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Canadian Canadians
Can I purchase duty free? Yes Yes
Yes, you can purchase any of the duty free products in the store, as long as you are heading directly across the border into the USA
Can I purchase alcohol at the Niagara Duty Free on my way into the USA? Yes Yes
Yes, you can purchase alcohol at the Niagara Duty Free on any trip to the USA
Are there any duty charges at U.S. Customs on the alcohol I purchase? No No
No, the first litre of alcohol or case of beer is always Duty Free, on any trip into the USA.
Can I bring alcohol purchased at the Duty Free back into Canada after I have visited the USA? Yes Yes
Yes, you can if you have been out of the country for 48 hours or more. You may bring back Duty Free: 1 bottle of Liquor (1.14 litres) or one case of Beer (24) or 2 bottles of Wine (750ml each).
American Americans
Can I purchase duty free? Yes Yes
Yes, you can purchase any of the duty free products in the store, as long as you are heading directly across the border into the USA
Can I purchase alcohol at the Niagara Duty Free when heading back to the USA from any trip to Canada? Yes Yes
Yes, you can purchase alcohol at the Niagara Duty Free when heading back to the USA from any trip to Canada.
Are there any duty charges at U.S. Customs on the alcohol I purchase if I have been in Canada for a few days? No No
No, the first litre of alcohol or case of beer is always Duty Free, on any trip more than 48 hours.
Are there any duty charges at U.S. Customs on the alcohol I purchase if I have been in Canada for the day? Yes Yes
Yes, all liquor purchases made on a trip less than 48 hours are subject to the small duties shown below.
DUTY FREE SHOPPING FOR EVERYONE
Can I purchase more than one litre of alcohol or case of beer? Yes Yes
Yes, you can purchase additional alcohol when traveling to the USA as long as it is for personal consumption. The additional alcohol is subject to small duties.
How much is the duty on additional alcohol?
Here are examples on how inexpensive the duties are:
  • Ontario Wine (750ml) 25 cents a bottle
  • Canadian Beer (24) $1.25 a case
  • Liquor (1 litre) $2 to $3, on average
CUSTOMS AND ALLOWANCES QUICK CHARTS
ABSENCES FROM HOME COUNTRYAMOUNT IN $ALCOHOL ALLOWANCESTOBACCO ALLOWANCES# OF ALLOWABLE
Americans returning to US
On Any Trip (no min time) $200 us 150 ml.(5oz) 10 Cigars Daily
After 48 hours $800 us 1 Litre (33.8oz) of Liquor 1 Carton (200 Cigarettes) and 100 Cigars Monthly
Canadians heading to US
On Any Trip 1 Litre of Liquor 1 Carton (200 cigarettes) & 50 Cigars Any
Canadians returning to Canada
After 24 hours $200 can None None  
After 48 hours $800 can 1.14 litres of liquor or 1.5 litres of wine or 24 355ml of beer 1 Carton (200 Cigarettes) and 50 Cigars and 200 grams of Tobacco and 200 Tobacco Sticks Any
After 7 days $800 can 1.14 litres of liquor or 1.5 litres of wine or 24 355ml of beer 1 Carton (200 Cigarettes) and 50 Cigars and 200 grams of Tobacco and 200 Tobacco Sticks Any