How much can I take across the border?
Canadians and Americans are allowed to bring as much as they like when they cross the border. However, only a portion of what is brought into the U.S. (or into Canada) is considered free of taxes and duties. The portion that is tax and duty free is called a customs allowance.
Goods Tax & Duty Free
$200CAD per person
Tobacco
200 Cigarettes (1 carton)
50 Cigars; or Cigarellos
200 tobacco sticks
200G manufactured tobacco
Alcohol
1.5L of wine or 1.14L of liquor or 24 x 355mL cans/bottles of beer or ale
Goods, Tax & Duty Free
Up to $800CAD per person
It starts with an “Anytime Personal Exemption”
Canadians can bring 1L of alcohol (1L of spirits, wine and beer) and some tobacco into the U.S. regardless of the duration of the stay in the U.S., so long as the alcohol and tobacco is for personal use.
You can still save, even with tax and duty charges
You may have to pay taxes and duties on purchases over and above the customs allowance. This will be calculated by a On purchases over and above the customs allowance, you may be required to pay some nominal taxes and duties. This will be calculated by a Customs official after you declare.
Here’s how it adds up: if you exceed your duty free allowance and exemptions entering the U.S., the following approximate U.S. duty and tax rates apply:
- US $2 – $3 per bottle of liquor, on average
- US $1.90 per case of beer, on average
- US $10.07 per carton of cigarettes, on average
*US duty rates on purchases exceeding 1 litre of alcohol are assessed according to alcohol content
Products other than alcohol and tobacco may also require a duty payment.
If you are Canadian, when you return to Canada you may be asked to pay the regular taxes and duties on the value of items over your customs allowance. Be aware that many items qualify for reduced or zero duty.
Tobacco
50 Cigarettes
100 Cigars
Alcohol
150mL of alcoholic beverages
Goods
$200USD per person
Tobacco
200 Cigarettes
100 Cigars
Alcohol
1L of alcoholic beverages
1 case24 bottles of beer
Gifts
Up to $800USD per person. This is a monthly exemption. Family members can combine their $800 per person monthly import privileges.
It starts with an “Anytime Personal Exemption”
Americans can return to the U.S. with $200USD worth of goods per person, including 5oz of alcohol on any daily visit to Canada.
You can still save, even with tax and duty charges
You may have to pay taxes and duties on purchases over and above the customs allowance. This will be calculated by a On purchases over and above the customs allowance, you may be required to pay some nominal taxes and duties. This will be calculated by a Customs official after you declare.
Here’s how it adds up: if you exceed your duty free allowance and exemptions entering the U.S., the following approximate U.S. duty and tax rates apply:
- US $2 – $3 per bottle of liquor, on average
- US $1.90 per case of beer, on average
- US $10.07 per carton of cigarettes, on average
*US duty rates on purchases exceeding 1 litre of alcohol are assessed according to alcohol content
Products other than alcohol and tobacco may also require a duty payment.
If you are Canadian, when you return to Canada you may be asked to pay the regular taxes and duties on the value of items over your customs allowance. Be aware that many items qualify for reduced or zero duty.