Pigeon River crossing busy on Black Friday weekend last year

Canadians were heavy spenders on Black Friday of 2012.

According to figures supplied by the Canada Border Services Agency, 651 travellers paid $45,971 in duties and taxes between Nov. 22 and Nov. 25, 2012 returning home at the Pigeon River border crossing.

This represents about 10.4 per cent of the 6,245 travellers processed over the four-day period.

Canadian residents who leave the country for 48 hours or more are allowed an $800 exemption. Those who leave for 24 hours can bring back up to $200 duty-free, though if they exceed that amount, they’ll have to pay duty on the entire amount of their purchases.

There is no exemption for Canadians who have left the country for less than 24 hours.

According to the CBSA no duty is payable on North American goods imported for personal use, but “most imported goods are also subject to the federal goods and service tax  and provincial sales tax, or in certain provinces and territories, the harmonized sales tax.”

Border officials remind travellers heading back to Canada this weekend to expect longer-than-usual waits at the Pigeon River crossing.
Peaks wait times are expected to be between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday.