A special publication by the Havre Daily News
Holiday Events
Kick-off in Havre and the Hi-Line Pam Burke ~ Havre Daily News
Communities offer welcome meal for Thanksgiving North-central Montana communities of Havre and Chinook have long-held traditions of communitymindedness and this spirit of togetherness, and support is no m o r e ev i d e n t t h a n i t i s a t Thanksgiving, when volunteers, donors and neighbors come together in each town to hold their community dinners. These dinners are free and open to the public. Whether diners come alone or with family and friends, whether they are locals or visitors, everyone is invited to a full turkey dinner with trimmings and companionship.
Havre Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Havre’s community dinner is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Jude Pa r i s h C e n t e r, 4 4 0 7 t h Ave. Sponsored in full by an anonymous donor, this decades-old event serves more than 600 meals, both at the Parish Center and through home deliveries, each Thanksgiving. Last year they served around 800 meals. With a professional chef at the helm in the kitchen, along with kitchen staff at Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods, diners are treated to succulent turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, fresh vegetables, corn and rolls, fresh from the oven, followed by a slice of pumpkin pie. Many locals come to the meal, bringing family, meeting friends or making new friends across the table. But people come from far and wide, as well — many are in town with family or friends, some are visitors, more than one occasion saw stranded travelers taking part. Some people come just for the experience. Last year at least one couple from Lethbridge, Alberta, came just to experience this community tradition.
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Havre Daily News/file photo The St. Jude Parish Center is full of diners last Thanksgiving during the Havre Community Thanksgiving Dinner. The dinner is a Havre tradition and is paid for in full by an anonymous donor. The dinner usually serves more than 600 people, including home-delivered meals to shut-ins.
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VISIT Havre & the Hi-Line
November 2014
Welcome Welcome our Canadian neighbors and friends … to Havre.
Our area is rich in history of the American West. Havre was settled more than 100 years ago, after James J. Hill forged the Great Northern Railroad, now Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, across the Great Plains. Havre quickly became the transportation hub of the area, providing goods and supplies to the area trappers, miners and military stationed at Fort Assinniboine. Area museums and attractions set the stage for a visit, showcasing and re-creating local history. The Havre Daily News is pleased to bring this community tourism information guide for visitors to the area. Recreation can be found in town at city parks, the golf courses, historical attractions and art venues. Western hospitality is no catchpenny phrase in Havre. Hospitality and friendliness are a charming part of the town’s personality, as genuine and as real as the surrounding hills. Havre is a town where visitors are warmly welcomed whether the stay is an hour, a day or a week.
Outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities beckon with camping and fishing in Beaver Creek Park located in the Bear Paw Mountains and at Fresno Reservoir. Beaver Creek Park, 10,000 acres in size, provides a beautiful natural recreation area. Historical and archeological sites await visitors, including the bison kill site, on the western edge of Havre, and Fort Assinniboine, one of the largest forts in the nation built at the end of the Indian Wars just south of Havre. The arts also embrace Havre, from art shows to theater productions performed by local actors and concerts and shows by nationally recognized talent. A variety of attractions also exist in surrounding communities. Numerous museums, historical sites and other attractions are all awaiting within a few hour drive of Havre. A smiling welcome awaits visitors, who can use this guide to find activities, accommodations, shopping, restaurants, taverns and services while they enjoy Havre and the Hi-Line.
Know Before You Go A little preparation will help simplify the process of entering the United States. Customs and Border Protection reminds travelers: The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older, to present a valid acceptable travel document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. U.S. and Canadian citizens under age 16 may present a birth certificate or alternative proof of citizenship when entering by land or sea. WHTI - compliant documents for entry into the United States at land and sea ports include: o U.S. or Canadian passports; o Trusted traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST/EXPRES); o U.S. passport card; o State- or province-issued and enhanced driver’s licenses (when and where available). For more information, visit the WHTI website at GetYouHome.gov. A radio frequency identification-enabled travel document, such as a U.S. passport card, enhanced driver’s license/enhanced identification card or trusted traveler program card, expedites entry and makes crossing the border more efficient. Other programs that facilitate the entry process for international travelers coming into the country to visit, study or conduct legitimate business include trusted traveler programs, such as SENTRI, NEXUS and Global Entry. For more information about these programs, visit www.cbp. gov. The • • •
hours at the ports near Wild Horse are: Sweetgrass, MT: open 24 hours per day all year Wild Horse, MT: open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during winter hours Willow Creek, MT: open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all year
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VISIT Havre & the Hi-Line
November 2014
Holiday: New event kicks off the holiday season ■ Continued from page 1
Chinook Community Thanksgiving Dinner Served from noon to 2 p.m. at the senior center, 324 Pennsylvania, Chinook’s community dinner is a 35-year tradition featuring an abundance of homemade foods. Diners feast on a full Thanksgiving meal of turkey, homemade mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, yams and fresh vegetables, with an assortment of homebaked pies to top off the meal. All made possible by the work of volunteers and support from major donors, as well as those who make a donation for their meal, as many as about 200 community members and visitors are served, including deliveries made to those who aren’t able to get out in public. Along with the meal, most years musical entertainment is provided by the Chinook Senior Center band or others who take advantage of the resident piano. Everybody is welcome, regardless of their ability to make a donation, and it helps to bring an appetite.
