With the inflation of prices in Canada, many Canadians are going across the border for events, concerts, groceries, and general cross-border shopping trips for better deals.
But how much are you actually allowed to bring back into Canada? What’s the duty-free limit these days? Are there things that you aren’t allowed to bring back to Canada? Luck for you, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about how much you’re able to bring back to Canada from a shopping trip across the border.
Back to Canada: What you can bring
Depending on your home province, what you’re allowed to bring back and how much you can bring back varies. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful infographic so you can shop across the border with ease!
Declaration, documents and duties
Always declare everything! According to Canada Border Services Agency, many travellers fail to declare:
- Processed or canned foods
- Homemade food
- Cooked or cured meats
- Handmade crafts, including wooden items
- Soil or plants used for homeopathic or medicinal purposes
- Bait for recreational fishing
Want to reduce time going through the border? Make sure you have all the required documents on hand; here’s a list from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Don’t be surprised by duties. Instead, get an early estimate by visiting the Canada Border Services Agency’s duty and taxes estimator in advance.
Happy cross-border travels,
Suki
Sources: Government of Canada – Travellers: what you can bring into Canada and Bringing Consumer Products into Canada
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in October 2021 and has been updated for freshness and/or accuracy.
If I am in the US for 48 hours can I bring four new tires mount on rims on my car?
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your query. While tires are not specifically in the prohibited list, you may have to pay applicable duty or taxes, depending on your place of residence in Canada (http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html).
To confirm if you’re allowed to bring tires mounted on rims, please call the Border Information Service at 1800-461-9999 within Canada or 204-983-3500 from outside Canada.
Hope this helps you find the information you’re looking for.
Happy travels,
Shweta
Crossed over for a beach vacay and had a peice of wood from a bundle in the box of our truck from a beach fire. It was a big NO NO! Got pulled aside and questioned about our little peice of firewood. Not like we cared about bringing it back to Canada, it was just forgotten about. We had to walk it back to the states and “get rid of it”
Hi Jode,
Thank you so much for sharing your cross-border experience with us. While travellers are allowed to bring in finished wood products or wooden souvenirs back to Canada, they’re required to be free of bark, insects and evidence of insect activity (http://ow.ly/OFIR305uABs).
Chances are, your piece of firewood contained harmful insects or evidence of insects, and therefore was not allowed across the border. I’m glad you were able to get rid of the wood, and I’m sure that this will be helpful information for all our readers!
Happy cross-border travels,
Shweta
The ban on raw poultry products was only from certain states, not all of the US. The biggest issue was, lots of times poultry in the meat dept., they couldn’t tell you what state it came from, as they would get it from their meat distribution center.
However….the ban has been lifted as of about a month or so ago, at least according to the CBSA officers I talked to. I cross about once a month to gather items for my business and was informed that poultry was good to go now.
Hi Scott,
Thank you so much for the information; you’re absolutely right about the ban of poultry products from certain states. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the ban is only related to poultry products originating from states like Indiana.
While the rules at the border may be relaxed, the information related to these prohibited items and avian flu is still up on Government of Canada’s website (https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/what-you-can-bring-home-to-canada), so we’ve included it in this article to help Canadian travellers make informed decisions when crossing the border.
We’ll keep a close eye on related alerts and will regularly update this page for accuracy. Meanwhile, thanks again for sharing your experience. I’m sure this information will be helpful for travellers who visit the US frequently!.
Happy cross-border travels,
Shweta
Well for one, the link provided is broken, and there is nothing under the Travel banner that says anything about no poultry or Avian flu.
Zika virus….but otherwise, natta
Hi Scott,
Sorry about that. Here’s the correct link and we’ve edited the broken link in our last comment too!
https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/what-you-can-bring-home-to-canada
Thanks,
Shweta
Hi,
I am going to USA for 5 days for an official trip and carrying my office laptop with me. While returning back to CANADA along with this office laptop I am also bringing an another personal laptop(which is new one bought by my sister in USA) which is worth of CAD 470 dollar.
is there any charges for this ? where I can check the information related to this ? do I need to mention this to Border Services agency?
could you please help..
