My wife and I are U.S. citizens. We are currently in Canada on vacation. We will be returning to the U.S. this Saturday.
I am going to have around 1.5 cases of unopened beer on Saturday. How much am I allowed to take back to the U.S. duty-free? Most cites say “1 case.” But I am unclear if it means “1 case” period or “1 case per person per vehicle.” I would prefer the latter, of course, since it would mean I can take it all across the border.
I can’t speak to the specifics of this case, but most of the ICE limits are per person per entry into the country.
Looks like duty - if they were to charge it - is $1-2/litre, so I would just declare and they will almost definitely wave you through.
https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1403?language=en_US
Quoting myself for context:
One slight addendum. For booze and cigs it’s per adult person. For general merchandise it’s per person, including any kids.
This distinction isn’t relevant to @Crafter_Man, but is worth pointing out for completeness.
Border Agent: Do you have anything to declare?
Crafter_Man: A couple of 6 packs of beer.
Border Agent: You can go
Not sure what border crossing you have, but I’ve gone to Vancouver dozens of times (Mainly Peace Arch). Of course, I stop in the duty free on the Canadian side to grab a bargain. I can have 3-4 bottles of hard liquor in the car. Be happy, friendly, even jokingly to the agent: (“grabbed a bottle of Jameson”). Not once has an agent ever wanted to even peak in the windows to check.
And, if busted, you were completely truthful with a “couple of 6 packs.” Then innocently ask “how much can I bring in”?. And if you’re a smart ass, ask if you can “pour out the extras”?
What kind of beer is it?
Unless things have changed, and I see no reason why they would have changed, it’s one case per person.
I’m Canadian, and I used to live in Toronto. Back then, maybe 30 years ago, a friend was studying for his doctorate at Princeton. Close enough to be able to drive in a day, so occasionally, another friend and I would drive down for the weekend, to visit our buddy.
He liked a certain kind of Canadian beer that was unavailable in the US, so he’d always ask us to bring him a couple of cases of it. We never had a problem declaring it at US Customs. Two legal adults in the car, two cases of beer. The reaction from US Customs was typically, “Thanks very much, and have a nice day.” So the OP should be okay with up to two cases, as long as he’s with his wife.
And another, “What kind of beer is it?”
I assume you are both over 21. If not, could be a problem.
Thanks for the replies! Looks like we won’t have any problem.
Alexander Keith’s (Halifax, Nova Scotia) IPAs and a variety of IPAs made by Hop Valley Brewing Company (Creemore, ON).
It was the only decent stuff I could find at The Beer Store. The LCBOs were closed due to a strike.
On behalf of Premier Doug Ford, our condolences.
You didn’t miss anything. The Beer Store now has a better selection of beer and package sizes than the LCBO does anyway. You went to the right place for beer.
Good selections. I think you’ll find that the Alexander Keith’s is almost more of a lager than it is an ale; but trust me, chill it down, and it will have enough “bite,” and will be very welcome on a hot day. I cannot speak to products by the Hop Valley Brewing Company, but Creemore has some special water that brews great beers. I should know, Creemore Springs Lager was my preferred brand when I lived in Ontario.
All the best,
Spoons
(Ex-Beer Store Worker)
Went to visit my buddy in Port Austin last Spring. We drove down to Windsor for a few days. on the way back:
U.S. Border Agent: What was the purpose of going into Canada
Me: Beer run
Border Agent: Excuse me? Excuse me! Say again!
Me: Uh, tourism.
Border Agent: Alright. Do you have anything to declare?
Me: 2 cases of beer
Border Agent: Get out of here. Go!
Friend Danny. Drunk as hell yelling out the passenger window as I drove away: I declare you is an asshole!
I failed to declare the other case of beer that was already in Dans bloodstream.
We were returning from a camping trip, crossing into the U.S. in Maine and were asked I we were declaring anything. i said “Well, I have a couple if 6 packs in the cooler”. He wanted to see them. I’ve been to Canada maybe six or seven times and that was the only time I wasn’t just waved through after the basic questions.
On the same trip, but going into Canada, the border agent asked if we were planning on selling the kayaks being carried on the roof. We weren’t but I thought that to be an odd question. Is there some sort of black market for kayaks in Canada?
@Crafter_Man , you should be back in the US by now. How did things go at US Customs?
Went smoothly. 
She told me to roll down the back window. So I did. I guess she was looking to see if someone was hiding in the back seat.
Yes, a lot of cars have tint or mirroring and it’s hard to see what’s in the back sat. Note too a lot of the crossing kiosks have the road ramped so it’s easier for the broder guy to see in the whole car.
Rule of thumb - be nice to the border guards at a foreign country. They are not obligated to let you in. Coming home, they can’t refuse you entry unless your documentation is questionable. (But you can get arrested if there’s grounds…)
Generally I’ve found unless there’s a lot of duty to collect, they let you go. For visits of less than 48 hours we’ve regularly been over our limit by a hundred or so (each) in personal purchases and not had to go in and pay duty. But then, it was not alcohol or tobacco. I assume for a certain amount it’s not worth the hassle of collecting, figuring out what’s taxable, etc. (No tax on most groceries, but then there’s limits on milk and cheese products, some raw meats are not allowed, etc.) That’s the Canadian side. Never had to pay duty or even declare stuff going into the USA. heck, the whole point of going there is to buy stuff.