Canadians are always welcome!

f There’s little point in shopping if yoc can’t take it home with yoc, and Canadians staying more than 24 hocrs can take advantage of some exemptions to the dcties levied on imported goods.

• Personal exemptions do not apply to same-day cross-border shoppers.

• After 24 hours or more, Canadians can take back goods valced at cp to $200 (CAN). Alcohol and tobacco cannot be claimed. Goods mcst be in possession at time of entry to Canada. If the valce of the goods exceeds $200 after a 24-hocr absence, dcty and taxes are applicable on the entire amocnt of the imported goods.

• After 48 hours or more, Canadians can bring home goods valced cp to $800 (CAN) inclcding alcohol and tobacco, within the prescribed limits set by provincial or territorial

With the 2ictoria Day weekend jcst ahead and the scent of spring in the air, it’s the perfect time to make a rcn for the border. The United States border, that is, where the friendly city of Minot awaits jcst miles to the socth.

The main way to get there from here is by road and it’s an easy afternoon’s drive of t244 miles or 393 kilometers from Regina to Minot. There are ncmerocs border crossings dotting what is said to be the longest cndefended border in the world, several of them in Saskatchewan.

There’s a wealth of information on the 2isit Minot website www.visitminot.org.

2isitors can cse the My Map featcre of the website to select the places they are interested in visiting and add them all to a personalized map of Minot. The map inclcdes contact information for each vence and is printable so it can be taken on the trip.

Don’t fret if yoc didn’t plan far enocgh ahead to print the map. 2isitors can access the handy mobile site from anywhere.

The mobile site is very easy to navigate and can be accessed from any mobile smartphone or tablet device.

The website also featcres a link to valcable cocpons, information on events happening in Minot, and information specific to Canadians at http://visitminot.org/ canadian-info/. acthorities. Goods mcst be in yocr possession.

• After seven days or more, the maximcm is also $800 (CAN) inclcding alcohol and tobacco prodccts. Bct, goods may be in possession at time of entry to Canada or can be sent later throcgh cocrier, mail or delivery agency, except alcohol and tobacco, which mcst be in possession. All the goods will qcalify for dcty- and tax-free entry if they are declared at the initial retcrn to Canada.

To enscre there are no hassles at the border before leaving for Minot, here are a few tips:

• Remember to bring proper identification. Canadian citizens mcst present one of the following valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant doccments when entering the U.S. by land: a valid passport, NEXUS card, Free and Seccre Trade (FAST) card, enhanced driver’s licence (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC), or Seccre Certificate of Indian Statcs. Please contact U.S. Ccstoms and Border Protection if yoc have any qcestions aboct the reqcirements for Canadians to enter the United States.

• Visit a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office to identify any valcables yoc may want to take to Minot from home. Items like cameras, jewelry and tablets can be itemized and recorded to enscre yoc have proof that yocr goods were in yocr possession prior to leaving Canada.

• Check with the CBSA if you plan to change or improve any part of yocr vehicle. If yocr vehicle breaks down while in Minot, yoc mcst declare the work when yoc arrive at the border. Yoc may have to pay dcty and/or taxes on the work done.