What can I bring from USA to Vancouver “tax-free”?
Technically you’re not allowed to bring anything in duty-free if you haven’t been out of the country for a full day. But, most things manufactured within North America are exempt, as are most electronics. Many kinds of fruits and vegetables cannot enter Canada, so if you’re not sure, Shore says don’t try to bring it back. Weapons and replica weapons, even lighters that look like weapons, are also banned.She says the most important thing to do when speaking with a border officer is to be honest, and that you can ask questions if you’re not sure about something. There is a toll free line at 1-800-461-9999 that you can call if you have any questions about items. Pressing zero twice during office hours will connect you directly to a border services officer. You can also get information at www.cbsa.bc.ca.
There’s no magic trick that will make the border lineups vanish, but there are ways to speed things up. Paula Shore with Canada Border Services says having your receipts and I-D that proves your citizenship ready to go is crucial. “We estimate it takes an additional 2 minutes to get someone out of a car and into the trunk to get their purse or their receipts fished out of whatever bag its in.” Multiply that by thousands of cross-border shoppers, and you have a problem.
