Now, this sounds like a headline you would read on “The Onion” or a fake news website. This is real!
Some American neighbors from Bellingham, Washington are a bit unhappy with the large number of Canadian shoppers in their community, so they created a Facebook page to complain about needing “Americans Only” shopping time.
This page was taken down by the creator (perhaps due to the negative publicity), but being a current Costco member (we will not be extending our membership for next year), I can testify that lines are outrageous at this particular store.
Here are some of the problems with shopping across the border:
1. Insane wait times for shopping.
I enjoy grocery shopping but I do not enjoy major lines (that is why when we shop at Costco we shop during off-peak hours).
If you do plan to shop across the border, try alternative stores like Fred Meyer or Safeway or Albertsons. They all have great deals and take coupons.
2. The savings are not worth it.
Honestly, all dairy products are usually cheaper in the United States and we buy cheese in the United States at nearly 50% prices in Canada however, if you are planning a trip to the United States and happen to purchase some on the way back that is one thing but making a special trip may not be worth it when you consider border lineups and the travel time.
Here are some sample price savings:
- A jug of milk at the Downtown Vancouver Costco is listed for $4.60, while the equivalent at the Bellingham Costco is $2.50.
- A 1 kg block of cheese is $13 in Vancouver but $4 cheaper in Bellingham.
- A 230-count case of Huggies diapers is $48.99 and about $10 cheaper south of the border.
What is your time worth?
3. The products are all different
What you buy in Canada is different in the United States, the standards for many products are different. Did you know that even if you find an unbelievable deal on a car seat, you would not be able to leave the hospital (must be CSA certified).
This goes for their standards of meat, and dairy (buyer beware). Good luck trying to return a product back to a store in the United States (food or grocery).
In saying some of the negatives, I still enjoy shopping down there (when we travel), due to the different products available that we can’t purchase in Canada.
Has anyone had any battles in the United States shopping?
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26 Comments
If the shoe were on the other foot, Canadians would be expected to shut up and take the long line-ups from the Americans. We would, because we would just be thankful for the $$ added to our local economy. Such is life. Some things never change. And I DO shop at the Bellingham Costco. It’s not THAT bad. What I would like to do, however, is find sources for American coupons. I wouldn’t mind trying my hand at couponing down in the States! Any suggestions? Thanks!
Leslie,
I recommend visiting http://www.thriftynorthwestmom.com/ (shows deals all around the Pacific Northwest). I would recommend going to Fred Meyer as they allow stacking but unless you can print a bunch of coupons it may not be worth it.
Always thought it was illegal to transport dairy products across the boarder. They must have changed the laws
I live 5 minutes from the border, I go to Bellingham or Lynden every week sometimes 2 or 3 times. I have never had a problem returning anything in the states. I think there is more of a problem returning items in Canada. Not that long ago I return some hamburger meet to Safeway, because it had discolored and they barely asked any questions. I hate shopping in Canada.
My wife and I shop south of the border (at the Costco mentioned in the article) usually once every 2-3 months. We find that meats, cheeses, and dairy are much cheaper. Dry goods and pop/juices are about the same as in Canada. We regularly spend $300-$500 on food that lasts us 2 months if not more. We never had to pay duty or tax on food and we always declare the full amounts. We also fill up and save about 30% on gas compared to filling up back in Vancouver. Overall we estimate that we save
about $200-$300 everytime we shop. It’s worthwhile for us to do so and we are a family of 3. Imagine how much bigger families save and it’s no wonder so many of us shop south.
Mike,
For most dried goods, I agree that the price difference isn’t worth it. Remember the hassle involved for returning products at time.
Those are some great savings and make for a fun weekend!
Thanks.
The new limits are $200 per person for 24 hours and over and $800 per person for over 48 hours. We have friends living in the states so we tie in a visit with a shop for specific things. The certified organic meats are at least 50% cheaper in the US Costco. We buy everything else in Canada, but some things we are buying in the US and with the Nexus pass, the wait times at the border are minimal.
Hi Jen,
Those limits only apply to items that carry duty (ie not made in the US or Mexico). Under free trade (NAFTA) all US and Mexican made goods are duty free – but remain subject to the GST if applicable. Basic groceries are not subject to duty or GST and therefore are without limit (except on specific quantities limits). See my other post of full details.
