Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

[ehh]

I know we have quite a few guys on here from the northern neighboring country. Maybe one of you can assist.

I'm driving to Canada in the near future and trying to figure out how the duty free shops work. Not the quantities and all that, just the procedure. When you're flying it's an obvious procedure but I've got a few questions about driving and duty free.

• Do I go through customs and then have access to the duty free shop in some sort of neutral zone?
• When I'm crossing the border is there just one duty free shop or do I have a choice?
• If I'm going from the US to Canada there's one US store I can stop in? Or do I get to chose between a US store or a Canadian store? I'm guessing it's run by the country I'm existing since the whole exportation thing comes into play.
• Is there a big price difference between stopping at a Canadian duty free shop vs an American one?

My goal is get one bottle of scotch and some cigars while I'm up there for the week. Should I get this at the duty free shop because of the discount? Or buy it in the US and just "import" it (since booze is so much more expensive in Canada)?

If I want a few bottles of scotches to bring home (I can apparently bring $800 of stuff back into the country) I'm guessing I should stop at the duty free shop on my way home, correct?

I'll likely be crossing on I-87 in upstate NY, not that I believe that makes a difference.

Thanks!

[jb12780]

Are you trying to bring Cubans back?

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[ehh]

Re: Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

Nope. Not worth the risk.

[Madman55]

Re: Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

I've never stopped at duty free from US to Canada, but have stopped going from Canada to US.

-No. the duty free shop (at least at the crossing I use) is right before you get to customs. Once you leave duty free, you get into the line for customs.
-Again, at the crossing I use there is only one shop.
-Going from US to Canada you would stop at a US duty free, going from Canada to US is Canadian duty free.
-Not sure about a price difference, as I've never stopped at a US Duty Free. Although I'm assuming they must be roughly the same, because when you stop at the Canadian duty free you pay considerably less than you would normally in Canada.

[55]

Re: Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

Nope. Not worth the risk.

What risk? It is incredibly easy. Granted, I despise tobacco these days but when I was younger we used to bring Cubans back all the time. It is as simple as this:

1) While in Canada, purchase the Cuban cigars of your choice.

2) Remove the Cuban bands from said cigars.

3) Replace the Cuban bands with bands from similarly sized Dominican cigars.

4) Mail the Cuban bands to yourself before going back home.

5) Go back home to the US and declare your "Dominican" cigars if you wish.

6) Check your mail when you get home.

7) Profit.

[mgoblue]

Re: Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

What risk? It is incredibly easy. Granted, I despise tobacco these days but when I was younger we used to bring Cubans back all the time. It is as simple as this:

1) While in Canada, purchase the Cuban cigars of your choice.

2) Remove the Cuban bands from said cigars.

3) Replace the Cuban bands with bands from similarly sized Dominican cigars.

4) Mail the Cuban bands to yourself before going back home.

5) Go back home to the US and declare your "Dominican" cigars if you wish.

6) Check your mail when you get home.

7) Profit.

When I was younger you could get into Canada without a birth certificate or passport....

Things are different now, not sure I'd want to risk the prison time or whatever for some Cuban cigars.

Side question: Are they really that much better, or is it just because they're forbidden fruit?

[55]

Re: Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

Things are different now, not sure I'd want to risk the prison time or whatever for some Cuban cigars.

It's just a fine and no jail time (unless you're smuggling like 50K+ worth) and besides, with the Dominican labels on them they aren't going to think twice. Especially if it is just a few boxes. It's not like they have experts from Cigar Afficianado magazine at the border waiting to taste test them. They seriously don't give a ****.

[mgoblue]

Re: Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

It's just a fine and no jail time (unless you're smuggling like 50K+ worth) and besides, with the Dominican labels on them they aren't going to think twice. Especially if it is just a few boxes. It's not like they have experts from Cigar Afficianado magazine at the border waiting to taste test them. They seriously don't give a ****.

Ahhh, that's not bad. I've just watched too much "Locked Up Abroad" where people smuggle stuff and get stuck in super sketchy prisons lol

[Redacted01]

Re: Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

Ahhh, that's not bad. I've just watched too much "Locked Up Abroad" where people smuggle stuff and get stuck in super sketchy prisons lol

It's Canada. Worst case you'd have to eat poutine nightly, and that's hardly punishment.

[Money99]

Re: Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

I've never stopped at duty free from US to Canada, but have stopped going from Canada to US.

-No. the duty free shop (at least at the crossing I use) is right before you get to customs. Once you leave duty free, you get into the line for customs.
-Again, at the crossing I use there is only one shop.
-Going from US to Canada you would stop at a US duty free, going from Canada to US is Canadian duty free.
-Not sure about a price difference, as I've never stopped at a US Duty Free. Although I'm assuming they must be roughly the same, because when you stop at the Canadian duty free you pay considerably less than you would normally in Canada.

That's precisely how it is going from US to Canada.
And I'm nearly positive the prices are the same.

After purchasing the booze you have to declare any tobacco products or alcohol with the booth jockey.
If you're stay is beyond 48 hours, you don't have to pay any duty on the way back and you're allowed upwards of 40oz of booze per adult in the car.

Hope that helps!

[jb12780]

Re: Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

They also won't bust your chops too hard because you are presumably older. They give the college age kids a real hard time. I go to Plattsburgh which is right on the border.

[jb12780]

Re: Canadian OSers - questions about duty free shops when driving across the border

It's Canada. Worst case you'd have to eat poutine nightly, and that's hardly punishment.

Poutine is awesome drunk food.