Departure, Arrival and Customs

Is it dangerous to travel?

Canadians make many millions of trips every year out of the country and most of the time these trips happen without any trouble at all. If you do get into difficulty, the Canadian missions in foreign countries are there to help you. If you use common sense and good judgment, you should have no problem.

Foreign Affairs Canada regularly posts travel warnings on its website. Be sure to check it before you decide to travel abroad.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

Is there anything I can do to be well-prepared?

There are some excellent pamphlets that the Government of Canada has written to prepare travellers. One is called “Bon Voyage, But… Information for the Canadian Traveller”. Much of the information in these questions and answers comes from this source. You can view the pamphlet online, pick up a copy at any passport office, or contact:

Enquiries Service Foreign Affairs Canada 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2 Telephone: 1-800-267-8376 Email: enqserv@international.gc.ca

Information can also be found on the Foreign Affairs Canada website.

Another good pamphlet about what you can bring back into Canada is called “I Declare”(pdf) which you can get from the same places or view online.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

What is Canada Customs?

Canada Customs is part of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which is an agency of the Canadian federal government. The CBSA’s job is to monitor and control the movement of people and goods, including animals and plants, in and out of Canada.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

How does Canada Customs know what I bring back?

You must go through Canada Customs when you come back to Canada. On the airplane back to Canada, or at land border crossings, you will be given Canada Customs forms to fill out. You must complete these forms.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

What happens to these Canada Customs forms?

When you land at the airport, you will have to go through a Customs check and hand in your Customs form before you are allowed to leave the airport. Similarly, at a border crossing, you will not be allowed to cross into Canada until you pass a Customs check and hand in the Canada Customs form. The Canada Customs staff may ask you questions about the information on your form. They may ask you to produce receipts. They can search your luggage and in some cases, they can even search you! It is very important that you be absolutely honest and accurate about what you are bringing back to Canada. You can get into very serious trouble if you are dishonest.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

Are there limits to how much stuff I can bring back to Canada with me?

Yes, there are:

• If you have been away from Canada only 24 hours, then you can only bring back $200 worth of goods in Canadian dollars, duty-free.
• If you have been away 48 hours, you can bring back items worth up to $800 Canadian, duty-free.
• If you have been away for 7 days or more, then you may bring back $800 Canadian worth of things, duty-free.

NOTE: You can include tobacco and alcohol in your 48-hour or your 7-day exemption, but not in your 24-hour exemption. See the Canada Border Services Agency publication “I Declare” for details.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

Are there some things that I can’t bring back into Canada?

Yes, there are quite a number of things that you can’t bring back into Canada. You can’t bring back:

• obscene materials,
• hate propaganda,
• most weapons, including guns, and
• goods that might harm the environment, among other things.

See the Canada Border Services Agency publication “I Declare” for details.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

What about more common things and souvenirs?

There are some things you might buy as souvenirs that you can’t bring into Canada. For example, it is illegal to bring back:

• anything made of crocodile or python skin,
• ivory bracelets or carvings,
• coral jewelry,
• tortoise shells,
• orchids, or
• parrots.

These things may be made from endangered species. Canada has signed an international treaty called the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which tries to prevent trade in products made from more than 30,000 species of endangered wild animals and plants.

For more information, see the Canada Border Services Agency publication “I Declare”.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

Can I bring back anything made of plants or animals?

Canadians must declare all plant and animal products brought back into the country. Canada Customs will restrict or prevent Canadians from bringing back to Canada any items that might harm Canada’s agriculture or forestry industries or could harm human health or safety.

For more information, see the Canada Border Services Agency publication “I Declare”.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

Why does Canada Customs make such a big deal about bringing back plant and animal products?

To give you an example of how serious this can be, a single imported sausage brought foot-and-mouth disease into Canada, meaning that thousands of cattle had to be destroyed and costing Canadians more than one billion dollars. Animal and plant products may bring pests and diseases into Canada that threaten human health as well as our forests, crops, livestock, and our multi-billion dollar export business that Canada’s economy depends on. It really is a big deal and it is in the best interests of all Canadians that we obey these laws.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

What can I do if I am not sure about what I can bring into Canada?

If you have something specific in mind that you think you would like to buy abroad that is made of meat or dairy products, animal skins or bird feathers, you can contact the Border Information Service (BIS) before you leave Canada. Call 1-800-461-9999 to reach the automated service 24 hours a day, year-round or to speak to an agent during office hours. If you are already outside Canada, you can call (204) 983-3500 or (506) 636-5064.

Information can also be accessed on the Canada Border Services Agency website.

Last Reviewed: August 2012

What happens if I bring back an item that is not allowed?

The prohibited item will be taken away from you at Canada Customs. There are other penalties as well, like fines and even jail sentences.

As well as your own purchases, be very careful about bringing back any packages, envelopes, and parcels for other people from abroad. You never know what might be in them.

Last Reviewed: August 2012