CBSA duty free policies -- multiple crossings into USA during one trip?

[Motorcycle Mike]

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I searched all over the CBSA website, and googled, but I couldn’t find any direct answers to the following scenario:

According to http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pdt-pdt-eng.html, we are allowed to bring up to $800 worth of goods back after a 48h absence.

Now, lets say I go on a trip to Vancouver through the USA. I take 4 days to get there, buy $800 worth of goods, cross into Canada for a few days, then come back through USA again… can I bring another $800 worth of goods with me?

If that is how it works, how would I prove to CBSA upon my second return to Canada all of this? I don’t want to get into the situation where I have more than $800 worth of goods and they don’t accept that I came back into Canada during the trip, and I also don't want to mail myself a package from Vancouver if I can avoid it.

 

[oilycreek]

I searched all over the CBSA website, and googled, but I couldn’t find any direct answers to the following scenario:

According to http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pdt-pdt-eng.html, we are allowed to bring up to $800 worth of goods back after a 48h absence.

Now, lets say I go on a trip to Vancouver through the USA. I take 4 days to get there, buy $800 worth of goods, cross into Canada for a few days, then come back through USA again… can I bring another $800 worth of goods with me?

If that is how it works, how would I prove to CBSA upon my second return to Canada all of this? I don’t want to get into the situation where I have more than $800 worth of goods and they don’t accept that I came back into Canada during the trip, and I also don't want to mail myself a package from Vancouver if I can avoid it.

I believe it is per visit.

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[LiNK666]

I searched all over the CBSA website, and googled, but I couldn’t find any direct answers to the following scenario:

According to http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pdt-pdt-eng.html, we are allowed to bring up to $800 worth of goods back after a 48h absence.

Now, lets say I go on a trip to Vancouver through the USA. I take 4 days to get there, buy $800 worth of goods, cross into Canada for a few days, then come back through USA again… can I bring another $800 worth of goods with me?

If that is how it works, how would I prove to CBSA upon my second return to Canada all of this? I don’t want to get into the situation where I have more than $800 worth of goods and they don’t accept that I came back into Canada during the trip, and I also don't want to mail myself a package from Vancouver if I can avoid it.

That won't apply. It has to be per visit. They will screw you hardcore for the tax.

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

That won't apply. It has to be per visit. They will screw you hardcore for the tax.

Why wouldn't that be considered two visits though? I would be spending a few days in USA, in Canada for a few days, a few days in USA, and back in Canada... to me that is two seperate crossings into USA.

 

[LiNK666]

Why wouldn't that be considered two visits though? I would be spending a few days in USA, in Canada for a few days, a few days in USA, and back in Canada... to me that is two seperate crossings into USA.

Unfortunately, they are not you and do not see things the way you do. They will say it's two visits. They won't care ... It's impossible, and high recommended not to argue with the border crossing officer.

 

[jc100]

You might be ok but you'll probably have to have proof of each visit, duration and all receipts as you'll be bringing items you bought previously back into the US after the first visit, which I'm assuming will probably include booze. If I were you I'd call your nearest border crossing to explain what you plan to do. They usually

they usually have someone there to help with enquiries.

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

You might be ok but you'll probably have to have proof of each visit, duration and all receipts as you'll be bringing items you bought previously back into the US after the first visit, which I'm assuming will probably include booze. If I were you I'd call your nearest border crossing to explain what you plan to do. They usually

they usually have someone there to help with enquiries.

Yeah, I'll likely give them a call to figure it out.

What I would do is wait to buy the booze until the second crossing, but I also want to buy and have installed four tires, buy a bunch of jugs of oil, and a whole pile of other crap. Then again, my wife will be with me so maybe we'll just wait for the return trip and buy everything on the return leg.

 

[FullMotoJacket]

Why wouldn't that be considered two visits though? I would be spending a few days in USA, in Canada for a few days, a few days in USA, and back in Canada... to me that is two seperate crossings into USA.

You could bring $800 worth of goods back, put them in storage, a locker at the bus terminal, or something, depending on size. You can go back for another 48 and do it again. I don't think I'd do it 3 times, as that's going to set off alarm bells.

 

[caboose56]

Keep the receipts from your border crossing tolls along with the receipts for your goods.

Not rocket science, you can show that you bought certain things between each border crossing. If you're still paranoid you can stop at Canadian Customs prior to entering the US for the 2nd time and show them your stuff. They can document that you already had it prior to entering the US for the 2nd time.

 

[Poindexter]

There's a process just for this purpose, at least there was.. When you leave Vancouver you stop on the Canadian side before crossing and go into the customs office where they will fill out a form detailing goods you are taking into the USA and you will be returning with. It's always a good idea to do this anyways with some things like computers or valuables as proof that you are not smuggling them in on your return. You should then be able to purchase another $800 worth of goods and declare those.

Sorry,, I duplicated what caboose said above,, just noticed

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