Canadian/US customs and glorious beer...

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by WaterAndBone, Jul 23, 2017.

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  1. WaterAndBone

    WaterAndBone Initiate (0) Jul 23, 2017

    Hello all,

    My wife and I are on a trip in New Hampshire and decided to go up into Vermont to visit Alchemist Brewing and Hill Farmstead. We bought some beer... for us, and family, and friends (about a case of 16oz cans) and now look to bring it home in checked luggage. Here's the rub. We are traveling: Boston>Toronto>Vancouver>then a train to Bellingham, WA, where we live. How do we deal with customs? We've paid US taxes at the point of sale. This beer will not be consumed in Canada. What do we do? Both Canadian and US customs agents will ask if we have anything to declare...
     
    #1 WaterAndBone, Jul 23, 2017
  2. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Drink it all on the train.
     
    #2 bbtkd, Jul 23, 2017
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  3. WaterAndBone

    WaterAndBone Initiate (0) Jul 23, 2017

    Hmmm... The train is last, i.e. after customs...
    There may or may not be beer to drink. We may or may not be in customs jail whilst the agents wantonly swill our Heady Topper...
     
    #3 WaterAndBone, Jul 23, 2017
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  4. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    You're allowed to bring a certain amount, keep your receipts, and yeah have some of those goodies while you're here!

    Simply say you have some beer when you get to the border. Don't lie.

    How much are you bringing? It depends how long you have been in the United States as to how much you can bring back, meaning you can bring back a little more if you stay longer. You should also have proof of when you entered the US for this part, like a receipt for something you bought shortly after.

    If you don't feel like paying a bunch of taxes on the stuff, then consume it before you get to Toronto.

    Pretty simple.
     
    #4 Smakawhat, Jul 23, 2017
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  5. WaterAndBone

    WaterAndBone Initiate (0) Jul 23, 2017

    All of this is good to know. We've been in NH for 3 weeks, and we'll be bringing back a case (24) of 16oz cans. We have reciepts for the beer and have used passports for international entry and exit.

    As delicious as it would be, not going to be drinking beer bought for friends and family.
     
    #5 WaterAndBone, Jul 23, 2017
  6. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    When I used to travel from Michigan to Boston I would cut across Canada from Detroit to Buffalo. I have had two cases of beer with me when traveling in both directions without any issue. The customs agents would ask if I had any alcoholic beverages or other taxable items, and I was always up front with them. Never had any of them want to see it or ask for receipts, etc. Just be honest with them and you should be okay for only one case.

    P.S. Welcome to the BA site.
     
    #6 PapaGoose03, Jul 23, 2017
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  7. scream

    scream Initiate (0) Dec 6, 2014 Wisconsin
    In Memoriam

    Used to go to N orthern Ontario fly-in fishing in the past. Tell them what you have and maybe you will pay duty and maybe not. Also tell them your travel plans and your ultimate destination-might help
     
    #7 scream, Jul 23, 2017
  8. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    one case is nothing, just mention that you have it and I think that's ironically about the limit per person... so if you are even travelling with someone it's less of a problem cause it can be attributed to one person, and another person could claim something else meaning technically you can bring in more.

    It's 8.5 litres of beer for max, after that you're paying tax, assuming the officers want to bother with you...

    https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/bringing-to-canada/personal-exemptions-mini-guide
     
    #8 Smakawhat, Jul 23, 2017
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  9. dcotom

    dcotom Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,637) Aug 4, 2014 Iowa
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    According to ezbordercrossing.com, you shouldn't have any trouble at all. You can each take 24 cans or bottles of beer into Canada duty-free. I'd save the purchase receipts for re-entry into the US, just so you can prove you didn't buy the stuff in Canada. This may not be an issue for you anyway, unless you decide to bring back a bunch of Canadian beer.
     
    #9 dcotom, Jul 23, 2017
    PapaGoose03 likes this.
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