Cross Boarding Shopping

[t's_mama]

I have a question about bringing stuff home across the boarder.

When you cross back into Canada, you are usually asked how much you spent. What if while you are in the US you do some 'extreme couponing US style' and don't spend much but have a lot of stuff that you are bringing home. How does that work?

Is the allowable $ based on how much you actually spend? I don't want to think I am saving a lot only to have to pay duty on everything.

[caroman]

it's how much you actually spent. remember coupons are a method of payment.

[Sally888]

How much you actually spent, so your reciept will show how much you paid.

Always keep receipts handy

[bargain_hunter_lola]

Yep, the ask you the total amount you spent. Sometimes they ask for your receipts to verify or if they want they may make you pay taxes, so make sure you keep all your receipts handy.

I was in the US just last week and I spent $250 and my mom spent $300 and the guy let us go through no problems.

[Ciel]

http://www.beaware.gc.ca/english/brirape.shtml#a1

It's always worthwhile to read the list of accepted and unaccepted food items in advance and adjust your purchases accordingly.

[robert12]

Whatever will be there in your home depends on how much you spend.

[JadeDragon]

We shop for groceries in the States occasionally. They ask what we bought - I say x (total paid) in groceries and we have never been asked to pay anything because there is little to no tax on groceries. We never buy alcohol or tobacco.