This will indeed challenge a lot of Canadian retailers. We are happy about the increase in amount you can bring back now, and depending on the size of your family, 200 each in a 24hr period is a sweet deal

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/stor...ee-limits.html


We are a short drive to Watertown, and within easy access to Syracuse from there on. Last time we crossed, they didn't even check what we bought, just wanted to see our passports

WE crossed Friday, however just for the day, never have they EVER made us pay on any grocery items....they did this time....first ever and been crossing monthly for a couple of years now. Think making a point, that due to increase on allowance that those of us who day shop will be getting dinged for tax. It wasn't much and that isn't the point just seemed to "coincidental" that it was on the day they have the duty free increase. Not just us either, quite a few cars were being pulled over for grocery items. I don't mind paying the tax but wish they would give us a detailed list on what they are charging it on, so we don't get it again..when I asked they said look it up on our website...I tried but there is no detailed list anywhere....quite annoying. (yes before anyone says it, I know technically we are not to bring anything back if we stay less then 24 hrs, but they are very leniant on grocery items) We are also not far away from Watertown.

The grocery lists of what is or is not subject to taxes can be found on your Provinces website PST/HST regulations and for GST on the CRA website.
We all know that items manufactured in the USA and certain other countries are DUTY free nothing to do with PST/HST or the GST.
If you pay GST, PST/HST normally in Canada when you shop then expect to pay it at the border.

thanks for website, I don't really begrude paying it, oh hell yeah I do lol, but it's not like they stop us all the time. I figure with all the times they have not stopped us, just pay it, smile sweetly say thank you and have a nice day and be on our way...

That will have been the wrong time to go anyway, as they will be eagle-eyed more than ever. I'll give it a couple of months and they will be relaxed somewhat.

The price and variety of grocery is just much better. A typical example is the packed yougurt tubs that come in 12, they have the jumbo sizes I haven't seen here in Ontario, and then there is the bagged chicken wings that are dirt cheap

I live 2 blocks from 2 crossings at Peace Arch. I have not bothered going over but im going to give it a go.

My neighbour goes all the time, for gas and grocery items. He estimates he saves a good 25 - 30 percent.

we never go to the us to shop, can't be bothered. By the time you factor in gas and waiting times at border don't really think it's worth it.

We try not to buy anything in Canada. Of course, in some cases, such as cheese, the product is so much better here that there's no choice.

We don't bother any more. 20 years ago it was worth it, when you could cross in 5 minutes. Lining up for 40 minutes or more to save $10 is not worth the time or gas. Meat, dairy and veggies in the US don't have the same standards of chemical and anti biotic use as in Canada either.

You can't really know the lines then unless you have tried, we rarely wait longer then 5 or 10 mins on either side of the border. We crossed Friday AM, we had 5 min wait then he had to go get his visa....this took another 5 mins. Coming home maybe 10 mins and that inc going into customs to pay the tax. We took our SUV, a bit of gas sucker agreed...but the running shoes I bought for 92 bucks that cost 154 here, plus the other items we purchased saved us alot more then what the gas cost. Others have mentioned the different selections of foods you can get there as well. Many things I cannot get here, I have certain medical conditions and there is a particular herbal med I cannot get in Canada but can get in US and makes my life alot easier to say the least.
So for us it is worth the border crossing,

makes you wonder if the local economy (white rock and south surrey in my case) will suffer. My neighbour goes to the US for everything...grocery items, clothings, kids toys, gas and recently to get new tires put on his car.

I'm sure some border town stores will suffer, but maybe it will make canadian retailers, shippers and businesses think about reducing their profit margin a bit in order to keep business here in Canada. I do buy certain things in my own community, when fruit and veg are in season we buy what we do not produce in our own garden. Couponing is also big in USA and if I can save even more I will print off a few and use them (NOT LIKE THOSE HOARDING EXTREME COUPONERS) another thing canadian businesses could do to help out it's customers. The customer service in this country sucks!

Products in general terms can cost 20% to 25% more here in Canada compared to the U.S., and that's before you add the tax. Obviously there are exceptions. However, until Canadian retailers are in a position to offer value for our Canadian $, then Canadians will continue to spend Millions of $'s south of the border. Me included! And that's before we get into the availability of so many items in the U.S. that are not available in Canada! Simples init?

Are you a runner then? 92 bucks for a pair of shoes, they must have been designer ones :-) I paid 54 bucks for a pair of livestrong Nike during the March break

SUVs are so intimidating :-)

Yes actually I am a runner, hence I need proper running shoes. I get mizuno's and they are not cheap any where, but more expensive in Canada. I went to 3 stores in Canada to buy them and they wanted waaaaay to much..so if I can save 50+ dollars then I will. I get all my running gear stateside.