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I've never lived right at the border for this to be an issue, but wouldn't the foreign currency exchange fees negate any benefit of going to costco up there

My parents own a place in Canada (NB not QC, full disclosure), but it's also worth mentioning that lots of things are slightly more expensive in Canada. I'm not sure about Costco prices in Canada, but I'm not sure you'd get much savings.

Also the U.S. has tightened up rules about brining in produce, so I'd double check that before buying any of those.

Given the time it can take to cross a bigger border crossing, it probably will make it less efficient.

I can’t speak to specific crossings but can say that It is not uncommon for people living near the border to cross frequently for shopping, especially when the exchange rate and/or prices make it advantageous.

Keep in mind that right now the exchange rate greatly favors the US dollar. So good for crossing in the Canadian direction.

Costco in Colchester is closer to Burke than Sherbrooke.

Would there be any limitations on the things you could bring back like eggs, cheeses, fruits, etc?

You sure it's closer? May be closer straight distance wise, but driving wise including border crossing I doubt you'll be saving much time.

You moved to Burke, driving a long ass way for anything is now part of your lifestyle lol.

Probably not worth it just for Costco. Do a monthly trip to the VT Costco and buy locally for other goods.

Now that the border has fully reopened, crossing it is not an issue at all. There are tight restrictions on what types of produce and goods are allowed across the border, mostly cheese, citrus, tomatoes, anything with soil (plants), etc. So as someone else mention, research restrictions before you buy.

It's not uncommon for me to cross the border and see a bag of tomatoes on the concrete blocks next to the border patrol agent. It's a bummer.

The exchange rate is in your favor by 25% although things are a bit more expensive there and taxes are higher ~12% sales tax I think. Probably wouldn’t save much. I have been to the ikea in Montreal because ikea but that’s it.

Nearly everyone in Quebec speaks English - not all, but close to it. The border crossing is generally very quick and painless. Make sure you have a passport, passport card, EDL, or Nexxus card. We go to Montreal often; the only time I have gone up specifically for shopping is to Ikea. I know there are restrictions on some food products, tobacco, and alcohol but I'm not familiar with the specifics.

You gotta ask yourself, do you really want to eat Canadian bacon and Moose-flavored maple syrup?

I also just realized, you're probably closer to the BJ's Wholesale in West Lebanon, NH, than to the Costco in Sherbrooke. That's going to be much easier for you.

If you spend less than 48 hours in Canada, there’s a 3% tax added onto everything you purchased there above $200 total (not per item) at the border crossing. If you stay longer, it’s everything over $800. You do still have to pay Canadian taxes at the point of sale, and they’re not refundable.

You will have to have your food inspected at the border. All fruits/veg need to be inspected and can only enter if marked as a product of Canada. A lot of meats can’t enter. Exceptions are pork, chicken, and some beef if there’s proof that the country of origin in Canada. Meat regulations change frequently based on disease outbreaks, so they may be different each time. Prepackaged commercial food that’s still sealed is almost always allowed, but still needs to be inspected. Bakery goods and most cheeses are allowed.

Canadian bacon AKA pea-meal bacon AKA ham

I think you'd be better off going to Colchester. I live in Sutton, but am closer to West Burke. Over toward Colchester, there's more people, so the roads have 1:a higher priority for plowing and 2: more workers to plow them, so in winter going that way will be a safer option (after you reach Montpelier, RT 2 can be a nightmare)

Up our way, we've got fewer plow trucks running, never been across the border, so I can't speak for three Canadians roads. Plus, between Montpelier and Burlington area, you can pickup damn near anything else you might need, make one trip once a month for loads of stuff.

I have family in Lyndon and they go to the Colchester Costco 1x a month or so. You're going to have to get used to driving for things living in Burke....

Bjs isn’t Costco though.

Food is a no-go across the border unless you like hassle. Full stop. Any fruits or veggies? Nope, needs all kinds of scrutiny. Meats and dairy will get you questioned and dumped off. It used to be alcohol too, but now you can bring some wines or beers across.

Shop local.

I use Costco in Colchester. But I use it to buy 3 months worth of TP and paper towels, it's not a great place to shop for food, unless you use bulk rice or flour or have a big party planned where you need burgers and dogs for 100 peeps.

Are folks particularly attached to one versus the other?

My folks sometimes go up to the Costco in Quebec from St J. Favorable exchange rate and refund of sales tax are advantages to going up there. Plus, they have stuff you cannot get in American Costco. My parents know the rules and have no problems. Oh yeah, and there’s tons of other cool and interesting things to do up there (spa Nordic station, cycling, boulangeries etc etc)

Costco is much better for a lot of reasons. Especially if you use it for more than food. They also pay their employees unlike BJ’s. Costco people are usually pretty loyal.

Um. No it isn’t. Appx 90 miles to colchester. 80 miles to Sherbrooke. Drive time Sherbrooke Costco is faster - however - as someone else pointed out, after taking the crossing time into account - it is likely a wash. I would add that in addition there are certain items restricted at the border and quantity of some items may require paying a tarif. Personally I would just find somewhere local to shop. Especially for food.

As others have said, not really worth it for groceries, but don't let that stop you from visiting Canada for other reasons! It's so nice to get out of the country once in a while and see things from a (slightly) different perspective, and Montreal and Quebec City are awesome. You do need a passport or passport card.

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We live in Jay VT and shopping in Canada is such a nice treat. Yes Burlington and Lebanon may be similar distances/times but Canada is a different country with different cultures and different food. It’s worth it just to go. Northern VT is very rural where southern Canada is much more populated. So it’s easy to get an international, more urban, feeling without driving too far. Crossing the boarder has never been a issue for us. We even buy our building materials there since the exchange rate is in our favor.

No, no it is not.

Learn French? It's respectful, but not necessary.

Wait at the border? Yes. Both ways. Especially at convenient times.

Is it a hassle? Absolutely. Most meat/veggies/foodstuffs are a no-go to cross the border, so you run the risk of having the border authorities toss out your newly purchased groceries.