New tariffs

[Ira]

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.

[Ira]

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

[Lizard King]

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.

[Lizard King]

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

[Ira]

Let's hope.

[limacharley]

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.

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?

[T-Bone]

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  ) 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.

[RickOnt]

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
 

[Mal]

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.

[RickOnt]

More info right or wrong who knows

Tariffs are only on $$ above your exemption

[Chazz]

Do you know what the exemption is?

[RickOnt]

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.

Related links
What you can bring home to Canada
 
Date modified: 2025-04-09
About this site
Travel and tourism
Contact us
Government of Canada
All contacts
Departments and agencies
About government
Themes and topics
Jobs
Immigration and citizenship
Travel and tourism
Business
Benefits
Health
Taxes
Environment and natural resources
National security and defence
Culture, history and sport
Policing, justice and emergencies
Transport and infrastructure
Canada and the world
Money and finance
Science and innovation
Indigenous peoples
Veterans and military
Youth
Government of Canada CorporateSocial media Mobile applications About Canada.caTerms and conditions Privacy

[RickOnt]

Returning after 48 hours or more
You can claim goods worth up to CAN$800 without paying any duty and taxes.

[Chazz]

Thanks Rick for all the info.  I was hoping to see what the exemption for US citizens would be.

[T-Bone]

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.