I'm wondering if anyone has any info on how the new tariffs might affect our travel plans for this summer.
I did a search on the CSBA website -
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/tariffs-tarifs/index-eng.html
and I see that we'll pay a 25% tax on food we bring in to Canada. We typically buy about $500 worth of groceries in the US to pack and take up to camp, along with $200-$300 worth of meals prepared and frozen for cooking at camp.
We'll bring our grocery receipts and be prepared to pay an additional 25% at the border. What about prepared foods - save receipts for ingredients that go into those and pat tax as well?
I'm sure this will change the proportions of groceries bought in the US vs. those we buy at the IGA in Temiscaming.
Found this article on the topic-
https://www.startribune.com/anderson-packing-your-own-lunch-for-a-trip-to-canada-bring-receipts-to-pay-extra-tariff/601241154
https://www.startribune.com/canada-says-it-wont-slap-its-new-tariff-on-groceries-carried-in-by-visitors/601316917
I am not subscribed to this paper. But what I could read from this week sounds like good news on the tariff front.
I did not realize our articles from same paper.
My link from Wednesday. Things could change by my June and August trips. Time will tell
Let's hope.
Quote from: Ira on April 04, 2025, 10:26:28 AMI'm wondering if anyone has any info on how the new tariffs might affect our travel plans for this summer.
I did a search on the CSBA website -
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/tariffs-tarifs/index-eng.html
and I see that we'll pay a 25% tax on food we bring in to Canada. We typically buy about $500 worth of groceries in the US to pack and take up to camp, along with $200-$300 worth of meals prepared and frozen for cooking at camp.
We'll bring our grocery receipts and be prepared to pay an additional 25% at the border. What about prepared foods - save receipts for ingredients that go into those and pat tax as well?
I'm sure this will change the proportions of groceries bought in the US vs. those we buy at the IGA in Temiscaming.
I might be in the minority but I hope they hit you guys with every tariff they can!
Your dollar buys you 30% more on this side of the border. Why wouldn't you shop here?
I might be in the minority but I hope they hit you guys with every tariff they can!
Your dollar buys you 30% more on this side of the border. Why wouldn't you shop here?
[/quote]
Well...things are also about 30% plus higher price up there vs. US. $50 for a case of beer? Cmon. We only bring in canned goods (not brew ;D ) of brands we prefer that are not typically found at stores up there. All of our perishables are bought in Ontario or Quebec. And really...what's all the fretting about? Big whoop...you have to pay a "tax" of 25% on maybe $200 of food. That's penny-pinching if you ask me. It's vacation...you can splurge a little.
From what I have been told the 25% tariff on short term food supplies has been dropped
Not sure exactly what short term means whether its a week, a month or season
Might be all over by the time opener gets here
Agree with Lima Charlie that they should hit you with every tariff possible. Also gov't is being lobbied to limit non-res licences for US citizens to maximum 7 days with fee of $250.
Reflects POTUS comments that they don't need anything of ours.
More info right or wrong who knows
Tariffs are only on $$ above your exemption
Do you know what the exemption is?
How the tariff applies at the border
As of March 4, 2025, in response to US tariffs on Canadian-made goods, Canada is imposing a retaliatory 25% tariff on certain US products charged as a surtax. This surtax is not factored into the estimator tool.
For conditions on your personal exemptions and more complete information, see What you can bring home to Canada.
Returning after less than 24 hours
There are no personal exemptions for cross-border shoppers.
Returning after 24 and 48 hours
You can claim goods of up to CAN$200 without paying any duty and taxes.
You must have the goods with you when you enter Canada.
Tobacco products* and alcoholic beverages are not included in this exemption.
If the goods you bring in are worth more than CAN$200 in total, you cannot claim this exemption. You have to pay full duties on all goods you bring in.
Returning after 48 hours or more
You can claim goods worth up to CAN$800 without paying any duty and taxes.
You must have the goods with you when you enter Canada.
You can bring back up to 1.5 litres of wine or 1.14 litres of alcoholic beverages or up to 8.5 litres of beer.
You can bring back 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks.*
Some tobacco products* and alcoholic beverages may be included in your personal exemption.
If you exceed your personal exemption limit, please see Special Duty Rate.
Returning after 7 days or more
and alcoholic beverages with you when you enter Canada, but the rest of the goods cYou can claim goods worth up to CAN$800 without paying any duty and taxes.
You must have the tobacco products* an arrive later, as goods to follow.
You can bring back up to 1.5 litres of wine or 1.14 litres of alcoholic beverages or up to 8.5 litres of beer.
You can bring back 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks.
Some tobacco products* and alcoholic beverages may be included in your personal exemption.
Part of the year outside Canada
You are entitled to the same exemptions as above
When you import foreign goods or vehicles for your personal use in Canada you must meet all import requirements and pay all applicable duty and taxes.
Note
If you include cigarettes, tobacco sticks or manufactured tobacco in your personal exemption, you may only receive a partial exemption. You will have to pay a special duty on these products unless they have an excise stamp "DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ." Canadian-made products with this mark are sold at duty-free shops. You can speed up your clearance by having your tobacco products available for inspection when you arrive.
If you bring in more than your personal exemption, you will have to pay regular assessments on the excess amount. These regular assessments can include duty and taxes, as well as provincial or territorial fees. When they calculate the amounts owing, border services officers will give an allowance for products that have an excise stamp " DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ."
The Excise Act, 2001 limits the amount of tobacco products that may be imported (or possessed) by an individual for personal use if the tobacco product does not have an excise stamp " DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ." The limit is currently five units of tobacco products. One unit of tobacco products consists of one of the following: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks.
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What you can bring home to Canada
Date modified: 2025-04-09
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Returning after 48 hours or more
You can claim goods worth up to CAN$800 without paying any duty and taxes.
Thanks Rick for all the info. I was hoping to see what the exemption for US citizens would be.
What's the value of a fish fillet? This is all so meaningless. Rules sounds like the same they were before...unless you only go back-n-forth chasing lower priced goods. I don't bring anything of material value back from Canada ever...other than memories...and those are priceless.
T bone I have over 40 years of some really gre at memories but I have to disagree this is not meaningless. I have an off grid cottage in Canada where I spend most my summer at. Pretty much every year I'm taking stuff I acquired during the winter months up to my cottage to improve it and make it more comfortable. I'm trying to find out exactly what I'm allowed and what I might be paying in tariffs when I head up this year.
Chazz,
Technically, your opportunity to furnish your cottage was the first year you acquired it. You were compelled to make a list of items you planned on bringing up. These items had to be in your possession at the time. CBSA would have documented your move so to speak and as you brought stuff up, they would have crossed them off on your documentation.
This method avoids foreigners from going out and buying brand new furnishings years later and claiming they are for their cottage.
So to answer your question-pretty much everything you bring up now could be subject to tax if it has value.
Make a list with a garage sale value for said article. If its a new item, bring the receipt.