Most of the items you bring
into Canada for your personal use during your visit will be
considered "personal baggage" by Canada Customs.
Some examples are food, fishing tackle, cars, boats and motors,
snowmobiles, sports equipment, computers, and cameras.
You are not allowed to carry
a weapon, such as a firearm or mace or any other spray to
be used against humans, for self-defense in Canada. Click
here for more information on firearms.
Canada Custom's chief concern
is to establish that you really are bringing the goods in
for your personal use. If you are going to be carrying large
amounts of consumable products, such as food or fuel, please
contact a Canada Customs office before
you begin your trip to determine what special measures you
should take.
Gifts
You may bring bona fide gifts
worth up to Canadian $60.00 each per person, unlimited gifts,
for your friends in Canada without paying duty, provided these
do not consist of tobacco or alcoholic beverages.
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Alcohol
Those meeting the age requirements
of the province or territory of entry (19 yrs. in most provinces;
18 yrs. In Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec) may bring into the
country either:
- 1.5 litres of liquor or wine;
OR
- 24 cans or bottles at 355
milliliters each (12 ounces) of beer or ale
To include alcohol in your personal
exemption you have to:
- carry it in your personal
luggage or checked baggage;
- meet the minimum age requirement
of the province or territory you enter;
- not be claiming any other
alcoholic beverages in your personal exemption; and
- be returning after an absence
of at least 48 hours if you are a Canadian resident.
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Tobacco
To bring in tobacco products,
you must be at least 18 years old, except in Newfoundland,
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario
and British Columbia, where you must be 19 years old. Visitors
meeting the age requirements of the province or territory
of entry may bring the following amounts of tobacco into Canada
without paying duty:
UP TO:
- 200 cigarettes
- 50 cigars
- 200 grams (7 ounces) of loose
tobacco
- 200 tobacco sticks
Any additional quantities are
subject to duties, provincial fees and taxes. Some provinces
may also limit the total amount of tobacco that
may be brought into their jurisdiction.
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Drugs for Medical Use
Prescription drugs should be
clearly identified and carried in the original packaging with
a label specifying both what they are, and that they are being
used under prescription. It is also a good idea to bring a
copy of your prescription and a contact number for your Doctor.
Diabetics and others who have
to bring syringes with them should carry some evidence of
their need for using these.
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Communications
Equipment
If you have an American operator's
license, you may use your aircraft, marine or amateur radio
while visiting Canada without a Canadian license. All other
types of radio transmitting stations may only be used in Canada
if accompanied by a letter of registration from Industry Canada's
Radio Regulatory and Broadcasting Branch. Call (613) 998-3372
for more information.
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Pets
All pets must be accompanied
by their owners when entering Canada. Owners of dogs and cats
must bring a rabies certificate issued by a licensed
American or Canadian Veterinarian clearly identifying
the pet (breed, coloring, name) and certifying that it has
been vaccinated against rabies some time during the previous
36 months prior to crossing the border. An exception is made
for puppies or kittens that are younger than three months
old but they must appear in good health.
If you are traveling with your
pet(s) to Canada via airplane, please be advised that the
airline may ask for a health certificate from your veterinarian
before allowing your pet(s) to board the airplane. It is advised
that you contact the airline you will be traveling with to
ensure whether or not a health certificate is required.
Seeing-eye Dogs are allowed into
Canada without restriction. Canadian law also guarantees that
anyone using seeing-eye dogs may bring them into restaurants,
hotels and other businesses.
For information on pets, agriculture
or forestry items, please contact any one of the following:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA) Import Service Centres (ISC):
Note: Toll-free numbers apply only within Canada and the
United States
Eastern ISC (Montreal):
Tel. (877) 493-0468 or
Central ISC (Toronto):
Tel. (800) 835-4486 or (905) 612-6282 (7:00 a.m. to 12:00
p.m. Eastern Time) Fax. (905) 612-6280
Western ISC (Vancouver)
Tel. (888) 732-6222 or (604) 541-3370 (7:00 a.m. to 12:00
p.m. Pacific Time) Fax. (604) 541-3373
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Endangered
Species
A CITES (Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species) permit is required for any endangered
species brought into Canada, including those kept as pets,
and for any items made from them, such as coats, handbags
or shoes. For further information on how to obtain one of
these permits, please call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
at (703) 358-2104.