Hi Pradeep,
As per the duty-free limits for Canadians, since you’ll be returning after 48 hours, you’re permitted to bring in a maximum of $800 (CAD) worth of goods without paying regular duty and taxes. This limit also includes alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco.
If you plan to purchase or bring anything else across the border besides the laptop, you’ll only need to pay additional duties or taxes if the total value of goods purchased exceeds $800(CAD). Head to CBSA’s duty and taxes estimator (http://ow.ly/rkPA307UOfX) and select your province along with the product category to get an estimate of the additional duties you may need to pay.
It’s important to note that the duty-free limits only apply to new purchases, so they shouldn’t impact the items you already own that you’re carrying into the US. However, the Government of Canada advises that even if items are allowed into Canada, they should still be declared on your declaration card.
Hope this answers your question!
Happy cross-border travels,
Shweta
Hi,
I am traveling to US for 5 days and carrying my office laptop with me. while coming back to my country of residence CANADA I also bringing a new laptop with me and its cost is CAD 470
is there a additional fee/charges I need to pay at the Canadian border agency ?
could you explain as I have 2 laptops what I need to do here ? do I also need to inform while going to US or coming back about these laptops in the declarations forms ?
Will be in arizona for 2 weeks, bringing back pecans from the Green Valley orchard, is there a limit on how much pecans one can bring home.
Hi Robert,
Since you will be returning to Canada after 48 hours, you can bring in $800 (CAD) worth of goods without paying any duties and taxes. This limit also includes alcohol, tobacco and cigarettes.
If you’re planning to bring back pecans, they fall under the category of nuts, and may require additional documentation such as valid permits or a certificate from country of origin. Check out this guide by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for more details http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada-/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990.
Bon Voyage,
Shweta
I was told the I could go to Platsburg for the day and purchase my groceries duty free. Is this true?
Hi Christine,
If you’re a Canadian resident travelling to the US and returning in less than 24 hours, you may be charged with applicable duty and taxes. For more accurate information, head to the duty and taxes estimator on Canada Border Services Agency website (http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html) and select your place of residence and relevant category and product.
Happy cross border shopping,
Shweta
Hi there,
That’s a great question! The deductible usually depends on the type of policy purchased. If you chose a specific deductible at the time of purchase, that amount would be applied when you make a claim. As mentioned in the example above, we would also apply a $15,000 deductible in the event that an honest mistake was made when submitting a medical health questionnaire.
If you’ve purchased your policy recently and are unclear about your deductible or other policy details, feel free to connect with our Customer Service team. You can call us toll-free on 1855-929-8846 or email us at info@tugo.com.
Happy travels,
Shweta
Hi Marie-France,
You’re right. We should have highlighted it as ‘Best destinations to see cherry blossoms on the west coast’. Since the author was based in Vancouver, we decided to focus on events based in and around the city and also included some international events for people interested in travelling abroad for hanami or blossom viewing.
Thank you for the addition of Sakura in High Park (http://www.sakurainhighpark.com/)!
Happy cherry blossom travels,
Shweta
I’m crossing the border at Windsor into states. Shopping in Sault Michigan and crossing into Soo Canada .Staying a week then returning to Windsor via Detroit border with the goods I’ve purchased at beginning of trip. Can I do that.
Hi,
How many dollars of candies (without taxes..) can i bring back in Canada after less than 24h ?
Hi Amélie,
There are no personal exemptions for cross-border shoppers returning after less than 24 hours, so you might be charged with applicable duty and taxes for all goods purchased in the US (including alcohol).
To get an idea of how much you might have to pay based on your place of residence, head to the Canada Border Service Agency’s Duty and Taxed Estimator http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html
Happy cross border shopping,
Shweta
If you purchase clothing at a Thrift Store or Second Hand Store, are these items duty-free or are they also taxable at the border coming back into Canada?
