Bringing Tobacco Back to Canada Over Land Border

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rokerdepipe

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jul 1, 2014
203
1,630
Ottawa, Canada
www.ericstendal.com
I was just in the US two weeks ago with my wife and we were selected randomly for a “go inside” check. We had to declare what we had in the vehicle and then go inside while they inspected the vehicle. We never lie at the border and declare everything with receipts in hand.

This is to say, that what is ‘new’ at the border now is the random vehicle check. They’re starting to do that more and more now and the agent at the booth doesn’t decide (unless they suspect something then they always have the discretion to direct you inside for secondary examination and interviews).

Your tax assessment will be determined according to where your land border crossing is. Ontario Provincial Tobacco Tax, Harmonized Sales Tax and Federal Duties and Excise Taxes could be assigned to you. If it’s a tin or two, you’re right, it may not be worth the bother; but that’s a random chance you take with the agent when you’re coming back across.
 
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BayouGhost

Starting to Get Obsessed
Apr 10, 2024
184
1,990
Louisiana
I got pulled into one of those "go inside and sit in a room" random checks with a full car search crossing into New Brunswick at St. Stephen once. It was fairly painless other than about a 2-hour delay on a long drive up to Charlottetown PEI.

I wonder what the policy is if you have a regular 50 gram or 2-ounce tin with a lot of extra space in it, like some of the C&D sliced cakes or plugs and just double load it from another tin. You could probably fit a couple extra plugs in some of these.
 

anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
17,061
32,049
46
In the semi-rural NorthEastern USA
I'd take the back seat out and pack as much bulk and tins as I could and put the seat back in. Last I recall the dogs aren't trained to alert on tobacco. Pack the inner fender wells, under the dash, in the doors, you name it.
And now every time you cross the boarder they're going to take your car apart. Mostly because you gave them an excuse to cure their boredom. They probably do google search for terms like inner fender wells, under the dash....
Probably not but if it happens you'll at least know why.
 

anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
17,061
32,049
46
In the semi-rural NorthEastern USA
Unless I was bringing in large amounts, I'd pack it in my suitcase and keep quiet. I certainly wouldn't attempt to conceal it in a wheel well or something similar as if you were caught, it shows criminal intent.
honestly most guys just want to do their job and go home with as little hassle as possible. And a few tins not mentioned one can plead ignorance and not make it worse.
 

Pipe & a walk

Lurker
Nov 20, 2024
27
39
Just curious: going to be maybe going into the US in February and might possibly bring a few tins back to Canada with me. I'm wondering - is the provincial tax calculated on the land border you use - ie. Ontario or Quebec, or is it based upon your province of residence? (That is IF I pay duty to begin with).
I don't believe you'll ever find a CBSA agent that will let you pass through without paying the tax on tobacco.
The tax is based on the province that you enter, not reside.
I suggest buying the cheapest pouch of convenience store grade tobacco you can find, something that you don't mind walking away from, declare it and find out what they do.