Bringing Back Goods From New York

What do you need to keep in mind, when bringing back goods from New York? That you can’t bring back too much! You are allowed to bring a maximum of CA$800 worth of duty-free per person. So make sure the total worth of your purchases doesn’t exceed this amount. It doesn’t matter if you bought a designer coat at Macy’s or bought electronics and gadgets in New York, stay below CA$800, to avoid trouble. You should have all your receipts readily available. Note: this amount only applies when you’re absent for 48 hours or more.

What if I go Over my Allowance?

If a single item is worth more than your allowance, you’ll have to pay duty or import VAT on its full value, not just the value above the allowance. If you bring in more than the exempt allowance of alcohol or tobacco, you will be required to pay the applicable duties and taxes so keep that in mind when going shopping in New York.

What can I Bring Back to CA?

You can bring back goods such as (designer) clothing, electronics and gadgets, shoes, accessories, bags and jewellery, perfume, toys and souvenirs. As long as the total is a maximum of CA$800, you don’t have to pay duty and/or VAT. You can also bring food, alcohol and tobacco, but the amount you can bring back to Canada is limited.

You are not allowed to bring any fresh fruit and vegetables or dog or cat food containing beef or lamb products in your suitcase. Avoid bringing back banned goods such as souvenirs made from endangered animal products.

You are allowed to bring the following:

🥪 Food

You are required to properly declare any meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, animals or animal products you bring into the country. This includes end-user products made from plant or animal matter. Packages must have identifying marks, indicating what the product is.

You can bring the following food products into Canada:

• Fruits and vegetables, including herbs (dried or fresh): up to 15 packages per person, but not more than 250 kg
  • excluding potatoes: one commercially packaged bag up to 4 kg of US number 1 potatoes per person
• Spices, tea, coffee, condiments
• Baked goods, candies, etc: up to 20 kg p.p., but no goods containing meat
• Fish and seafood
• Meat and poultry: up to 20 kg p.p.
• Dairy products: up to 20 kg p.p.

There are, however, restrictions on these items of food: they must be free from disease and pesticide and they must only be for your own use. Because pest and disease situations are constantly changing, these requirements may be adjusted at any time.

🍾 Alcohol

How much you can bring back to Canada depends on the type of drink:

• 8.5 litres of beer OR
• 1.5 litres of wine (not sparkling) OR
• 1.14 litres of alcoholic beverages

🚬 Tobacco

You can bring in one from the following:

• 200 cigarettes
• 50 cigars
• 200 grams of manufactured tobacco
• 200 tobacco sticks

🔋 Lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are often used as built-in batteries in electronics like phones, laptops, and cameras. Of course, you are allowed to bring small consumer electronics. And as long as they have a lithium battery up to 100 Wh, they can typically travel in either carry-on or checked luggage, though carry-on is recommended. If you put them in your checked baggage, they need to be completely switched off.

Certain electronic devices with lithium-ion batteries, such as e-cigarettes, must always be carried in your carry-on luggage and are prohibited in checked bags.

🔌 Power banks

Power banks also contain a lithium-ion battery. There are specific international regulations for carrying a power bank on airplanes:

• You can bring two power banks per person.
• Together, these should have a maximum capacity of 27.000 mAh (100Wh).
• You have to bring them in your carry-on luggage.
• You’ll probably have to take them out at the security check.

If you want to bring a power bank with a larger capacity, it’s best to check the regulations of your airline, as policies can vary.