Duty - Vancouver Round-trips

[Veinless]

Could not find anything posted here on this.

 

We are Canadians, looking at doing a round-trip cruise from Vancouver (Alaska and back in 7 days). Are there any special duty considerations? Is it treated same as going to the US for 7 days?

 

Thanks!

[canadianbear]

Unless things have changed it’s treated like you said-7 days in US.  We haven’t traveled since covid started though.  I haven’t looked but should be on the customs website too.  

[Fouremco]

That's correct, it's treated in exactly the same manner. Take a peek here for your allowances:

https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/what-you-can-bring-home-to-canada

 

There was an interesting thread a few years ago when an indignant passenger complained to CC at length about how CBSA had ripped him off. He had purchased well in excess of his allowance, but argued that because he had bought it all at duty free shops, he shouldn't have to pay any when returning home. He couldn't wrap his mind around the difference in paying duty at the point of sale and paying it when importing goods.

 

Enjoy your cruise. And your shopping!

[Been There, Planning That]

1 minute ago, Fouremco said:

There was an interesting thread a few years ago ---

Do you EVERY forget anything related to cruising?

[Fouremco]

1 hour ago, Been There, Planning That said:

Do you EVERY forget anything related to cruising?

LOL. Some CC posts/threads are just more memorable than others. 😇

[K_e_short]

3 hours ago, Fouremco said:

That's correct, it's treated in exactly the same manner. Take a peek here for your allowances:

https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/what-you-can-bring-home-to-canada

 

There was an interesting thread a few years ago when an indignant passenger complained to CC at length about how CBSA had ripped him off. He had purchased well in excess of his allowance, but argued that because he had bought it all at duty free shops, he shouldn't have to pay any when returning home. He couldn't wrap his mind around the difference in paying duty at the point of sale and paying it when importing goods.

 

Enjoy your cruise. And your shopping!

 

Thats because the U.S. isn't that good at asking/checking for things being brought into the country.

My roll call had hundreds of people confirming you can bring back WAY MORE then the regulated amount and no one will check.

I guess they forgot Canada had different rules 🙂

[em-sk]

On 1/10/2022 at 3:20 PM, K_e_short said:

 

Thats because the U.S. isn't that good at asking/checking for things being brought into the country.

My roll call had hundreds of people confirming you can bring back WAY MORE then the regulated amount and no one will check.

I guess they forgot Canada had different rules 🙂

 

I think it depends.  I have been on some of the pacific costal cruises from LA to Vancouver.  These usually have a stop in Victoria the day before Vancouver.  You fill out your customs card in LA as you board the ship.  Canada customs clears the entire ship into Canada in Victoria.  Certain if there is anything odd on the declaration they would call you down.  In that case the customs officers just wave as you walk off.  

 

It all depends.  Other times they are very strict.  I think it hard to predict ahead of time.   

[K_e_short]

12 minutes ago, em-sk said:

 

I think it depends.  I have been on some of the pacific costal cruises from LA to Vancouver.  These usually have a stop in Victoria the day before Vancouver.  You fill out your customs card in LA as you board the ship.  Canada customs clears the entire ship into Canada in Victoria.  Certain if there is anything odd on the declaration they would call you down.  In that case the customs officers just wave as you walk off.  

 

It all depends.  Other times they are very strict.  I think it hard to predict ahead of time.   

 

I meant US customs, specifically on close looped cruises.

 

I hav always been happy with how border security in Canada has been fair and thorough.

[Schmoe38]

12 hours ago, em-sk said:

 

I think it depends.  I have been on some of the pacific costal cruises from LA to Vancouver.  These usually have a stop in Victoria the day before Vancouver.  You fill out your customs card in LA as you board the ship.  Canada customs clears the entire ship into Canada in Victoria.  Certain if there is anything odd on the declaration they would call you down.  In that case the customs officers just wave as you walk off.  

 

It all depends.  Other times they are very strict.  I think it hard to predict ahead of time.   

We’re on a Pacific Coastal cruise in May of this year, embarking in San Diego and disembarking in Vancouver. We stop in Victoria, 1 day before disembarkation.

 

Do you know if we will need to have our PCR test administered and ArriveCan app completed before we arrive in Victoria? We fly back home from Vancouver.

