Ready for the holidays
The holiday season, with its festive events and, of course, Black Friday and other shopping draws, is just around the corner. Before the cold really sets in, it’s the perfect time to enjoy everything offered in Magical City of Minot.
Not only the perfect city for family getaways and couples’ weekends, Minot is also a shopping and tourism mecca for Canadians, especially those from southern Saskatchewan.
Minot has lots to offer, yet even with all the opportunities to sightsee and shop, there will still be room at an inn for visitors. There are currently more than 3,000 hotels/motels and a one-of-a-kind bed and breakfast, that together offer more 3,000 sleeping rooms. Many offer discounts for Canadians.
The easy-to-use hotel availability feature on the Visit Minot website at www.visitminot.org
can be big help when planning a trip. Visitors can use the My Map feature of the website to select the places they are interested in visiting and add them all to a personalized map of Minot.
The website also features a link to valuable coupons and information on events happening in Minot. And coupon books and all the information a visitor might need are also available at the Visitors Center.
After spending some time at the recently renovated Dakota Square Mall, with its more than 100 stores, you can head down to Main Street, and Minot’s historic downtown shopping district. There you will find a wide selection of shopping enticements, cooking shops, specialty clothing shops and jewellery stores you won’t find in Canada.
There’s little point in shopping if you can’t take it home with you, and Canadians staying more than 24 hours can take advantage of some exemptions to the duties levied on imported goods.
The Canada Border Service Agency has a great checklist for travellers at www. cbsa.gc.ca/travel-voyage/checklist-aidememoire-eng.pdf. Check with the Border Service if there are any questions. In general, when travelling to the U.S.:
• Personal exemptions do not apply to same-day cross-border shoppers.
• After 24 hours or more, Canadians can take back goods valued at up to $200 (CAN). Alcohol and tobacco cannot be claimed. Goods must be in possession at time of entry to Canada. If the value of the goods exceeds $200 after a 24-hour absence, duty and taxes are applicable on the entire amount of the imported goods.
• After 48 hours or more, Canadians can bring home goods valued up to $800 (CAN) including alcohol and tobacco, within the prescribed limits set by provincial or territorial authorities. Goods must be in your possession.
• After seven days or more, the maximum is also $800 (CAN) including alcohol and tobacco products. But, goods may be in possession at time of entry to Canada or can be sent later through courier, mail or delivery agency, except alcohol and tobacco, which must be in possession. All the goods will qualify for duty- and tax-free entry if they are declared at the initial return to Canada. To ensure there are no hassles at the border before leaving for Minot, here are a few tips:
• Remember to bring proper identification. Canadian citizens must present one of the following valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant documents when entering the U.S. by land: a valid passport, NEXUS card, Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card, enhanced driver’s licence (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC), or Secure Certificate of Indian Status.
• Visit a Canada Customs office to identify any valuables you may want to take to Minot from home. Items like cameras, jewellery and tablets can be itemized and recorded, so there will be no problems coming back across the border.
•Check with Canada Customs if you plan to change or improve any part of your vehicle. If your vehicle breaks down while in Minot, the repairs must be declared at customs and you may not have to pay the duties. But if you improve your vehicle (in other words, increase its value) Canada Customs law will no longer consider the vehicle Canadian.
For more information, visit www.cbsaasfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html.