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Duty Free Shopping
Duty Free shopping is a great way for travelers to purchase gifts and last minute travel needs prior to leaving the country. Before leaving Canada travelers have the opportunity to shop at the Peace Bridge Duty Free and before leaving the United States travelers can shop at the Duty Free Americas. Both stores offer travelers currency exchange services and premium merchandise, including liquor, beer, and tobacco, at great prices.
What are the benefits of Duty Free shopping?
When you shop at either of the Duty Free stores you shop “tax and Duty Free” – meaning you do not have to pay any sales tax (or VAT) and as long as you are within your personal exemption allowance you won’t pay duty. If you exceed your personal exemption allowance, you may be assessed duty by Customs prior to entering the country.
What are the requirements to be eligible to shop at a Duty Free store?
- You must be leaving the country you are shopping in and,
- You must take the items you purchase with you into the country you are traveling to.
You cannot re-enter the country you are shopping in with items you purchase at that Duty Free store unless you have met the length of stay requirements outside of the country mandated by Customs.
Fort Erie, Ontario-Peace Bridge Duty Free
Buffalo, New York-Duty Free Americas
Customs Exemptions and Duty Free Allowances:
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Canadian Citizens
or Residents
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TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES |
Length of stay in U.S. |
Amount Allowed in US$ |
Alcohol Allowances |
Tobacco Allowances |
Frequency of Allowances |
Any Trip |
Unlimited amount of personal effects
(Must be owned by the non-resident, must be in their possession, cannot be a gift, or intended for sale) |
1 liter of alcohol
(Must be for personal consumption)
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200 cigarettes, or 50 non-Cuban cigars, or 2 kilos of tobacco or a proportionate amount of each
(Must be for personal use)
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Daily
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As Gifts on Any Trip
(Intended stay must be at least 72 hours) |
$100 worth of gifts |
No alcohol for gifts |
100 non-Cuban cigars as a gift but no other tobacco |
Once every 6 months
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RETURNING TO CANADA |
Length of stay in U.S. |
Amount Allowed in CAD$ |
Alcohol Allowances |
Tobacco Allowances |
Frequency of Allowances |
After 24 hours |
$50 |
Any purchase of alcohol may be subject to duties and taxes |
Any purchase of tobacco may be subject to duties and taxes |
Daily |
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After 48 hours |
$400 |
1.5 litres of wine or 1.14 litres of liquor, or a total of 1.14 litres of wine and liquor, or 1 case of beer |
200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks |
No limit on the amount of times you can use this exemption per year |
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After 7 days |
$750 |
1.5 litres of wine or 1.14 litres of liquor, or a total of 1.14 litres of wine and liquor, or 1 case of beer |
200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of tobacco, and 200 tobacco sticks |
No limit on the amount of times you can use this exemption per year |
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TRAVELING TO CANADA |
Absence from the U.S. |
Amount Allowed in CAD$ |
Alcohol Allowances |
Tobacco Allowances |
Frequency of Allowances |
No Minimum Stay |
Unlimited amount of personal effects
(Must be owned by the non-resident, must be in their possession, cannot be a gift, or intended for sale) |
1.5 litres of wine or 1.14 litres of liquor, or a total of 1.14 litres of wine and liquor, or 1 case of beer
(Must be for personal consumption)
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200 cigarettes,
50 cigars, 200 grams of tobacco, and 200 tobacco sticks
(Must be for personal use) |
Daily |
As Gifts on Any Trip |
$60 worth of gifts |
No alcohol for gifts |
No tobacco for gifts |
Daily |
RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES |
Absence from the U.S. |
Amount Allowed in US$ |
Alcohol Allowances |
Tobacco Allowances |
Frequency of Allowances |
Under 48 hours |
$200 (worth of dutiable goods)
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150 ml (4 oz) of alcoholic beverages or alcoholic perfume |
50 cigarettes and 10 non-Cuban cigars
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Daily |
After 48 hours |
$800 (worth of dutiable goods)
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1 liter of liquor |
200 cigarettes and 100 non-Cuban cigars |
Once every 30 days |
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