CANADA CUSTOMS & DUTY
(Customs Declaration Card)
GENERAL DUTY & TAX EXEMPTIONS
If you are absent from Canada for more than seven (7) days, residents qualify for a personal duty and tax exemption on purchases up to $800 Canadian (about $9600 pesos). You can of course purchase more than $800, but you will be required to declare and itemize every item you purchased and pay duty & taxes on any amount over the $800. If you decide to do this, you need to keep receipts on all items purchased. This is always difficult, as may shops and vendors in Mexico do not issue receipts. Exemptions cannot be shared between persons; Say you bought a gift for $950 and your wife's total purchases were only $500, you would have to pay duty & tax on $150 even thought your wife is $300 under her exemption. It is better to buy small value gifts, as the exemption value is easier to split between persons traveling together. All items declared in each persons $800 exemption must be for that persons personal use. Infants and young children qualify for the exemption if a parent completes a Customs Declaration Form (below) in their child's name for the items for their their use only.
GIFTS
Visitors in Mexico can send gifts to friends or relatives back in Canada duty and tax free if each gift is valued less than $60 Canadian (about $720 pesos), and is packaged separately. Include a gift card in the package to prove to customs that it is a gift. Make sure the gift is under the $60 or else your friend will be obligated to pay regular duty and taxes on the total amount. Gifts cannot be alcohol, tobacco, or any business related items. You have to include these gift amounts under your $800 exemption.
ALCOHOL & TOBACCO
Canadian residents qualify to bring back the following items included in their $800 exemption: 1.5 liters of wine; or 1.14 liters of liquor; or 8.5 liters of beer or ale. 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or cigarillos, 200 tobacco sticks and 200 grams of tobacco. These items must return with you in your hand or carry-on bag.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Canada Customs Web Site
Toll free in Canada: 1.800.461.9999 With-in Mexico: (204)983.3500, (506)636.5064
Canada Border Service Agency Canada Customs, 2265 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, ON. K1G4K3 (613).993.0534