Hi Tanis,
Since the Government of Canada has not specified any specific rules regarding used clothing, the same duty-free limits may be applicable. If the used clothing has been purchased from a thrift store, second hand store or flea market, remember to save the receipt to show value.
Ultimately, a border services officer will determine what or how much you can bring back, including applicable duty and taxes.
Happy cross border travels,
Shweta
bonjour j’habite au Quebec et j’aimerais acheter un campeur porté usagé fabriqué au Canada mais qui est en vente présentement chez un concessionnaire dans l’état de New York. est ce que j’aurai une taxe de douane à payer ?
Bonjour Dominique,
Selon le gouvernement du Canada, lorsque vous importez des biens ou un véhicule à des fins d’usage personnel au Canada (même temporairement), vous devez répondre à tous les critères d’importation et payer les taxes et les frais de douane appropriés. Pour obtenir plus d’information au sujet de l’achat et l’importation d’un véhicule depuis les États-Unis, je vous invite à consulter https://voyage.gc.ca/retour/douane/importation-vehicule
Bonne route,
Marie
if i pick up a package from across the border and bring it back over, will i have to pay the duties on it everytime i go over and pick another one up?
Hi Kyle,
Based on your absence from the country and personal exemption, you might have to pay duty and taxes every time you cross the border. Ultimately, a border services officer will determine if and how much you have to pay on every visit.
Hope this answers your query. For more information, feel free to contact Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999 within Canada.
Happy travels,
Shweta
i am traveling to usa with my wife for 10 days can i combine the max allowed ex 800+800 = 1600
Hi Pascal,
That is a great question! According to Government of Canada, you cannot combine your personal exemptions with those of another person or transfer them to someone else. It also specifies that you cannot combine your 48-hour exemption (CAN$800) with your seven-day exemption (CAN$800) for a total exemption of CAN$1,600.
However, there are some exceptions for parents travelling with children or infants. For more information, check the Conditions on your personal exemptions section here https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/what-you-can-bring-home-to-canada.
Happy cross border shopping,
Shweta
Salut.
Je voulais savoir si les achats pour entreprises doivent aussi être sujets à ces règles. Je dois acheter une machine pour mon commerce de détail qui se fabrique et vend seulement aux usa. Est ce que je dois payer des frais de douanes ? Merci.
Bonjour Carlo,
Les règles pour les achats commerciaux sont différentes des règles pour les achats à des fins personnels mais en gros, oui ces achats sont sujets au droit de douane. Je vous invite à consulter le site de l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada à cet effet. Vous y trouverez un guide étape par étape pour tout ce qui concerne l’importation de marchandises commerciales au Canada. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/guide-fra.html
Durant la périodes des fêtes j’aimerais faire un aller retour au USA et j’aimerais avoir une idée des frais que j’aurai a payer en declarant mes achats. Par exemple quelques items d’épicerie et aussi des biens (tissus, ruban, vetement etc) taxes et autre frais ?? pouvez vous m’aider merci je suis du quebec
Bonjour France,
En ce qui concerne les taxes et frais de douanes à payer, tout dépend de ce que vous achetez et le prix payé pour chacun des articles. Je vous invite donc à utiliser l’outil Estimateur des droits et des taxes du gouvernement du Canada (lien ci-dessous). Vous n’avez qu’à inscrire votre province de résidence, le type de produit et la valeur approximative de celui-ci, et vous obtiendrez le montant approximatif à payer.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-fra.html
Merci et bon magasinage 🙂
Hi there,
For same day shoppers, all goods brought in from the US (including alcohol) can be charged with applicable duty and taxes. Head to the duty and taxes estimator to get an idea about the amount of duty and taxes you might have to pay based on your place of residence and the items you’re planning to bring into Canada. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html
Happy cross border shopping,
Shweta
I have been to the States since November and I am returning to Ontario in December for 6 weeks. I will come back to the States in February 2018. I made a purchase of $1,800 US in December but will bring only $900 worth of products with me. Do I need to declare the whole purchase.
