Cross-border shopping may cost more amid trade war

The U.S. tariffs and Canada’s reciprocal measures are making cross-border shopping more expensive. CTV’s Katie Griffin explains.

Crossing the border for a shopping trip may cost more with the implementation of a 25 per cent surtax in response to the tariffs imposed by the United States.

“They nailed us on everything we brought. We brought back $153 USD worth of stuff and we paid 25 per cent on all of that after that amount was converted to Canadian dollars,” said Vince MacDonell who went to Ogdensburg this week.

MacDonell went to Ogdensburg to pick up an order from Home Depot he wasn’t able to cancel.

The surtax applies to a number of goods coming from the United States including food and clothing.

Canadians have to pay the extra 25 per cent, in addition to other duties and taxes, if they either don’t qualify for or exceed your personal exemption depending on how long you’re in the United States for.

“I’m just wondering where my $56 is going to go,” said MacDonell. “If it’s going to go to help businesses offset added costs because of this that’s great but if it’s going to go sit in a money pot then I have a problem with it.”

Pamela Lockhart also had to pay more at the border.

“I hope we can go back to having a friendly relationship with the U.S. and I won’t be crossing anytime soon to go cross-border shopping.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says the surtax will remain in place “until the U.S. eliminates its trade-restrictive measures against Canada.”

“The CBSA works in an operating environment that changes on a daily basis and we are ready to respond and adapt as needed,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement.