We are making a trip across the boarder In May. Right now we are thinking Seattle and area? Any other recommendations besides Seattle for driving distance? We are going for a quick getaway, do some shopping, see some beautiful sites. Any other states exempt albertans from sales tax besides Washington??
Thanks

When your in Seattle you should visit mt Rainer for sure. It’s breathtaking

Montana and Oregon have no sales tax.

I’d recommend Butte Montana. Very old historic city, beautiful brick buildings. Lots of touristy things to see and do. Just google.

Wendy it is beautiful.

Montana!

We enjoy Whitefish, Kalispell and the neat little artsy town called Big Fork that’s on the lake. Very nice not paying state tax there as well. The drive is pretty and you can head down through Eureka and back through Carway border.

In Seattle, check out Pike Market. Awesome

Most states exempt you but you have to let them know

Montana has NO sales tax...we usually run across day shopping, but check your tags incase you get a Cdn. Border inspection agent whom wants to add duty to clothing, furniture, construction material (i.e. windows, doors, etc.) as their is NO duty if the purchased items are a product of Canada, USA or Mexico and only GST is charged, but it is YOUR responsibility to know this and likewise ensure this if charged and asked to pay the additional 19%.

As an example a few years back we priced out 3 windows at Home Depot in Lethbridge and the cost was $1850, the exact same windows at Home Depot in Great Falls MT. Where $450, and because these where made in Seattle Washington all that was charged at customs was the 5% GST, same as we'd have had to pay in Lethbridge and seeing how the dollar or exchange was better then that of today it was a no-brainer...but again it's up to the traveller to inform customs Canada that the item was made within the NAFTA policy as they simply add the extra duty and place the onus upon the traveller to know the exemptions and rates, which they often smugly quote if one asks or inquires that "it's on our website", basically Caveat Emptor

Jim wow awesome. Good to know thanks!!!

Kaile here is a duty calculator. If you scroll down and enter the difference between where it was made from NAFTA to elsewhere you can see the difference, but once again the onus is upon YOU to inform the customs officer of the items being duty free or NAFTA or else they'll charge duty on the entire receipts. https://www.crossbordershopping.ca/.../canadian-duty...

Jim is there outlet shopping malls around whitefish, kalispell? I can’t seem to find anything online. And since you seem to know the area figure you may have an idea??

Kaile I've not seen one. Majority if we are just shopping is going to Great Falls. If we go to Whitefish or Kalispell is most for relaxing or hanging at the lake or pubs in Whitefish or Flathead Lake

In Seattle, check out Pike Market. Awesome

Oregon has no state sales tax!!!

Selby in Washington you tell them you are from Alberta and show your drivers licence. No tax!!

Whitefish and Kalispell in Montana are great...head to Moose's saloon in Kalispell for amazing pizza. I actually like Spokane better than Seattle though. Great city.

I think Oregon is tax exempt too... bit far from Seattle but fantastic none the less.

Adults or kids involved?

Sheriss adults

Oregon is tax exempt. We just got back from Seattle and Pike Place is nice, but it’s crowded and not necessarily my favourite. We enjoyed a Mariners game there and that was about it. Portland, Beaverton, for shopping and touring and Astoria for some beautiful views. We also enjoy Flathead lake in Montana and the whole Kalispell area. If you go to Portland, stop at Multnomah Falls and head out to Crater Lake if you can. Beautiful!

If you are willing to pay the ridiculous exchange rate why worry about the tax? My suggestion would be to visit Canadian provinces and save the exchange. Your money will go farther. JMHO

Not really as even with the ridiculous exchange rate, the majority of goods are still cheaper to purchase outside of Canada.

i suppose it depends what you are buying. I haven’t found that to be the case. Enjoy your trip!

I guess it depends, with family in the US we usually travel aprox. 24-30 times per year, biggest penalty is if your also paying duty, but on the whole, clothing, household goods, various grocery items and home construction goods for the most part are priced far less then then 36% which would make it par with Cdn. Goods. But your correct, since electing a Liberal government our $$ has lost enormous value compared to other world currencies making almost everything more expensive both abroad and at home.

Sharon Also, not supporting the Trump economy.