Duty free border crossing question

[Spike]

I live in WA state and make the trek to BC fairly often, usually for camping or skiing in Whistler. I'm going to be in Bellingham, WA for a few days this week due to work. I'm curious if I can drive across the border, flip a U, and then come back through and shop at the duty free. I have shopped there many times but it has always been before a trip (on the way into Canada) and coming back so it's been a "legitimate" crossing. I'm wondering if they will have any issue with a quick over and back just for some cheap booze.

I do know there are rules on going into Canada. If I stop at the duty free on the US side I'm always asked how long I'll be staying up there as they require something like a 2 night min stay to shop. However, when driving back (shopping on the Canadian side) I've never been asked how long I was out of the country for.

Just curious if anyone has done this and what the result was. I'm only considering it because I'll be right there and I always like getting around the steep liquor tax WA state has. I remember picking up 3 1L bottles of Absolut for ~$7 US a piece compared to the $22 we pay for a 750! But that was when the US dollar was worth a little more but still...

Thanks!

 

[ravana]

Personal Allowances for Americans Returning to the US after Less than 48 Hrs:
After a stay of less than 48 hours in Canada, a U.S. citizen or resident may return to the U.S. with:

* US$200 worth of goods per person, tax and duty free
* 150 ml (5 oz) alcohol and 10 cigars (non Cuban)
* Any purchases in excess of the US$200 allowance may be subject to duties and taxes.
* US citizens may buy these amounts daily.

http://gocanada.about.com/od/faqscrossingtheborde1/p/duty_free.htm

 

[Spike]

Doh, 5oz would not quite be what I'm looking for. Though I could still buy a few liters and even if they charge me duty I'm still paying 20-40% less than what I can get here.

Thanks for the info!