While touring the streets, people are invited to stop in to the lobby of First Bank of Montana, 337 Indiana, to view the Christmas trees fully decorated and donated by community members and businesses to the Festival of Trees fundraiser. Bidding on the trees closes at 5:45 p.m. All money raised this year will be split equally between two local organizations: Community Chest, which supports local causes like youth baseball, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and My Neighbor in Need, helps provide funds or facilitate donations of goods or services to those in temporary need of assistance, such as to fix a vehicle needed to get to a job interview or new job. The first year, this fundraiser made about $10,000. The day of celebration is set to be topped off with the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. Individuals, groups and businesses will vie to mostimpress onlookers, and judges, with their floats aglow with Christmas lights that mark the beginning of the Christmas season.
Havre’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony
Beyond the An old tradition welcomes a new turkey meal event Thanksgiving weekend offers a variety of activities and shopping With a festive mood in the air and friends and family home to visit, the town of Chinook takes this opportunity to turn Black Friday into a community-oriented celebration, filling the day with a C h r i s t m a s s t ro l l , t h e i r Festival of Trees and the 29th annual Parade of Lights. Main street in Chinook is blocked off from 1 to 7 p.m. allowing people to roam through the heart of town, stopping by vendor booths, checking out the holiday fare at local stores and stopping for some cheer with neighbors and visitors. Each year, music spills onto the streets from the handful of establishments offering live music, and even the local museums get into the spirit. The Blaine County Wildlife Museum will be open 1 to 6 p.m., with regular charges for entry, and Blaine County Museum, with its local and Native exhibits, will be open 1 to 6 p.m. free of charge.
OFFICE
After the feasting of Thanksgiving and the rush of Black Friday shopping, Saturday, Nov. 29, rings in the Christmas season with a community display in Town Square which attracts the largest crowd of the weekend. In a longstanding tradition, Havre will usher in the Christmas season with the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Square at the center of town. Havre High School choir members will lead the crowd in singing Christmas carols, while vendors will offer foods and drinks to help keep people warm as they huddle together in camaraderie, talking or enjoying the fire. Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to make a stop and help turn on the lights adorning the living Christmas tree. But before the lights come on, a new event will be running, quite literally. The first Santa Run/Walk will begin and end at Town Square with participants, dressed as Santa, running or walking a mile course. Kids can get in on the action, whether they run or not, dressed as an elf. Signup begins at 4 p.m. Prizes will
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PUBLISHER Stacy Mantle smantle@havredailynews.com EDITOR
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be awarded for best costumes of the adult and youth participants, as well as for fastest times in the men’s and women’s divisions. The chance for more prizes is available to everyone at the tree-lighting event, with drawings for this year’s Super Certificate winners and two “kids baskets” filled with goodies.
Havre’s Festival of Trees At 7 p.m. Saturday, following the downtown treelighting ceremony, the 7th Annual Festival of Trees will take place at St. Jude Parish C e n t e r, 4 4 0 7 t h Ave. i n Havre. Organized by the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, the Festival of Trees raises money for the club’s activities, and this year money will go to help with expansion and improvement of the facility to allow the club to increase membership and to ex p a n d s e r v i c e s. M o s t importantly, the club is adding a full-service kitchen. Individuals, groups and businesses fully decorate and then donate Christmas trees created with imaginative themes or unique twists, like a popular movie theme or a “tree” made from a fully stocked wine rack. During the evening event, which includes hors d'oeuvres, refreshments and games, the trees are sold to the highest bidder in a live auction. Items also sold in live and silent auctions will include two pieces of furniture, a hand-made quilt, a pheasant hunt complete with hunting dogs and a guide, baked goods and a lot more. Tickets to the Festival of Trees are $25 each and can be bought by calling 265-6206 during regular business hours. Though 250 tickets are sold each year, they sell out well before the event, so people are encouraged to call right away.
