How much am I allowed to take across the border?

Customs Allowances

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. is considered free of taxes and duties. The portion that is tax and duty free is called a customs allowance.

Canadians entering the United States

Anytime personal exemption* for “personal consumption ”Please check with the regulations of the State you are arriving in; they may have more restrictive limits.

*What is 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.

How much tax and duty will I be charged if I go over my customs allowance?

You may have to pay taxes and duties on purchases over and above the customs allowance. This will be calculated by a Customs official after you declare.

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.

Travelers entering the U.S. * allowances per person

Tobacco
• 200 cigarettes;
• 100 cigars (non Cuban); or
• 2 kilograms of fine cut tobacco.

Alcohol
• 1.0 litre of wine, liquor or beer, or ale.

Gifts
• $100 CAD to be left in the USA

Canadians returning to Canada from the US

Duration of stay in the US
Between 24 and 48 hours

Travelers returning to Canada
* allowance per person

$200.00 CAD worth of goods, tax and duty free, per person

  • This does not include purchases of alcohol or tobacco – these are subject to duties and taxes

Duration of stay in the US
Over 48 hours

Travelers returning to Canada
* allowance per person

Up to $800.00 CAD worth of goods, tax and duty free, per person. Purchases may include:

Tobacco

  • 200 cigarettes (1 carton);

  • 50 cigars (non Cuban); or cigarillos;

  • 200 tobacco sticks; and

  • 200 grams of manufactured tobacco.

Alcohol

  • 1.5 litres of wine; or

  • 1.14 litres of liquor; or

  • 24 – 355 ml cans/bottles (8.5 litres) of beer or ale.

Americans returning to the United States

Duration of stay in Canada
Between 24 and 48 hours

Travelers returning to the US
* allowance per person

Tobacco & Alcohol
$200.00 USD per person, this includes:

• 50 cigarettes and 10 cigars (non Cuban) and • 150 milliliters (5 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages

Duration of stay in Canada
Over 48 hours

Travelers returning to the US
* allowance per person

$800.00 USD per person. This is a monthly exemption. Family members can combine their $800 per person monthly import privileges.

Tobacco

  • You are allowed to include up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars (non Cuban) in your exemption.

Alcohol

  • You can import 1 Litre (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or 1 case of beer (24 bottles).