The Canadian government has implemented 25 percent duties on specific products coming from the United States. This might impact Canadians who have trips planned involving cross-border travel over the upcoming Victoria Day holiday weekend. When they return home, the CBSA stated that this policy will be enforced. a news release Canadians ought to be ready to disclose "all items you possess when entering Canada," and those who drive must account for everything within their vehicles.
This April, here’s how many Americans moved to Canada compared to the previous year.
The extended weekend arrives as tensions between Canada and U.S. remain high . The ongoing trade war has led to some changes for travellers, including tariffs being imposed on American goods being brought into Canada.
Here’s what to know.
What is a surtax?
A surtax is a tax imposed on top of another tax. The CBSA is collecting the tariffs in the form of a surtax, the agency said .
The tariff amount represents a percentage of the 'duty value' of the goods prior to GST and HST," as stated by CBSA. Additionally, "the surtax is determined by taking this duty value and multiplying it by twenty-five percent.
For instance, consider an item from the United States valued at $50 for duties. This amount would be increased by 25 percent, resulting in an additional charge of $12.50. Hence, the overall supplementary tax in this scenario would be $12.50.
What methods are being used to collect the surtax on American products at the Canadian border?
According to the CBSA, the surtax is imposed when entering Canada. Both returning residents and visitors must pay the "relevant tariffs, duties, and taxes owed on U.S.-purchased items upon arrival in Canada."
This additional tax applies solely to items surpassing your limit. personal exemptions limit for Canadian residents, according to the CBSA press release. This encompasses groceries.
The duration of your time away from Canada dictates whether you qualify for an exemption and how much merchandise you can import without having to pay duties and taxes," according to the CBSA. "To make use of this exemption, you have to remain out of Canada for a minimum of 24 hours. These personal exemptions do not extend to individuals who shop across the border on the same day.
For travelers from abroad, such as those coming from America, items that tourists bring in are bringing in briefly for private use Items like vehicles, baggage, and personal possessions aren’t subject to duties. At the border, an official from CBSA will evaluate the belongings brought in by the traveler according to their guidelines. Travelers arriving internationally can import personal effects deemed "reasonable in amount" based on how long they plan to remain in the country.
"If an officer concludes that the items exceed a reasonable amount for your planned visit, you can still import them; however, you'll be required to pay any applicable duties, taxes, and tariffs," according to CBSA.
The tariffs do not substitute the GST/HST or any relevant duties and will be included in the taxable value, according to the CBSA. Separate thresholds apply specifically to goods such as alcohol, tobacco, meats, and dairy products.
Do some Canadian residents have exceptions from surtaxes?
Certainly. Residents of Campobello Island, New Brunswick, have an exception due to their remote location. The island is reachable from the United States solely via ferry during summertime or through a bridge throughout the entire year. If these residents purchase items within the U.S., provided they return home in under 24 hours with said goods directly in their possession and intend them for personal or domestic use, such purchases will not incur tariffs.
Which products will be subject to tariffs when crossing into Canada at the border?
The national administration has offered a full list of American goods for which the tariffs are applicable when purchased online This spans from edibles like tomatoes all the way to visual art pieces including paintings or illustrations.
The tariffs at the border pertain to "both new and used items labeled as Made in the U.S., produced in the U.S., or coming from the U.S., along with products that do not have any indication of their country of origin."
Visitors must continue paying duties on American products received via post or delivery services. Additionally, they have to settle these fees for items staying within Canada, such as presents typically free of charge and taxes under CAD 60, along with those merely passing through en route to another nation or entering briefly for display purposes.
The responsibility to prove that the goods do not come from the U.S. rests with the individual importing them into Canada," stated CBSA. "Items bought in the U.S. but originally produced elsewhere are not subject to these duties (such as clothes labeled 'Made in Italy,' for instance, would be excluded). Duties will be applied if there’s no indication that the products originated outside the U.S.
How many travelers visited Canada during the Victoria Day long weekend last year?
Last year, CBSA reported that they greeted 93.4 million travelers entering Canada over the Victoria Day period. This surge in traveler numbers resulted in an uptick in illicit substances, weaponry, and guns seized at the borders.
The organization reported that they prevented 34,400 kilograms of illicit substances from entering the nation during the extended holiday period in 2024, along with confiscating 17,200 weapons and 930 firearms.
Before this extended holiday, CBSA stated that they focus on efficiently handling travelers through airports and borders "while not sacrificing safety and security."
"If you experience delays at the border, this is probably due to our officers conducting inspections, confiscating substances like narcotics and weapons, as well as recovering stolen vehicles, or stopping potential threats from coming into Canada," according to CBSA.
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