The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) has launched a new ‘Tax Saving Checker’ website to help travellers work out how much they are saving on selected product categories by comparing Canadian Duty Free border store prices by those offered by American retailers.

The ‘Allowance Calculator’ also indicates permitted allowance levels and border wait/crossing times on the site. [click here: www.dutyfreecanada.com”]. 

Laurie Karson, Executive Director of the FDFA said: “Canadians have long believed that shopping in the US is cheaper than in Canada. They should be aware that they can save at a Canadian Duty Free Store before they cross the border into the US. This website shows ways that shoppers can save tax and duty on the products they enjoy.” 

A PRACTICAL TOOL
Research conducted by the FDFA apparently showed ‘increasing Canadian resentment with high taxation’ and the negative impact it has on pricing at provincial retailers. She added: “The Tax Saving Checker uses a four-level grade system to show travellers how much can be saved when buying premium products at a Canadian land border duty free store.”

Other services provided by this website include ‘an easy-to-use nation-wide store locator, featuring individual store profile pages listing services, opening hours and directions, plus suggestions for more ways to save tax and duties.

“While there is cross-border travel information scattered on the Web, it can be hard to find, difficult to understand, and it is often inaccurate,” said Karson. “Our website is a one-stop authoritative resource for travellers. We’ll be supporting the website with an awareness campaign – It’s better at the border – that we’re rolling out soon.”

In January, Canadian land border stores generated sales of C$7.1m ($7.2m) and were largely flat, with today’s conversion rate between the Canadian and US dollar making life tougher for land border retailers.