Coming to Canada for Xmas with presents

[OBX 51]

Yesterday, I crossed the Peace Bridge from Buffalo to Canada coming to visit my wife (OBX). The border guard informed me that you can bring in gifts up to a value of $60 without paying duty. You can bring in as many as you wish, however, if any gift exceeds the $60 threshold you will have to pay duty on the difference between the actual value and $60. I had both wrapped and unwrapped gifts with me but wasn't asked to show anything.

Hope this helps anyone heading north in the next few days.

[Emancipation 2]

Whaaat?

A CDN Guard said that? Interesting.. i've always claimed more than that in gifts crossing over to Canada and never paid duty.

[thetreble 19]

60 bucks? Thats it? I'm screwed.

Looked it up..yeah it is 60 bucks. I always thought it was more than that.

Edited December 21, 2008 by thetreble

[Emancipation 2]

Is it 60$ total or only gifts that are valued at over $60.. (as in $60.00 a gift).. there would appear to be some conflicting info out there when I googled it just now.

[Krikit 1,164]

Is it 60$ total or only gifts that are valued at over $60.. (as in $60.00 a gift).. there would appear to be some conflicting info out there when I googled it just now.

You can bring an unlimited amount of gifts. But $60 is the tops for each gift.

[Krikit 1,164]

I always find this site really good for information: Peace Bridge Authority

The left-hand side of the screen has the links to the duty free allowances.

[Krikit 1,164]

I always find this site really good for information: Peace Bridge Authority

Ugh. Check out the webcam on that site. It's obviously super windy today. And, OMG, does it look COLD!

[thetreble 19]

Well then would it be funny if I told the officers that none of the gifts total over 60 bucks. I mean surely they wouldn't believe me haha

[Krikit 1,164]

Well then would it be funny if I told the officers that none of the gifts total over 60 bucks. I mean surely they wouldn't believe me haha

They always believe me.

But, seriously. I just respond to their questions and leave it up to them whether they want me to pull over and pay duty on a $75 (or whatever) gift. I've never been asked to yet.

[OBX 51]

My husband did tell me that the border guard did "prompt" him when asking about the gifts. She repeated to him " No individual gifts over $60?" He caught on and agreed. He has been returning to Canada since moving to the US in '92 and has never had any issues - with wrapped or unwrapped gifts - and many were over $60. I guess as with everything else it depends on the individual guard you get.

And yes it is miserable here in Niagara - blowing snow and very cold. Anyone driving north - travel safely.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Checked the live webcam too - wow, not a nice evening at all - you can just see that snow blowing across the road. Not much traffic at any rate. Stay warm guys - we're going down to 18 degrees here tonight from a high of 65 this morning. Can everyone say 'cold front'?

[Krikit 1,164]

Checked the live webcam too - wow, not a nice evening at all - you can just see that snow blowing across the road. Not much traffic at any rate. Stay warm guys - we're going down to 18 degrees here tonight from a high of 65 this morning. Can everyone say 'cold front'?

Interesting. It's pitch black in Ontario right now and yet it's still daylight here. I hadn't really noticed that big of a difference before. But, now that I think about it, I recall driving to work in the dark and coming home in the dark during the winter months. That sure was depressing. lol

[rae_and_scott 1]

Does anyone know if the alcohol allowance is per person, or maybe it's per car? The Peace Bride Authority website doesn't specify.

[Krikit 1,164]

Does anyone know if the alcohol allowance is per person, or maybe it's per car? The Peace Bride Authority website doesn't specify.

Per person.

[rae_and_scott 1]

Yay, that means more champagne!

Thank you.