Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
Also with a trip less than 24hrs you have to pay duty on whatever you declare that is made outside of USA/CANADA/MEXICO which is 5% gst plus duty depending on the item. Now you don't have to declare everything but to me getting flagged as a liar at the boarder is not worth the savings as once you are caught once misreporting what you are bringing in at the boarder you will get the detailed treatement every future passing.
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You are 100% correct- always declare everything. I'd say that I'm about 40% where I have had to pay duty. If most of what you are buying is groceries, those are GST and duty exempt. If I spend $300 on groceries and $200 on other stuff, now the border agency people have to go through your receipts to collect $10-20. I've found most of them will waive you through. They have more pressing things to deal with.
I've also found the Alberta crossings are less likely to charge you when coming back. Likely because they deal more frequently with only having to charge 5%- unlike other provinces where you'd have to also pay PST. (It doesn't matter where you enter Canada- you get charged tax based upon your home province.)