Having found myself very close to the Canadian border (like just a few miles from the Blue Water Bridge) I figure their is probably one in the area, but I have never visited one before, what can I expect? I have heard stories about under cover ICE agents hanging around the parking lots, and having people who "bought to much" pulled over, fined, and all their stuff being confiscated, does this happen? If so what is the arbitrary limit? What kind of merchandise can I find there?, is it just booze, and cigarettes, or is other stuff there to? How good are the prices really? Can I carry there?, or is it somehow federally off limits? Is state sales tax still collected? How does the whole "duty free" thing work?

Someone told you ICE agents are working legal OUTBOUND alcohol sales?

Yes.

Duty Free on our side is for people going to Canada. They have one way tire spikes to force you to cross the bridge after entering the duty free lot.



Mostly it's just giant bottles/cases of alcohol at crap prices (good for Canadians, as there's no Ontario taxes on it), overprice cigarettes, chocolate and other garbage gifts (perfume, purses, stuff no person without a coke habit and a mistress buys).



Carry is an effective no, as you will be entering Canada afterwards, where handguns without a Canadian permit (and approved import papers) are a big fat felony, but a Canadian one, so usually a big fine and your pistol confiscated (as opposed to our obsession with jailing people) along with being banned from entering Canada again for several months/years, and being placed on a "vehicle search required" list.



Sales tax is collected as normal, though Canadians don't mind because ours is less than in Ontario.