Local stores adapting to keep your money north of the border
Posted June 2, 2012 8:04 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Long border waits are expected this weekend, as Canadian cross-border shoppers are now allowed to bring back more duty-free goods from their trip to the US. But do the new limits mean we’ll start to see more deals and better bargains around the Lower Mainland?
The next time you stay in the US for 24 hours, you can spend $200 without paying duty. If you’re there for 48 hours, the duty-free allowance is now $800.
The Retail Council of Canada is putting a positive spin-off to what could be looked at as a negative situation.
“Several retailers have launched mobile apps. Many retailers have upped their E-commerce platform. Many retailers are offering free shipping, plus in-store pick-up. So there are several ways that retailers are responding to this,” explains the council’s Shafiq Jamal.
He believes the savings will continue to be passed along to you as retailers work to keep your hard-earned dollars north of the border.
“Retailers, as they always do in a competitive business, always try to up their game,” notes Jamal. “They do their best to pass on savings [to you]. They take a hit and they hurt but they want to ensure that they are providing good service and value to the customer.”
But Jamal adds, there’s only so much retailers can do until the federal government gets rid of what he calls “outdated” import duties and tariffs.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s office says the new limits were set to match those applied to US travellers returning from Canada.
The new rules are expected to cost the federal government $13 million this fiscal year.
