Duty Free US/Canada
Cross with confidence. Don't be surprised at the gate.
About
Americans shopping in Canada face a complex web of customs regulations, duty calculations, and declaration requirements. Duty Free helps you track purchases, understand your exemptions, calculate potential duty, and prepare for the customs booth—all without an internet connection.
Key Features
- Smart Purchase Tracking: Capture purchases via barcode scanning, receipt OCR, or manual entry
- Real-Time Warnings: Know immediately if an item is prohibited, restricted, or affects your NEXUS eligibility
- Exemption Management: Track your $200 or $800 duty-free allowance and optimize across family members
- Duty Estimation: See estimated duty before you reach the border
- Declaration Prep: Generate reports and verbal scripts for the customs booth
- NEXUS-Aware: Explicit warnings about anything that could affect your NEXUS eligibility
- Offline-First: Works without internet—perfect for cross-border travel
- Privacy-Focused: All data stays on your device. No account required.
How It Works
1. Start your trip — Enter your departure and return dates to determine your exemption tier
2. Add purchases — Scan barcodes, photograph receipts, or enter items manually
3. Review warnings — See real-time alerts about prohibited items and NEXUS implications
4. Declare with confidence — Generate a declaration summary and know exactly what to say at the booth
Pricing
Free: All features included. No hidden costs.
Legal & Accessibility
Learn more about how we handle your data, terms of use, and accessibility features:
- Privacy Policy - How we protect your data
- Terms of Service - Terms and conditions for using the app
- Accessibility - How we support all users with accessibility features
- Age Suitability - Age recommendations and content information
Support
Questions or feedback? Contact us at support@thefoxandunicorn.com
Frequently Asked Questions
- What exemption do I get?
- If you're abroad for less than 48 hours, you get a $200 exemption (all-or-nothing). If you're abroad for 48 hours or more, you get an $800 exemption (can be used partially). The app automatically calculates which tier applies based on your trip dates.
- Does this app work for Canadians entering the US?
- This app is designed specifically for US residents returning from Canada. It focuses on US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rules and exemptions.
- Will I still need to fill out a CBP declaration form?
- Yes. Duty Free helps you prepare but does not replace official CBP forms (6059B, Mobile Passport, or APC kiosks). The app generates summaries and verbal scripts to make the process easier.
- How does family exemption pooling work?
- Family members traveling together can combine their exemptions. A family of four with 48+ hour trips has a combined $3,200 exemption. The app helps optimize which purchases to assign to which traveler.
- What happens if I have NEXUS?
- The app includes first-class NEXUS support. You'll see explicit warnings about anything that could affect your NEXUS eligibility—like bringing alcohol on trips under 48 hours, purchasing from duty-free shops, or attempting to bring cannabis (which results in permanent revocation).
- Do I need an internet connection?
- No. The app is designed to work completely offline. Product lookups use cached data, and all your trip information is stored locally on your device.
- Is my data secure?
- All data stays on your device. We don't have servers, don't require accounts, and cannot access your purchase history or trip information.
- What items are prohibited?
- The app includes a comprehensive database of prohibited and restricted items including certain foods, plants, weapons, and more. You'll see warnings as you add items to your trip.