Duty-Free Allowances Made Simple
Know exactly how much you can bring back duty & tax free based on the length of your trip.
How much can I take across the border?
Canadians and Americans are allowed to bring as much as they like when they cross the border. However, only a portion of what is brought into the U.S. is considered free of taxes and duties. The portion that is tax and duty free is called a customs allowance.
On June 1st, 2012 the Canadian Duty Free allowances were increased. The updated amounts have been reflected in the chart below.
Canadians visiting the US
To find out your customs allowance.
U.S. Entry Allowance (Personal Use)
Anytime exemption for personal consumption (subject to state rules).
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars (non-Cuban) OR 2 kg manufactured tobacco
- Alcohol: 1 litre wine, liquor, beer, or ale
Canada Return (24–48 Hours Trip)
Short trip personal exemption when returning to Canada.
- $200 CAD personal exemption.
- No duty-free tobacco or alcohol allowance included
Canada Return (After 48 Hours)
Standard duty-free allowance for travelers returning after 48 hours.
- Up to $800 CAD duty-free goods.
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes OR 50 cigars OR 200 tobacco sticks OR 200g manufactured tobacco.
- Alcohol: 1.5L wine OR 1.14L liquor OR 24 × 355ml beer/ale (8.5L)
Canada Return (After 72 Hours – Every 6 Months)
Higher exemption for longer trips (eligible once every 6 months).
- Up to $100 USD worth of gifts (duty-free)
- May include 100 non-Cuban cigars.
- Alcohol not included.
- Do not wrap gifts until customs inspection
Between 24 and 48 hours
$200.00 USD per person. This includes:
- 50 cigarettes.
- 10 cigars (non-Cuban)
- 150 milliliters (5 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or 150 milliliters
After 48 hours
$800.00 USD per person. This is a monthly exemption. Family members can combine their $800 per person monthly import privileges. You can import:
- 1 litre (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages or
- 1 case of beer (24 bottles)
- Up to 200 cigarettes
- 100 cigars (non-Cuban)
Americans returning to the US
To find out your customs allowance.
How much tax and duty will I be charged if I go over my customs allowance?
You may have to pay taxes and duties on purchases over and above the customs allowance. This will be calculated by a Customs official after you declare.
Upon entering the U.S., you may be asked to pay, on average, the following amounts for products over your customs allowance:
- US $2 – $3 per bottle of liquor, on average
- US $1.30 per case of beer, on average
- US $10.03 per carton of cigarettes, on average
Products other than alcohol and tobacco may also require a duty payment.
If you are Canadian, when you return to Canada you may be asked to pay the regular taxes and duties on the value of items over your customs allowance. Be aware that many items qualify for reduced or zero duty.
What is an anytime personal exemption?
Canadians can bring 1L of alcohol (1L of spirits, wine and beer) and some tobacco into the U.S. regardless of the duration of the stay in the U.S., so long as the alcohol and tobacco is for personal use.