A lot of people like to go shopping but they are very unclear about the duty and other tax.  We often see a lot of people try to cheat the system and wear clothes before the Custom.  Remember the first and most important rule: Declare Everything Truthfully.  Even you spend more than the limits, there are 75% of chances you will not get taxed.

We went to the states many times and so far we never got taxed.  When giving the officer passport, I always had my receipts on the other hand.  The officer would ask you the amount you spent during the trip and I always waved the receipts and told the officer the amount.  The officer would think I had all my receipts ready for inspection.

If you even lied once and got caught, your name would be entered into "black list".  You would be charged with heavy duty tax and your car would be searched every time you come back from the states.

With all being said,here is the personal exceptions, if you leave Canada for

• Less than 24 hours: no personal exceptions.  Even so, report honestly and 90% of the time the officer would just let you go.
• From 24 hours - 48 hours: $50 Canadian exceptions.
• From 48 hours - 7 days: $400 Canadian exceptions.
• 7 days +: $750 Canadian exceptions.

The following are some examples of the limits that apply to personal importations of food products from the United States:

• 2 dozen eggs;
• 20 kilograms of dairy products not exceeding $20 in value (e.g. cheese and butter);
• 3 kilograms of margarine or butter substitutes; and
• 20 kilograms of edible meats and meat products, including turkey and chicken.

Before entering Canada with these products, contact the Border Information Services at 204-983-3500.