Sep
We're a young couple from Hamilton, we're anticipating our first baby, and baby items are 30-50% less in the U.S., so my husband and I want to cross the border and do some shopping in an outlet mall, then head back. I comprehend technically I'm not allowed to bring anything back without duty since we won't even be there for 24 hours. So my question is:
How much duty are they going to charge us? State, for example, we spent $700 (it would just be on baby furniture, like a crib, goods like a baby monitor, and baby clothes- that's it.)
Would they charge us, state, 30% duty? Or 10% duty plus 15% taxes? I’ve no idea and I can't seem to find a clear answer on the web. This is something I must know, because if it is going to be the same price here once everything is considered, I might as well purchase here!
I have tried the CBSA website and it hasn't been very helpful.
Thank you 
Answer:
congrats. my daughter is due in Feb…
One thing about baby items in the US is their standards are different (and lower) than ours for cribs, playpens and car seats. mobiles and such. I would really check into those before buying that sort of thing there. There's an awful of good used stuff locally and if its of recent model with a disinfection good as new and cheap as most parents want to ditch that stuff asap. You only need it for a while. (thankfully)
Basically everything you bring in is charged GST 5% for sure. Without a 48 hour stay everything is subject to duty but that duty varies but averages in the 10-15% range plus the 6% loss on the dollar right now…
any item there add on 20-25% and you'll not be far off.
Answer:
I live in the US and have no idea what you are talking about as far as the duty but I have a friend that lives in Toronto and goes shopping here all the time and has never mentioned a duty to me…
Answer:
you're allowed to bring in $200. I paid an extra $50 on $500 buys.So it's still cheaper than Canada.
Answer:
Duties vary, depending on what the item is and where it was made. For example, there's no duty on stuff made in America, if you can find any.
As well the customs agents don't always collect duties. I find that you can declare up to $150 worth of stuff without being in the U.S. for 24 hours, and they'll usually let you through. If they stopped everyone and made them pay duty the whole system would break down on a busy day.
With over $700 though, they're probably going to single you out to pay duty.
There is speak that the customs agents might do some kind of work-to-rule thing where they stop collecting duty to protest their lack of a new contract, so clearly that would be a good time to go over the border.
This website has a bit more information:
http://www.crossbordershopping.ca/conten…
Answer:
to be honest if they search you fine you'll have to pay some cash i think 20% including tax for $700 i wouldn't worry though when they ask if you’ve anything to declare just state no as long as you aren't mexican smuggling marijuana you should be fine and they wont search you