Havre’s Community Christmas Dinner The Havre Eagles Club members, with the support of volunteers and donors, will once again be hosting the Community Christmas Dinner at 202 1st St. From from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. volunteers will be serving up a traditional Christmas meal with turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, rolls and an assortment of fresh vegetables, as well as a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert. Started
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“Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” hits Havre John Paul Schmidt jpschmidt@havredailynews.com Pam Veis, the artistic director of the “Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical,” said that this show is a sequel to the one Montana Actors’ Theatre performed last year. She said they began working on the play mid-October. “We’ve been meeting and focusing on the musical aspects and the choreography,” Veis said Nov. 3. She said these are the most difficult parts to learn of a musical. The setting of the story is at a trailer park called Armadillo Acres in northern Florida. Veis said it has a little of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” themes wrapped into it, but in a more modern sense. “I would describe it as trashy and fun,” Veis said. She added that the show contains offensive language and is not for children. “It’s only for adults who would enjoy that type of show,” Veis said. The musical’s website says of the show: “ H o l i d ay t i m e a t N o r t h F l o r i d a ’s Armadillo Acres means everyone’s filled decades ago in Havre, this event provides a free meal to everyone, whether locals or visitors, who want to enjoy a warm holiday meal and community spirit. The meal is free, though donations are appreciated and go toward funding the next year’s meal. For more i n fo r m a t i o n , c a l l To m Farnham at 406-265-9551.
Holiday Village Mall, Atrium Mall host events throughout the season For those people with shopping on the mind, the local malls will be hosting activities throughout the season, along with sales and some expanded hours for Black Friday. Holiday Village Mall will have commercial vendor and craft sales, events at the H. Earl Clack Museum and plenty of opportunity to get a picture with Santa. Some of the mall stores will be open 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, and others open early Black Friday. The Atrium Mall is planning craft fairs and artist events, including an Action Art event with Artitudes member artists creating art live in a three-hour period, with artwork being awarded to raffle winners, and the monthly Artitudes Gallery artist reception, featuring Corey Couturier in December, with live music, refreshments and the opportunity to talk to the artist.
ADVERTISING SALES Shari Nelson Tanner Veis
with warmth and beer. But when a freak bout of amnesia strikes the trailer park Scrooge, neighborly love is put to the test. With Betty, Lin and Pickles on hand to amp up the fracas and festivity, this all-new, alltrailer-park musical is just as much of a catfightin’, sun-worshippin’, chair-throwin’ good time as the original — but with tinsel and Keg Nog.” Veis said that she had a couple of reservations about putting on the show, mainly because sequels are difficult to pull off, especially if the original was well-received. She said she decided to do the show because the cast was quite excited to perform it. The musical director of the show is Sharon Dolph and the choreography is being done by Mary Kaercher and Haley Lippy, who are also performing in the show. Darren Overlie and Martin Holt will be sharing a role together and Patrick Ulano and Mindy Smith-Langel are also starring in the musical. The musical’s opening days are Dec. 5-6. The musical opens every weekend after that: Dec. 11-13, Dec. 18-20 and the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas, Dec. 22-23. The playwright of both musicals is Betsy Kelso and the music and lyrics were written by David Nehls.
Holiday Village Mall events schedule Nov. 22 – Holidayland Gift Show Nov. 22-23 – Pictures with Santa, noon-3 p.m. Nov. 28-30 – Pictures with Santa, noon-3 p.m. Dec. 6-7–- Winterfest Craft Show; Pictures with Santa Dec. 13 – Lunch with Santa; Dinosaur Christmas, H. Earl Clack Museum; Kid's Day at RadioShack Dec. 13-14 – Pictures with Santa, noon-3 p.m.; Citywide Bake Sale Dec. 17 – Ugly Sweater Contest and Mall Elf Giveaways Dec. 20-24 – Pictures with Santa, noon-3 p.m.