Hi Lise,
Good question! According to the Government of Canada: “You must declare all goods you acquired while outside Canada, including purchases, gifts, prizes and awards that you have with you or are being shipped to you.” So in your case, you should only have to declare your $900 purchase. Check out I Declare: A Guide for residents returning to Canada, for more details (https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/declare-eng.html#_s12).
Have a great trip,
Sarah
Hi – great site here. Here’s my question: if I bring back something (one thing) worth more than my exemption, do I pay duty on the entire amount is worth? Or only the difference between what it is worth, and my exemption ?
Hi Alfred,
Glad you enjoyed our site. The duty-free limits show you the permissible limits based on your return date. If you’re bringing in anything beyond these limits, the duty and taxes estimator will help you get an idea of how much you might need to pay.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/dte-acl/est-cal-eng.html will
Hope this solves your query,
Happy cross border shopping!
Shweta
Hi Brittany,
Great question! According to Government of Canada, even young children and infants are entitled to a personal exemption. As a parent, you can make a declaration on behalf of your children as long as the goods you are declaring are for their use. Hence the limit you mentioned will apply to them as well as long as your purchase is for them.
Hope this answers your question. Have fun shopping in US!
Shweta
Doit-on dire que nous n’avons rien à déclarer si nous n’excedons pas ce qui est permis?
Bonjour Estelle,
Je vous invite à consulter le site Web de l’Agence des services frontaliers du Canada pour trouver la réponse à votre question. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/declare-fra.html#_s8b pour avoir la réponse exacte à votre question. En gros, toute marchandise importée au Canada doit être déclarée.
Bonjour, si je vais au USA pour une durée de 24-48 heures, puis-je ramener de l’alcool dès lors que je paie les taxes à la frontière? Si oui quelle est la quantité maximale que je peux ramener?
Bonjour Jean-Michel,
Pour toute questions relatives aux douanes et à l’import d’alcool au Canada, je vous invite à contacter directement l’Agence de services frontaliers du Canada qui saura vous donner une réponse précise selon votre situation.
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/declare-fra.html#_s8f
Merci et bonne fin de journée!
So I purchase some hiking shoes online and plan to pick it up over the border and go for a hike while I’m over the border. Essentially it’ll be used once I return back (less than 24 hours). Do I need to declare this?
Hi there,
Yes, according to the CBSA website, “you must declare all goods you acquired while outside Canada, including purchases, gifts, prizes and awards that you have with you or are being shipped to you,” so declaring your shoes would be your best bet.
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/declare-eng.html
Happy hiking!
Linnea
Hi, I live in US and I’m planning to go to Canada to meet my brother who just arrived in Ontario on student visa. Can I gift him my 2 year old/used microwave??
Unfortunately, I do not have any receipt saved for it as it was not my plan.
Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!
Hi there,
Are you driving up to Canada? The short answer is yes, you can absolutely gift him your used microwave. According to the Government of Canada, “You’ll have to pay duty on any item you bring that hasn’t been used. You do not have to pay duty on: …. appliances, such as a stove or refrigerator”
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/prepare-life-canada/border-entry/bringing-goods.html
Hopefully this helps!
Cheers,
Linnea
Hi. My adult daughter wants a bottle of bourbon not available in Ontario. Can I drive across the border, buy one and return in an hour or two, of course declaring it and paying associated fees?
Hi Robin,
Thanks for your comment! According to the Government of Canada’s website (https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/what-you-can-bring-home-to-canada#alcohol), you can bring back any amount of goods, as long as you’re willing to pay the duty, taxes and any provincial or territorial assessments that apply. This rule applies even if you don’t qualify for a personal exemption (in this case, bringing alcohol across the border after less than 48 hours). You should have all purchases made abroad and your receipts readily available. Be prepared to make a full and accurate declaration, including the amount of goods you are bringing with you, in Canadian dollars. If you want to find out exactly how much you’d have to pay, I’d recommend calling the CBSA toll-free at 1-800-461-9999.
Hope that helps!
Linnea