 

Randy
 

 

[K_e_short]

16 minutes ago, Schmoe38 said:

We’re on a Pacific Coastal cruise in May of this year, embarking in San Diego and disembarking in Vancouver. We stop in Victoria, 1 day before disembarkation.

 

Do you know if we will need to have our PCR test administered and ArriveCan app completed before we arrive in Victoria? We fly back home from Vancouver.

 

Randy
 

 

 

Great question.

I think we'll need to wait to see how Canada deals with PCR testing with cruises.

 

We know that Caribbean countries have treated cruiselines differently. For example if you fly into a country you need an antigen test/pcr test BUT if you get off on a cruise ship you do not, as the cruise line is confirming that the passengers all have a negative antigen/pcr test.

 

BUT.. some Caribbean countries require testing and that is why ports are being cancelled.

[Magicat]

On 1/10/2022 at 5:20 PM, K_e_short said:

 

Thats because the U.S. isn't that good at asking/checking for things being brought into the country.

My roll call had hundreds of people confirming you can bring back WAY MORE then the regulated amount and no one will check.

I guess they forgot Canada had different rules 🙂

You can bring back "way more" than you are duty exempt for.  If you declare it, you will likely pay duty on those extra items.  If you don't declare it, you run the risk they pull you aside to inspect your luggage.  If it is determined you have "misled" the CBSA officer, you can be fined and you will be selected for secondary inspection on every return to Canada. 

'I returned from a trip from India with more than my alcohol allowance and did declare the overage.  I was sent to secondary where there were 2 lines.  I was the only one in line #1 and they were very adamant that I go into line #1.  Pleasant officer there asked what I had and suggested I choose the bottle of wine as my overage as I would pay less duty than the bottle of vodka.  I paid $6 and change and was on my way in 10 minutes.  

In line #2, there were several people there.  Some sitting and waiting, some standing with the officer watching him rip their luggage apart.  They didn't even ask me to see the bottles I had.  So please be aware and always declare!

[Magicat]

Oh one other thing to mention.  A friend (US Citizen) purchased a very expensive watch on the ship.  When he disembarked, his last check out did not have the happy "bing" as usually, but a nasty buzzer.  He was pulled aside and escorted by 2 CBP officers off the ship.  He told us later that they led him to secondary inspection where they ensured he declared his item and pay the duty.  He was outside waiting for us before got out of customs. LOL

[K_e_short]

Border Security is a show on Discovery network? I think. I'm sure it's online as well.

 

My family has watched almost all the episodes.

 

I think all travellers should watch a few so that you can learn what not to do 🙂

[Fouremco]

34 minutes ago, Magicat said:

Oh one other thing to mention.  A friend (US Citizen) purchased a very expensive watch on the ship.  When he disembarked, his last check out did not have the happy "bing" as usually, but a nasty buzzer.  He was pulled aside and escorted by 2 CBP officers off the ship.  He told us later that they led him to secondary inspection where they ensured he declared his item and pay the duty.  He was outside waiting for us before got out of customs. LOL

There have been many posts/threads indicating that cruise ships provide CBP with a list of sales from the stores on board. So they knew that he'd made that purchase before he stepped off the ship, and was very lucky that they only made him pay the duty and not a fine as well. Of course, he might have been another one of the passengers who completely misunderstood the concept of these stores being "duty free".

[em-sk]

7 hours ago, Schmoe38 said:

We’re on a Pacific Coastal cruise in May of this year, embarking in San Diego and disembarking in Vancouver. We stop in Victoria, 1 day before disembarkation.

 

Do you know if we will need to have our PCR test administered and ArriveCan app completed before we arrive in Victoria? We fly back home from Vancouver.

 

Randy
 

 

 

I think you are going to have to wait.  

 

The way the current rules are written the test have to be done within 72 hours of your planned entry into Canada when coming by sea.  It is within 72 hours of departure when coming by air.   

 

That may not be feasible with a cruise.  I suspect the government and cruise lines will have some amended rules come out before the cruises actually start.   

 

Entry into Canada would be Victoria and not Vancouver in this case.

 

Edited January 12, 2022 by em-sk