Last time we went to US and came back, we returned within 24 hours and had goods worth US 75 or so, which we declared. We were not taxed. We were also not asked how many hours or days we were absent from Canada. I was wondering how do they they know your absence. Do they track it through your passport number?
The rules say:
"After each absence of 24 hours or more, you can claim up to CAN$50 worth of goods without paying any duties." Also, "...You must have the goods with you when you arrive."
"After each absence of 48 hours or more, you can claim up to CAN$400 worth of goods without paying any duties." Also, "...You must have the goods with you when you arrive."
Quote:
Originally posted by lak_canada
Last time we went to US and came back, we returned within 24 hours and had goods worth US 75 or so, which we declared. We were not taxed. We were also not asked how many hours or days we were absent from Canada. I was wondering how do they they know your absence. Do they track it through your passport number?
The rules say:
"After each absence of 24 hours or more, you can claim up to CAN$50 worth of goods without paying any duties." Also, "...You must have the goods with you when you arrive."
"After each absence of 48 hours or more, you can claim up to CAN$400 worth of goods without paying any duties." Also, "...You must have the goods with you when you arrive."
My buddy who lives at Niagara Fall told me that if you are travelling by car, your car number is recorded by camera on border. Both border agencies have access to this data base.
There are other ways to track. We went to Boston. While coming back we are asked to present any fuel receipt of earlier dates as we were away for more than 7 days. We had that and presented the receipt.
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 28-07-10 16:28:35
In most cases, they'll accept your words. However, I am aware that your vehicle's license plates get tracked. Not just the plates, but also the dates the plates crossed the border. So, if they really have time and inclination to dig up your history, that's one way of doing it.
Canada is lax when it comes to swiping the passport at the border. However, if they do, they can pull up any history if anything has been documented against that passport. Whether it means tracking the entry and exit depends on how well they have documented it during, say, a secondary inspection.
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Dimple2001
How do they track if you are using rental cars ? Last time I showed PR card and not sure if they swiped.
Location: Western Hemisphere
Posted on: 06-08-10 16:52:23
Quote:
Originally posted by cdn_001
How do they track if you are using rental cars ? Last time I showed PR card and not sure if they swiped.
Rental car enters US - entry of the plate recorded.
Rental car returns to Canada - entry of plate recorded.
The difference is the number of days you have been absent from Canada.
Unless the motive is something else and use one rental one way and drive another one on the way back...then sure it's difficult to trace.
As I said before, there is a level of trust expected from all parties concerned and based on that, most times, our words are accepted as true unless they sense some anamolies.
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Dimple2001
Thanks Dimple.
