 24 hrs, but most guards will give you some slack if you keep it under $100"
- I've been taking back a 12-pack of beer every 2 weeks-ish. Haven't been taxed yet.

i always bring back at least 100, usually not more than 200, and havent been taxed ever.

[cruz-in]

dang... i borught back a 12 back with me one time and i guess the guard was having a bad day and told me to pull over. They ripped apart my mr2 for 2 hours and at the end, i was left with all my shit on the ground and no beer.

i get effed. :(

[Presto]

Gas up across border.
Buy 6 pack with savings.

[ra604]

if you drive up to the guard and before he says anything mention to him, can I make a verbal declaration, most of the time this always works.

LOL they know your being honest if your the first one to mention this works like a charm everytime for me :D

[icemiko]

I think it depends on the CBSA, I asked them once and she said she wouldn't care and will let it though even if I stayed less then 24 hours but that's just her and a different CBSA might care.

[Graeme S]

Most excellent. Thanks for all the help. For reference I'll be bringing back beer, not hard liquor. Five of us are heading down, and I'll be bringing back two 24s.

[lgman]

if you drive up to the guard and before he says anything mention to him, can I make a verbal declaration...
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.

[acrophobia]

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.

[pizzaMR2]

I think it depends on the CBSA, I asked them once and she said she wouldn't care and will let it though even if I stayed less then 24 hours but that's just her and a different CBSA might care.

that makes sense.

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

[PornMaster]

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

[Cman333]

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.

[Presto]

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!

[mikemhg]

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

[racerman88]

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

[tool001]

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.

[Avery]

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

[racerman88]

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

[maksimizer]

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"

[Sky_High]

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:

[Gh0stRider]

its really at the officers discretion.

[SoulCrusher]

Dont push your luck and be truthful and youll be fine.
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[Culverin]

Way to state the obvious :failed:

Actually, it's not obvious. The wording in the regulations are unclear. That's why I asked earlier in this thread.

[SoulCrusher]

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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[Graeme S]

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.

[TRDood]

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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[Sky_High]

I work the border and its officer discretion. Dont push your luck and be truthful and youll be fine. If anyones being an asshole ill send them in even if its a 6pack.
Try to limit it to an 18pack.
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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?

[MWR34]

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

[Sky_High]

^ 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.

[death_blossom]

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.

[3m186]

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.

[SoulCrusher]

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

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