If the Black Friday deals at home this year aren’t enticing enough and you venture down south, the Canadian Border Services Agency is warning of increased traffic volumes. It also happens to be American Thanksgiving.
The CBSA is anticipating heavy volumes of vehicles passing through its crossing between November 23-25.
The agency is reminding travellers to have proper identification readily available when approaching crossings, declare all purchases made and have receipts available. If possible, the CBSA is asking for travellers to provide a total sum of all goods purchased for each person in the vehicle.
Personal exemptions
After being away for:
- Less than 24 hours: There is no personal exemption for stays less than 24 hours.
- 24 hours or more: CAN $200 — if the amount being imported exceeds CAN $200, the duty and taxes are applicable on the entire amount of the imported goods.
- 48 hours or more: CAN $800 — including alcohol and tobacco; duty and taxes are applicable on the amount of imported goods above CAN $800.
- 7 days or more: CAN $800 — including alcohol and tobacco; duty and taxes are applicable on the amount of imported goods above CAN $800. Goods may be in your possession at time of entry to Canada but are also permitted to follow entry to Canada (via courier, mail or delivery agent or pickup by the importer). Alcohol and tobacco must be in your possession at the time of entry to qualify for a duty-free exemption.
Border wait times are available online and via Twitter (Emerson crossing).
