Who We Are
About TariffHackers
We help American consumers understand how US tariffs affect the prices they pay every day — and how to legally save money by shopping across the northern border.
Our Mission
Price transparency is a consumer right
When the US government imposes tariffs on imported goods, the cost doesn't disappear — it's quietly added to the price on your receipt. Most American consumers have no idea that a 270% duty-rate quota on Canadian dairy, a 25% Section 232 steel tariff, or a 20% softwood lumber duty is why their grocery bill and hardware store receipts have crept up.
TariffHackers exists to make that hidden cost visible. We research real prices on both sides of the border, convert them at current exchange rates, and show you exactly where the gap exists. No spin, no politics — just data that helps you decide where to spend your money.
We believe cross-border shopping is a legitimate, legal, and underutilized tool for American households living within reach of Canada. This site is our attempt to make that tool data-driven.
How We Get Our Data
Research methodology
Our prices are sourced by manually checking major Canadian retailers (Loblaws, Costco Canada, Canadian Tire, LCBO, Home Hardware, and others) and comparing them against equivalent US retail prices at national chains. We record the Canadian price in CAD and convert to USD using the current interbank exchange rate.
Tariff rates are drawn from the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and the United States Trade Representative's published Section 232 and Section 301 actions. We cite the most commonly applied rate for above-quota or general imports — specific transactions may differ.
Manual verification
Prices are checked by hand against real retailer websites and flyers.
Regular updates
We review prices monthly and after any significant tariff or exchange-rate change.
Transparent rates
Every product shows its tariff rate and the exchange rate used in the calculation.
Know Before You Go
US Customs duty-free allowances
US citizens and residents returning from Canada can bring back goods duty-free up to the following limits. These are per person — families travelling together can combine their individual exemptions.
| Trip Length | Duty-Free Limit |
|---|---|
| Under 24 hours | $200 per person |
| 24–48 hours | $200 per person |
| 48+ hours | $800 per personBest Rate |
What you can (and can't) bring back
✅ Generally Allowed
- ✓Groceries and food products (most)
- ✓Clothing and apparel
- ✓Building materials (lumber, steel, aluminum)
- ✓Auto parts and tools
- ✓Alcohol — 1 litre duty-free per person (48+ hrs)
- ✓Beer/wine — up to 24 cans or 1.14L within exemption
- ✓Maple syrup and Canadian specialty foods
- ✓Personal electronics for personal use
🚫 Restricted or Prohibited
- ✕Firearms and weapons (without prior ATF approval)
- ✕Certain fruits and vegetables (agricultural restrictions)
- ✕More than $10,000 USD in undeclared cash
- ✕Counterfeit or pirated goods
- ✕Commercial quantities intended for resale
- ✕Endangered species products (CITES-protected items)
Rules change. Always verify current CBP regulations at cbp.gov before your trip.
Tips for smarter border crossings
NEXUS Card
If you cross the border regularly, the NEXUS Trusted Traveler Program ($50 USD, valid 5 years) lets you use dedicated lanes and skip most questions at the border. It pays for itself on your first few trips.
Currency Exchange
Avoid airport and hotel kiosks — they charge 5–10% fees. Use your bank's debit card at a Canadian ATM for near-spot-rate exchange, or exchange cash at a Scotiabank or TD branch near the border before you shop.
Keep Your Receipts
US Customs will ask for receipts for items you purchased. Organized receipts speed up crossing and prove the value of your goods. Take a photo as backup.
Declare Everything
Always declare what you purchased — US Customs officers are not punitive about honest declarations. Failing to declare and getting caught results in fines and potential seizure of goods.
Time Your Crossing
Border wait times spike Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Aim for Tuesday–Thursday mornings or use the CBP BorderWait app to check live wait times before you leave.
Pack a Cooler
Dairy, meat, and perishables must stay cool. Bring a hard cooler with ice packs — Canadian dairy and specialty foods are among the biggest savings per dollar, and they need to stay fresh for the drive home.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Prices are estimates. TariffHackers conducts manual price research, but retail prices change frequently. Always verify current prices at the retailer before making a trip.
This is not financial or legal advice. Border crossing regulations, duty-free limits, and customs rules can change without notice. We are not attorneys or customs brokers. Verify all regulations at cbp.gov or consult a licensed customs broker before making decisions based on this site.
Tariff rates may vary. The rates shown are the most commonly applied import duties based on publicly available HTS data. Your specific goods may be classified differently and attract different rates.
Exchange rates fluctuate. We use a representative rate (1 CAD = 0.72 USD) for consistency, but the actual rate when you shop will differ. A weaker Canadian dollar means even greater savings; a stronger one reduces them.
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