Atrium Mall events schedule Nov. 29 – Craft Fair Dec. 6 – Craft Fair Dec. 12 – Artist Reception, 6-8 p.m. Artitudes Gallery Dec.13 – Craft Fair, Action Art event 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 20 – Craft Fair
Havre Daily News/Stacy Mantle Carol Anne White talks to Santa during the 2013 Lunch with Santa, an event put on by the Havre Area Chamber Ambassadors.
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES Rhonda Petersen rpetersen@havredailynews.com
For advertising information, contact Havre Daily News 119 Second Street P.O. Box 431 Havre, MT 59501 406-265-6795
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VISIT Havre & the Hi-Line
November 2014
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BORDER-CROSSING ACCESS POINTS
1. Rykerts - Porthill: BC 21/SH 1 2. Kingsgate - Eastport: BC 95/US-95 3. Roosville: BC 93/US 93 4. Chief Mtn: Hwy 6/MT 17 5. Carway - Piegan: Hwy 2/US 89
6. Del Bonita: Hwy 62/MT 213 7. Coutts - Sweetgrass: Hwy 4/1-15 8. Aden - Whitlash: Hwy 880/MT 409 9. Wild Horse: Hwy 41/MT 232 10. Willow Creek: Hwy 21/MT 233 11. Climax - Turner: Hwy 37/MT 241
12. Monchy - Morgan: Hwy 4/US 191 13. West Poplar River - Opheim: Hwy 2/MT 24 14. Coronach - Scobey: Hwy 36/MT 13 15. Big Beaver - Whitetail: Hwy 34/MT 511 16. Regway - Raymond: Hwy 6/MT 16
U.S. // CANADA
BORDER CROSSING BASICS What to Bring Americans visiting Canada and Canadians returning home from the south can make the crossing smooth by knowing the regulations they will encounter at the border. Keep receipts from all purchases handy. All plant, animal and food items must be be declared, as well as alcohol, firearms, tobacco and new vehicles. BE SURE TO BRING: Identification: Passports are best for both Canadians and Americans. Canadian citizens are required to present one of the following documents when entering the United States by land or water: • a passport; • a NEXUS card; • a FREE and Secure Trade (FAST) card; • an enhanced driver's license (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC) from a province where a U.S. approved EDL/EIC program has been implemented; or • a Secure Certificate of Indian Status. Vaccination records for pets: A certificate from a veterinarian must verify that animals older than three months are free of diseases communicable to humans and has been vaccinated for rabies. Consent to transport children with adults who are, and are not, parents or guardians. A letter of consent should be dated and include the children's names, ages, border-crossing dates and destination. The consent letter should include addresses and telephone numbers where the parents or guardian can be reached. With married couples, when one parent is traveling alone with the children, the signed consent letter should include a copy of the absent parent's driver's license or passport. Parents with custody orders (joint, shared or sole custody) should travel with copies of the legal custody documents as well as the consent letter form the other parent. DO NOT BRING: • Obscene, treasonable or seditious materials, hate propaganda or child pornography • Certain birds and feathers • Debased or counterfeit currency • Used mattresses • Items made by prisoners • Reprints of copyrighted Canadian works • Matches made with white phosphorus
GENERAL LIMITS PERSONAL EXEMPTION: • Canadian residents who spend more than 24 hours in the U.S. may return with up to $200 per person (Canadian) in goods without paying any duty. Items include food, furnishings and luxury items such as jewelry and perfume. An exemption is allowable for young children as long as the materials are for their use. Exemptions may not be combined with or transferred to other people. Alcohol and tobacco purchases are excluded from the personal exemption, with specific limits governing their purchase. Exceeding the $200 requires duties and taxes to be paid on the amount over and above the limit.
24 HOURS = $200
Under 24 Hours = NO PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS Residents who spent 24 hours or more in the U.S. may return with up to $200 per person (Canadian) in goods without paying any duty.
48 HOURS = $800
Residents who spent 48 hours or more in the U.S. may return with up to $800 per person (Canadian) in goods without paying any duty. Some alcohol and tobacco products may be included.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Exceeding the allowable limit may cost both duty and taxes, along with varying provincial/territorial assessments. Residents age 18 or 19 and older (depending on province) may import limited amounts of alcohol without paying duty or taxes. The limit for importing alcohol without paying duty is one of the following: • 1.5 liters (53 imperial ounces) of wine, or 2 - 750 mil.; • 1.14 liters (40 ounces) of alcohol; • a total of 1.14 liters (40 ounces) of wine and liquor; or • 24 12-ounce cans or bottles (maximum of 8.5 liters) of beer or ale.
TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Residents over age 18 may bring in all of the following amounts of tobacco free of duty and taxes within your personal exemption: • 200 cigarettes • 50 cigars • 200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco and • 200 tobacco sticks Source: http://help.cbp.gov
Havre Daily News/file Photo Santa turns on the Christmas tree lights during the 2013 tree lighting ceremony at Town Square.
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VISIT Havre & the Hi-Line
November 2014
Calendar of
events November 2014
November 8 – Montana Birthday – Sub-Zero Super-Hero Polar Plunge – 4pm – Blue Pony Stadium – Havre Youth Hockey Banquet – 6:30pm – Havre Eagles Club November 11 – Veteran’s Day – Chamber Office Closed Canadian Remembrance Day November 12-13 – ELF Food Drive (Havre Fire Department) – 6pm-9pm November 14 – Artist Reception (Linda Warneke) – 6pm-8pm – Atrium Mall November 15 – Recycle Drive & E-Waste Collection 8:30am-11:30am – Pacific Steel & Recycling November 18 – MSU-Northern Community Orchestra – “A Tribute to Rock & Roll” 7pm – 5th Avenue Christian Church November 21-22 – NMH 22nd Annual Employee Craft Fair 3rd Floor Conference Rooms - 21st – 9am-7pm; 22nd – 9am-3pm November 22 – Commercial Vendor Show – 10am-5pm – Holiday Village Mall – First Lutheran Church Bazaar – 11am-2pm November 22-23 – Pictures with Santa – Noon-3pm – Holiday Village Mall November 25 – Community Thanksgiving Service – 7pm – First Lutheran Church November 27 – Thanksgiving – Chamber Office Closed – Thanksgiving Dinner – 11am-2pm – St. Jude Social Hall November 28 – Chamber Office Closed – Black Friday – Parade of Lights, Christmas Stroll, Festival of Trees – Chinook November 28-30 – Pictures with Santa – Noon-3pm – Holiday Village Mall November 29 – Community Tree Lighting – 5:30pm – Town Square – Holiday Spirit Stroll through Havre Beneath the Streets – 3pm-5pm – 1 Mile Santa Run – Town Square Area – 4pm check in; 4:30pm run – Boys & Girls Club Festival of Trees – 7pm – St. Jude Social Hall – Artisan & Craft Fair (Live Music) – 10am-4pm – Atrium Mall
December 2014
December 5-6 – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” 8pm – MSU-N Theatre December 5-7 – Chouteau County Country Christmas – Big Sandy, Carter, Fort Benton, Geraldine, Highwood, Loma & Virgelle December 6 – St. Jude Thaddeus Christmas Bazaar – 10:30am-2pm – Artisan & Craft Fair (Live Music) – 10am-4pm – Atrium Mall – Cowboy Christmas – 5pm – MSU-Northern SUB December 6-7 – Winterfest Craft Show – Holiday Village Mall – Pictures with Santa – Noon-3pm – Holiday Village Mall December 7 – Piano & Pipes Christmas Concert – 2pm – First Lutheran Church December 11-13 – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” 8pm – MSU-N Theatre December 12 – Artist Reception – 6pm-8pm – Atrium Mall December 13 – Lunch with Santa – Noon – Holiday Village Mall – Artisan & Craft Fair (Live Music) – 10am-4pm – Atrium Mall – Action Art – 11am-1pm – Atrium Mall – Christmas at the H. Earl Clack Museum – 1pm-3pm – Jaycees Open House – 1pm-4pm – Basement of Eagles Club – Live Nativity Scene – 5pm-7pm – Van Orsdel United Methodist Church December 13-14 – City Wide Bake Sale – Holiday Village Mall – Pictures with Santa – Noon-3pm – Holiday Village Mall December 18-20 – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” 8pm – MSU-N Theatre December 20 – Recycle Drive & E-Waste Collection 8:30am-11:30am – Pacific Steel & Recycling – Artisan & Craft Fair (Live Music) – 10am-4pm – Atrium Mall December 20-24 – Pictures with Santa – Noon-3pm – Holiday Village Mall December 21 – Winter Begins – Eagles Kids Christmas Party – 2pm December 22-23 – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” 8pm – MSU-N Theatre December 24 – Christmas Eve – Chamber Office Closed at 1pm December 25 – Christmas Day – Chamber Office Closed – Community Christmas Dinner – 11am-2pm – Eagles Club December 26 – Chamber Office Closed – Boxing Day – Canada – HHS Alumni Holiday Hoops Basketball Games 6:30pm – Havre Middle School December 31 – New Year’s Eve – Chamber Office Closed at 3pm
January 2015
