Canadian Duty Free Industry Applauds Government Decision to Increase Canadian Duty Free Allowances

Apr 02, 2012

Government Decision will foster more efficient border traffic flows, and thereby benefit upcoming summer Canadian tourism season

Ottawa, Ontario, April 2, 2012/CNW/ - The Frontier Duty Free Association -- which represents Canada’s land border duty free industry -- applauds the Government of Canada’s decision to harmonize Canada’s duty free purchase allowances with those of the United States.  

Our industry appreciates recent Government efforts to create and implement policies that will positively impact the future of our Canadian border operations. The change announced by Minister Flaherty will reduce border congestion during peak periods, and thereby help improve tourism visits to Canada over the long term.

Under the government announced changes, the new Canadian duty free customs allowances for travellers will be $200.00 for trips under 48 hours and $800.00 after 48 hours.

The previous two-tiered allowance system had created confusion amongst the travelling public, and certainly was a factor in traffic congestion at our borders. As the FDFA Executive Director, Laurie Karson noted “Today, our industry is grateful for our government’s decision to harmonize the allowance system which is an important win for our borders in order to ease the current traffic congestion”. 

For more information on the Canadian Duty Free Industry and store locations, please refer to the new Canadian Duty Free website: www.dutyfreecanada.com or to the Frontier Duty Free Association website: www.fdfa.ca.