For more information about Canadian
laws regarding endangered species, please contact the:
Administrator
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
Canadian Wildlife Service
Tel. (819) 997-1840
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Plants
There are many measures in place
to prevent plant pests from entering Canada and causing serious
damage to crops and forests. As as rule, it is probably better
not to bring any live plants, bulbs, seeds, or other propagative
material with you into Canada. If you do, you should first
contact one of the CFIA Import Service Centres listed on this
page. You should also check with the nearest office of the
US Department of Agriculture before your departure to determine
whether there are any special requirements for or restrictions
on taking plants from your area with you.
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Restrictions
on Bringing Firearms Into Canada
Canada has strict laws governing
the cross-border movement, possession, and use of firearms.
All goods, including firearms must be declared to Revenue
Canada Customs at the first point of entry.
A visitor may import a non-restricted
firearm, such as a sporting rifle and shotgun, ONLY
for the following purposes:
- sporting or hunting use while
in Canada;
- bona fide competition use;
- transport through Canada to
another country;
- protection against wildlife
in remote areas of Canada (excluding National Parks) if
the Customs Officer is satisfied that the circumstances
warrant the firearm's importation.
No special documentation is currently
required to import non-restricted firearms. Only non-restricted
firearms may be brought in for hunting purposes. These non-restricted
firearms are sporting rifles and shotguns that are at least
660 mm (approximately 26 inches) long, have barrels that are
at least 470 mm (approximately 18.5 inches) long, and do not
otherwise fall into a restricted or prohibited category.
Most handguns are classed as
restricted firearms and may be imported only for use at approved
shooting competitions. An Authorization to Transport
is required. The form may be obtained by calling toll-free
(800) 731-4000.
Requests for an Authorization
to Transport restricted firearms (e.g. most handguns) through
Canada to other parts of the US, including Alaska, or another
country are normally denied. Before leaving for Canada, visitors
who require an Authorization to Transport should discuss their
options with a firearms officer for the Canadian province
you intend to enter.
Certain handguns and all automatic
weapons are classed as Prohibited firearms and are
banned from entering Canada. Severe penalties and confiscation
apply to the possession of illegal firearms in Canada.
The Government of Canada is actively
reviewing possible changes to the rules for the importation
of firearms. Before importing a firearm, you should check
with a Firearms Officer. For more information, call (800)
731-4000 or click
here for information transporting firearms to Canada
For further information on current
procedures regarding the entry of firearms, you may write
to:
Revenue Canada
Interdepartmental Programs, Section A
Connaught Building, 5th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
CANADA K1A 0L5
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Canada
Customs Regional Office numbers:
| Calgary, Alberta
|
(403) 292-8750
|
Edmonton, Alberta
|
(403) 495-3400
|
| Halifax, Nova Scotia
|
(902) 426-2911
|
Hamilton, Ontario
|
(905) 308-8715
|
| Moncton, New Brunswick
|
(506) 851-7020
|
Montreal, Quebec
|
(514) 283-9900
|
| Ottawa, Ontario
|
(613) 993-0534
|
Quebec City, Quebec
|
(418) 648-4445
|
| Toronto, Ontario
|
(416) 973-8022
|
Vancouver, British Columbia
|
(604) 666-0545
|
| Windsor, Ontario
|
(519) 257-6400
|
Winnipeg, Manitoba
|
(204) 983-6004
|
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Transporting
Goods Through Canada
Goods "in transit"
(but not handguns) may be brought through Canada by Americans
seeking a convenient route to other parts of the mainland
US or Alaska. To facilitate your border crossings, you should
carry three copies of a list of all the goods you are bringing
with you, including values and serial numbers if applicable.
Consumable goods, such as alcohol, tobacco and food should
be packed in containers that can be corded and sealed by Canada
Customs at the time of entry.
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