Cheers,
Tracy
Jen,
Where do you usually buy your organic meat in the US?
If we lived in the Mainland we would probably get a Nexus pass (I applied for one when I travelled a lot).
Lately I have been doing a lot of research into organic meat in the USA and Canada. Canadian laws are stricter than US laws regarding what constitutes “organic”. In a word, Canada would not allow US organic beef to be labeled organic.
Each country defines this differently, “organic”. When it comes to products though, look for USDA organic (http://organic.about.com/od/achievecertification/a/Steps-To-Usda-Organic-Certification-How-To-Get-Certified-Organic.htm).
i used to work at costco and I do know that they will take back anything that you bought at any of their stores worldwide. We had a few americans come in while on vacation to exchange or get refunds while they were on holidays. There was one that returned his moped that stopped working. i remember one customer coming in with a coffee maker that was 8yrs old. She got a full refund because the clock stopped. The return policies are awesome.
Angela,
That is a great return policy they have – but that took some guts to say “I want to return this coffee maker made in 1999 (or whatever year it was)”!
no kidding! I worked there in 2005 so it was from 1998. it was so stained and well used, I laughed when I saw it in the back. There was one local guy who would buy all his sporting equipment and returned them after each season was over to exchange for the next sport that was coming up. Baseball, hockey, football etc. He was an ex employee who knew how to work the system and it was all legal.
That is terrible that he did this – I believe cases like this is why they are slowly changing their return policies.
why do you assume that companies are changing their return policies due to a minute amount of people abusing the system? Did someone tell you this? In the US, at Costco they have a return policy that is one of if not the easiest in the country. It has been this way at Costco for many many years… but go ahead and make your assumptions.
Trey,
Thanks for your comment – I shouldn’t have used the word “they”, I meant more retailers in general (often their days of purchase for a refund is reduced now or they have exception on “final sale” products).
I think I know this same ex employee
Carol – it was the Prince George BC store. I’ve quite a few employees do this with other items like electronics, household appliances and such. You still get the full price back that you paid for it so they would turn around and upgrade their items for free and sometimes get money back.
I have a question!! Steven how do people do groceries across the border? Wouldn’t you have to wait 48 hours to bring anything across? Or are border agents ignoring groceries? Very curious!!!
~S
Shannon,
Thanks for asking. We are usually out of the country for > 48 hours so I am not sure how people are going for day-trips. Most border agents are really busy and I don’t think they bother for this.
We don’t go for day-trips and I still think it is a tremendous waste of time (even if you go for over 48 hours you can bring back maximum of $20 per person of dairy).
We make short day trips all of the time just to shop and we almost never have to pay duty or taxes. There are certain things that you are not allowed to bring in to Canada or down into the states (ie. No produce with pits, cores or seeds). If you are gone less than 24 hours you are technically responsible to pay tax and possibility duty on what you buy, but they rarely collect if you spend less than $200 and even if they do it is still worthwhile for the cost savings. The tax on groceries is minimal and there is no duty but if you buy something made outside of North America you can pay quite high duty depending on where it is from. If you are unsure about bringing something back you can call canada border services and they are quite helpful.
Thanks for letting us know! We rarely pay duty (usually gone for at least 48 hours).
Hi Sharon & Steven, Please indulge me some clarification.
I live less than 15 minutes from the border and have a NEXUS card. It usually takes less than 5 minutes to go through customs in either direction (ie no wait times). According to the Tariff guide provided by Canada Border Services, basic groceries are duty and tax free; therefore, there is no limit to what groceries you can bring back or a time-in-USA requirement. There are three exceptions… Dairy = $20/pp this includes cream, ice cream, yogurt, cheese, and butter (note that milk is NOT included in the dairy limitation – it is listed separately and without a limit); Eggs = 2 doz/pp; and meat = 20kg/pp including chicken (to a maximum of 10kg), 1 whole turkey (or max 10 kg of parts), beef, and other meats. Fish and seafood is without limitation, as are fresh or frozen fruits, veggies, and juices. Also duty and tax free are medications including vitamins, bread, cakes and pies, other baked goods in pkgs of 6 or more, and canned goods.
