Max amount for gifts into Canada

[JaJo08 0]

So I'm travelling to see my wife and family for the holidays and was curious is there a max amount of gifts I can bring into the country. I believe as of right now, everything will total around $300-$350 which includes a bottle of scotch. I don't need to bring receipts for everything do I?

thanks and happy holidays!

J

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Here is a useful website for you: http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/enter_canada.asp

Apparently, as a US resident you can bring in any number of gifts for friends and family as long as each gift does not exceed $60. When it exceeds $60 you will need to pay duty on it. There are provincial limits on how much alcohol you can bring in as personal luggage so you should check what it says for where you are going. It might be a good idea to hold onto receipts if you have them just in case you are challenged about the value of something. Hope this helps.

Edited November 30, 2009 by Kathryn41

[trailmix 77]

nm

Edited November 30, 2009 by trailmix

[neiks 19]

Gifts

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pu...-eng.html#s2x18

Alcohol:

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pu...2-eng.html#s2x5

And yes, it is best to bring your receipts for everything you are leaving in Canada.

[brocku00 1]

$60 per person is the limit. Make sure to have your reciepts. You will be charged taxes/duty on any overages. Hope this helps.

[darkchilde794 5]

Not sure what your status is right now too, but if you or your spouse has Canadian citizenship, you can bring up to 700 CAD worth of stuff as long as youve been out of the country for a week or more. But if you say they are a gift for someone else, then it is subjected to the 60 CAD rule

[neiks 19]

Not sure what your status is right now too, but if you or your spouse has Canadian citizenship, you can bring up to 700 CAD worth of stuff as long as youve been out of the country for a week or more. But if you say they are a gift for someone else, then it is subjected to the 60 CAD rule

Correction: Canadian resident. You can still be a Canadian citizen and not a resident of Canada. CBSA regulations for entitlements of bringing goods into Canada is based on your residency not citizenship.

[neiks 19]

$60 per person is the limit

Sorry, I have to do another correction:

It is $60 per gift. As long as your items aren't over $60 each you will be fine. For example if you have 5 gifts unnder $60 you are Ok. If you have a TV that is $300 then you get a $60 gift exemption and then will have to pay tax and possibly duty on $240.

[Texanadian 10]

Being as I flew to Canada for vacation 2 weeks ago, I really had to cringe at Canada's useless customs taxes. As a US resident, I can bring back $800 USD worth of stuff from Canada. No time rules either.

Back on topic....Yep, $60 per gift. Which if you ever mail multiple stuff to Canada, the border will probably forget the "per gift" part and tax everything combined that cost more than $60. Happened to my parents last Christmas when I mailed stuff to them.

[darkchilde794 5]

Not sure what your status is right now too, but if you or your spouse has Canadian citizenship, you can bring up to 700 CAD worth of stuff as long as youve been out of the country for a week or more. But if you say they are a gift for someone else, then it is subjected to the 60 CAD rule

Correction: Canadian resident. You can still be a Canadian citizen and not a resident of Canada. CBSA regulations for entitlements of bringing goods into Canada is based on your residency not citizenship.

Ah! Okay, I thought it applied if you lived there or held citizenship there. I guess if you dont live there and dont pay taxes, they will take your money in other avenues

[Krikit 1,165]

Being as I flew to Canada for vacation 2 weeks ago, I really had to cringe at Canada's useless customs taxes. As a US resident, I can bring back $800 USD worth of stuff from Canada. No time rules either.

You are talking about two separate things..... a visitor to Canada and a returning US resident. Different rules apply.

Back on topic....Yep, $60 per gift. Which if you ever mail multiple stuff to Canada, the border will probably forget the "per gift" part and tax everything combined that cost more than $60. Happened to my parents last Christmas when I mailed stuff to them.

Mailing something is completely different than visiting the country and bringing gifts.

Edited December 2, 2009 by Krikit

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I don;t know - I sent all my Christmas gifts for the family back with my little brother a few weeks ago. he had a list of what they were (since they were wrapped)...but I didn't put the value or provide receipts

They didn't ask him anything beyond him saying he had gifts for the family from his sister or even check them. I've never had a problem mailing stuff before either...maybe I just don't mail expensive gifts.

Edited December 2, 2009 by Udella&Wiz

[Texanadian 10]

Mailing something is completely different than visiting the country and bringing gifts.

They're the exact same.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5092-eng.html

[Krikit 1,165]

Mailing something is completely different than visiting the country and bringing gifts.

They're the exact same.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5092-eng.html

Oh wow. That's good to know. Thank you.

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Just another reminder during the Holidays...it may not be a good idea to wrap your gifts prior to crossing...if they want, they have the right to make you unwrap the gifts (if they don't have access the xray etc...)

It's happened before to a friend...talk about a bummer if your a good wrapper lol