Crossing The Canada/US Border

[Antithesis]

I couldn't find another thread where my question would fit so I just went with a new topic.

This summer my wife and I will be travelling to New York for our vacation but it will be a little unique, I guess ... we will fly Calgary-New York and stay there for about 4 nights, then up to Toronto from New York to visit relatives for about 4 nights, then back to New York from Toronto for another 3 nights, then home.

My question is, how do we deal with customs claims on the items we will purchase in New York the first time? Will they 'officially' become ours upon our first border crossing into Toronto, or will we have to declare them again when we re-cross the border on our way home to Calgary?

I'm a 'keep-my-receipts' guy, so I'd like to keep things on the up-and-up ... I know I can just take the tags off, etc, etc, but it's not a viable option for me.

Any advice that you all have for me will be appreciated.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Just claim it all when you come through the second time and expalin it to the customs agent.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Claim them when you cross the border on your way to Toronto. They'll give you a receipt for any taxes and duties you may pay. Since you're a keep your receipts kind of guy, you'll have proof you declared any stuff you purchased during the first part of your trip.

But I'd suggest waiting until after you cross the border the first time for any big purchases you make in NY since you'll pay 8% PST on taxable goods when you're going into Ontario.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

But I'd suggest waiting until after you cross the border the first time for any big purchases you make in NY since you'll pay 8% PST on taxable goods when you're going into Ontario.

I wouldn't advise doing that. If they catch you failing to declare items, they can take them away from you, or even charge you. What proof do you have that you are weren't planning on mailing those items to yourself, or leaving them with a friend in Toronto. (Because at that point they have you dead to rights for smuggling, it would be up to you to prove your defense.)

I say claim everything from each trip. (Because CCRA treats each border crossing as one trip, no matter what you have in mind for your itinerary.) Then keep your receipts and your proof of payment. Then if you get asked on trip#2 why there are these new items, show that you have already brought them into Canada and paid duty.

And in case you are under your limit the first time back and don't have to pay duty, ask the customs officer there what you can do to prove you brought these items back under the first exemption.

[fredr123]

Where's Jolinar when you actually need him?

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I wouldn't advise doing that. If they catch you failing to declare items, they can take them away from you, or even charge you. What proof do you have that you are weren't planning on mailing those items to yourself, or leaving them with a friend in Toronto. (Because at that point they have you dead to rights for smuggling, it would be up to you to prove your defense.)

I think you replied to the wrong post.

All I suggested is making any big purchases in NY after you've already been to Toronto. I.e. after you have crossed the border back into Canada the first time. That way you can declare the goods in Alberta and not pay PST.

[Gozer]

If you get caught with pot, claim you just came from China.

[ken0042]

Sorry GTF, I actually read your post wrong; and I did have it mixed up with BBS's.

[ernie]

You claim what you bought during your first stint when you come back into Canada on your way to Toronto. For border purposes this is the end of your trip to the States.

You claim what you bought your second stint when you cross on the way back home.

If you have travelled from Calgary to New York on vacation and when crossing to go to Toronto fail to claim something the customs agent is going to be suspicious and you could lose the goods you have.

Claim those goods and no you don't have to claim them a second time. You will claim what you bought on the second stint in the states as that is the only stint the customs agent is going to look at.

Now if you are staying at the same place in the states you could leave your goods behind from the first stint, take them across when you are finished the vacation and coming home and claim everything then (claimed goods must accompany you across the border). But doing this way will lose you $400 worth of exemption.

You allowance is determined by your continuous time abroad for each of those two trips away from canada. I believe the day you leave canada or the first 24 hours is not considered a day away from Canada. If gone for 48 hours you have a $400 allowance..I'm guessing that is what you'll have for each trip.

I know for the 24 hour exemption of $50 if you exceed that amount you can not use the exemption. Don't think it's the same for the longer stay allowances.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Where's Jolinar when you actually need him?

He got a tip on his missing extension cord.