For those who can’t resist an overnight shopping trip to the states, it’s good news. You will soon be able to bring back more goodies than before, without paying tax.
Currently, the value of goods Canadians can import duty-free and tax-free is capped: at $50 after 24 hours away from Canada; $400 after 48 hours away; and $750 after seven days away.
But the federal budget, unveiled Thursday, indicated that effective June 1, those exemption limits will be raised: to $200 after 24 hours away; $800 after 48 hours away; and $800 after seven days outside of the country.
While I’m all for allowing people the choice of where to buy their goods, I am concerned for those retailers in the Elk Valley who might find the states will be stealing even more of their revenue.
It must already be challenging for businesses in the Valley to stay afloat. Not only are we located close to the US border, but the Albertan border too, and shoppers nowadays also turn to the internet to hunt out bargains.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said that the measure is intended to ease congestion at border crossings and reduce the amount of lying that takes place there.
For communities like ours, the move means weekend excursions to Kalispell will likely add up to more dollars spent in an economy that provides no true local benefit.
“I’m not terribly concerned about the cross- border shopping because we haven’t changed the 24-hour rule,” Flaherty said.
He makes a fair point, but with hotels, eating and drinking so cheap in Montana, who isn’t going to stay a night to take advantage of the weak US dollar, and swipe that credit card a few more times?
Many of us enjoy weekends in Whitefish. But we also don’t want to see businesses closing and local stores empty because everyone is shopping at Target. I know that supporting businesses in the community is so important, and that they give back to us with their support for local charities and events. And it just isn’t the same going into a “big box store” where nobody knows your name, to buy things. One of the best things about living in a small community is the smile you get from someone in a store when they recognise you.
I know there are some things you can’t find in the Elk Valley, and you need to go a little further afield, but there really isn’t much. I’m going to look a little harder locally before I head to the states.
