Customs Allowances returning to the US and Canada – Returning Home
This page details customs allowances into the US and Canada as well as limits on tobacco and alcohol.
(Don’t forget to turn in your vehicle decal before leaving the Mexico!) Go here for more information about your Temporary Vehicle Import Permit.
Customs Allowances returning home to the US
US citizens are allowed to bring home from Mexico:
- $800 US in purchases duty free. .
- 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 2 kilos (4.4lbs) of tobacco
- 1 liter of alcohol – wine or spirits
Customs Allowances returning home to Canada
Canadian citizens are allowed to bring home:
- After 24 hours $50 CAN in purchases duty free; after 48 hours – $300 CAN duty free; or after 7 days – $750 duty free.
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 1 kilos of chewing tobacco
- 1.5 liter of alcohol – wine or spirits
Conditions on your personal exemptions
Except for restricted items, you can bring back any amount of goods as long as you are willing to pay the duty and taxes and any provincial or territorial assessments that apply. This rule applies even if you do not qualify for a personal exemption.
You are eligible for a personal exemption if you are
- a Canadian resident returning from a trip outside Canada
- a former resident of Canada returning to live in this country, or
- a temporary resident of Canada returning from a trip outside Canada.
Even young children and infants are entitled to a personal exemption. As a parent or guardian, you can make a declaration on behalf of a child as long as the goods you are declaring are for the child’s use.
You cannot combine your personal exemptions with those of another person or transfer them to someone else.
You cannot combine your 48-hour exemption (CAN$800) with your seven-day exemption (CAN$800) for a total exemption of CAN$1,600.
In general, the goods you include in your personal exemption must be for your personal or household use. These goods include souvenirs, gifts that you received from friends or relatives living outside Canada or prizes that you won.
Goods you bring in for commercial use or for another person do not qualify for the exemption and are subject to applicable duty and taxes.
You should have all purchases made abroad and your receipts readily available. Be prepared to make a full and accurate declaration, including the amount of goods you are bringing with you, in Canadian dollars.
Making a full declaration and paying any duty and taxes you owe is a simple, straightforward process. You can pay by cash, travellers’ cheque, Visa, American Express or MasterCard. The CBSA also accepts debit cards at most offices. If an amount is no more than CAN$2,500, you can sometimes pay by personal cheque with suitable identification. A border services officer will give you a receipt showing the calculations and amount you paid.