January 1 – New Year’s Day – Chamber Office Closed January 16-17 – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “9 Circles” – 8pm – MSU-Northern Theatre January 17 – 9th Annual PEO Wine & Microbrew Gala – 7pm – St. Jude Parish Center January 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Chamber Office Closed January 21 – Chamber Annual Meeting – Noon – Duck Inn Olympic Room January 22-24 – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “9 Circles” – 8pm – MSU-Northern Theatre January 24-25 – 4th Annual Fresno Ice Fishing Derby – Fresno Reservoir January 29-31 – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “9 Circles” – 8pm – MSU-Northern Theatre
February February February February February
February February February
February 2015
7 – First Lutheran Church Lutefisk Dinner – Noon-6pm 9 – Career Fair – 9am-Noon - MSU-Northern Armory Gym 10 – Tavern Association Dinner – 6pm – Duck Inn Olympic Room 13-14 – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents a “Dinner Theatre – Valentine’s Event” 14 – Valentine’s Day – Friends of the Havre/Hill County Library Pie Social – Noon-4pm – We Love Northern Ball – 6pm – Havre Historic Post Office 16 – President’s Day – Chamber Office Closed 18-21 – District 9-C Boys & Girls Basketball Tournament – HHS 27-28 – Montana Actors’ Theatre presents “Grease” 8pm – MSU-Northern Theatre
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Canada's guide to new rules for shopping in the U.S. Canadians visiting the U.S. will be able to bring back more goods tax-free Under the proposal, Canadians who travel to the U.S. for 24 hours or more will be able to bring back $200 worth of goods without paying tax or duty at the border. The current limit is $50. Here is a breakdown of the new cross-border exemptions for Canadians visiting the U.S.: When did the new rules go into effect? The new limits went into effect June 1, 2012. U.S. visits less than 24 hours: the rules remain unchanged — $50 and can’t include tobacco or alcoholic beverages. 24 to 48 hours: If you travel to the U.S. for more than 24 hours but less than 48 hours, you will be able to bring back $200 worth of taxexempt goods. The previous
limit was $50. More than 48 hours: If you're out of the country for more than 48 hours, your limit is now $800. Previously, travelers who were out of Canada from 48 hours to seven days were allowed to bring back $400 worth of goods. Travelers gone more than a week could bring back $750. What about alcohol and tobacco? Limits for alcohol and tobacco remain unchanged. Returning Canadian Residents Duty-Free Allowance for Alcohol If you are a Canadian resident or a temporary resident of Canada returning from a trip outside Canada, or a former Canadian resident returning to live in Canada, you are allowed to bring a small quantity of alcohol (wine, liquor, beer or wine coolers) into the country without having to pay duty or taxes as long as: you have been outside Canada for more than 48 hours. You may bring in one of • 1.5 liters (50.7 US ounces) of wine, including wine coolers over 0.5 percent alcohol, or
• 1.14 liters (38.5 US ounces) of liquor, or • a total of 1.14 liters (38.5 US ounces) of wine and liquor, or • 24 x 355 milliliters (12 ounce) cans or bottles of beer or ale, including beer coolers over 0.5 percent alcohol (a maximum of 8.5 liters or 287.4 U.S. ounces). Returning Canadian Residents Duty-Free Allowance for Tobacco If you are a Canadian resident or a temporary resident of Canada returning from a trip outside Canada, or a former Canadian resident returning to live in Canada, you are allowed to bring a limited amount of tobacco and tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, tobacco sticks, tobacco) into the country without having to pay duty or taxes as long as: • the tobacco accompany you, and • been outside Canada for more than 48 hours. You may bring in: • 200 cigarettes • 50 cigars or cigarillos • 200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco, and • 200 tobacco sticks.
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November 2014
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