I intentionally go grocery shopping in Bellingham every second Saturday. I take a cooler and ice pack. Costco is not worth the time or effort (prices are nearly the same in Canada) but Wal-Mart is a hit with Canadians. In fact, if you show up after about 2:00 they will have sold out of there 6-fridge bank of milk and all back stock as well as all large bricks of cheese and most cheddar.
There are many online sources for US coupons, and Wal-Mart (as well as the stores mentioned by Steve) take them. I’m not a US-style extreme couponer by any means, but using coupons on the items that you would be buying and using in the near future anyway saves.
Oh and as far as the cost of gas? At $1.379/l minimum here at home, I time the trip with under a 1/4 tank; pay $1.08/l and actually get a full tank for under $50… at home it is almost always $60+. Seems to me that even if I breakeven on the fuel, I’m way ahead on the groceries (or the other way around if you prefer); we’ve had a day trip with a number of antique shop and pawn shop stops for entertainment, and a great $4 blueberry pancake that is so big we share 1 and are both full! We never fail to call our Saturday’s in Bellingham a good day!
Blessings and happy saving,
Tracy
Tracy,
Thanks for letting us know that Milk is outside the dairy category (strange).
I didn’t know fish is without limitation, though. We were in Wash. State for the long weekend and bought albacore tuna (fresh) for under $4 lb.
I didn’t know about the large packs of milk at Wal-mart.
We like going to Fred Meyer (they allow stacking) and have great sales on butter and wine :}.
Gas is so worth it to fill up (especially with the way prices fluctuate in the lower mainland). You should use Gas Buddy (always see a major difference between the major stores unlike Canada).
Where is this $4 blueberry pancake?
We don’t mind visiting Bellingham and it is really easy to fly out of.
Hi Tracy
I was reading you post on Tarrif’s and personal exemptions and had a different interpretation on this topic as I think many of us do. If I have read you post correctly, your understanding does make sense, the exemptions read for example 200.00 duty free 24 hrs OR MORE (not less), so if an item(s) were not subject to duty/tax then they would technically not fall under your personal exemption, therefore happy shopping. I also am a frequent WA traveller too and called the CBSA office to clarify as I do not want to risk any flags on my Nexus. I think we are all clear on the exemption limits, however to recap:
24hrs OR LESS NO exmeption
24hrs OR MORE $200.00
7 days OR MORE $800.00
As a result of my call:
All goods MUST be declaried regardless of whether DUTY/TAXES are applicable or not.
As per the CBSA fact sheet
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/060-eng.html
“When you return to Canada, duties and taxes are applicable on all purchases unless you qualify for a personal exemption. Personal exemptions allow you to bring goods of a certain value into the country without paying the regular duties”
This means if you have taken a day trip to shop in the US, you ARE subject to duty/taxes on items that qualify as per the Tarriff guide as there is NO personal exemption under 24hrs. Thankfullly, very rarely do the CBSA officers decide to pull you in to pay duty/taxes on reasonable day shops, mainly because MOST items people are purchasing on day trips happen to be be duty free as you noted Tracy (basic groceries)regardless of your time away and the amount of applicable TAXES on reasonable day shopping trips is likely minimal and not really worth the paperwork/time, however they have the right to make you pay if they want to.
To further clarify, the Tarriff showing DUTY free US manufactured items and limits on certain items (meat/dairy) would only come into use/applied for anyone shopping outside of the stated personal exemptions, again anyone shopping with a stay of less that 24HRS or anyone shopping OVER your allowable exemption in which both cases the Tarriff guide is applied and DUTY/TAXES can be applied to ALL applicable items, which again for alot of us is not much.
To simplify, when making a trip to the US, consider:
1. what your personal exemption will be base on time away
2. based on your exemption for your trip, what items qualify for DUTY/TAXES if you go outside of your exemption amount.
3. Also remember LIMITS on certain items, meat, eggs, cheese, regardless of time away and LIMITS on tabacco/alcohol after 48hrs
If anyone wishes to call and make sure I have this right, I think I do but please, please go right ahead as having a general consensus would be great!! =)