http://www.dutyfreecanada.com/customs-allowances/

Am I being silly ?

This says to me I cannot bring anything back unless I have been there for 24 hours? We were planning a trip tomorrow just to browse but may end up buying a couple of items but don't want to get in trouble as it will only be a couple of hours!

You are. You can bring as much as you like back (unless prohibited items), you will just pay the tax and duty on it if any.

ALso depends on how much you buy and what mood the CBSA person is in when you come back thru!

I have been for a few hours and spent $150 and they havent batted an eyelid . . . others have got thru with more, others have to pay all relevant taxes and duties!

Groceries seem to be ok

thats cos most groceries are not taxed in Canada.....any item that has not been touched does not get taxed.....for instance if u buy a melon its not taxed, if u buy a chopped up melon in a fruit tray u will be taxed

you have certain limits on food though. I think it's $20 of Dairy per person etc. All goods made in the US or Mexico are free of duty taxes and you'll just pay Provincial tax.

Well we went today and came back spent $200 (not on food) and didnt get charged anything yippee

[quote=Monique_in_Canada;10306870for instance if u buy a melon its not taxed, if u buy a chopped up melon in a fruit tray u will be taxed[/quote]

Try bringing a melon back across the border!

We had officers that didn't even want tax for a bottle of wine and others that were moaning that we bought some $14 headphones
Over all we never had problems.

I've heard of people wearing clothes that they intend to throw away, and then getting changed into their new clothes before they come back.

We have seen it all
Layers on layers of clothing, brand new runners with no wear on soles,
stuffing cigarettes into Canadian marked packages, vodka in the washer fluid bottle, brand new tires etc etc.
Some get caught others dont all for the sake of saving approx $12 to $15 on every hundred they have spent if no personal exemptions.
If you get caught then dont bitch and moan just accept any penalties levelled and get on with your day rather than abusing them for doing their job.

I've never done it, I'm way too scared..lol! We rarely go over at all anyway, maybe once we get our citizenship....

Well...Taking the headphone out of the package, would have prevented that "moaning" no?

Yes it would have done. Shame they saw them on the grocery bill receipt when they asked to view it.

Putting it on a seperate bill would have ' prevented that "moaning" ', but I forgot.

To be honest we go over once a month and just declare everything, just forgot about the headphones. Most of the time we just get our passports back and a friendly "have a nice day". Twice we had to pay but we expected that anyways. Once for booze and once for a bunkbed and matresses. Still loads cheaper than here. And before anybody says anything, we still spend plenty of $$$ here, too.

I was using it as an example...but not sure wot u mean....my hubby brings at least one home weekly!!!