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Canada customs regulations

It is important to know about customs regulations before traveling to Canada to avoid legal issues and potential fines. As you know, customs regulations widely depend on the country. Before traveling to (or from) Canada make sure to check the allowance and limits for the next things:

  • Alcohol and tobacco
  • Currency
  • Medicines (especially those containing drugs)
  • Animals
  • Cultural artifacts
  • Plants, fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products

Check the information below to be sure that you are complying with Canada customs regulations.

Import regulations in Canada

Duty-free allowance

Tobacco limit

Restricted to travellers 18 years and over. All of the following:

  • 200 cigarettes;
  • 50 cigars;
  • 200 grams of manufactured tobacco;
  • and 200 tobacco sticks.

Note: in order to qualify for a personal exemption on tobacco, all packages must be stamped "duty paid Canada droit acquitté".

Bringing alcohol

Restricted to travellers 18 years and over in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec, and 19 years in other provinces of Canada. One of the following:

  • 1.5 litres of wine;
  • 1.14 litres of spirits;
  • or 8.5 litres of beer or ale.

Cash limit

  • Any amount up to CAD$10,000 (or foreign equivalent) can be freely imported or exported. Travellers must report anything over this amount to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) when they arrive or leave. For further information on this recommendation, please visit the CBSA Travelling with CAN$10,000 or more.

Other Goods

  • Travellers may bring 'personal baggage' for their own use. This includes clothing, camping and sport goods, cameras and computers. These must leave Canada when the traveller leaves.
  • Gifts can be imported if each gift is valued at CAD$60 or less. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or commercial goods may not be claimed as gifts.
  • Seeing-eye dogs are allowed into Canada without restrictions.

Prohibited items

The following are prohibited from being imported into Canada:

  • Child pornography;
  • Hate propaganda;
  • Obscene material;
  • Counterfeit coins;
  • Goods with a misleading country of origin; and
  • White phosphorus matches.

Restricted items

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

  • Firearms and weapons must be declared, and require permits. For further information, please visit the CBSA Import and Export a Firearm or Weapon into Canada.
  • Explosives and fireworks must be declared, and require permits. For further information, please visit the CBSA Administration of the Explosives Act.
  • Vehicles are subject to importation requirements. For further information, please visit the CBSA Importation of Vehicles.
  • Used or second-hand mattresses are prohibited unless they have a certificate verifying that they have been cleaned and fumigated. For further information, please visit the CBSA Used or Second-Hand Mattresses and Materials Therefrom.
  • Certain antiquities considered to have historical significance to their country of origin require export permits. For further information, please visit Import of Cultural Property.
  • Clothing, handbags, and textiles may require import permits. For further information, please visit Global Affairs Canada Export and Import Controls.
  • Certain health products, such as prescription drugs, may be subject to restriction. For further information, please visit Health Canada Import Requirements for Health Products.
  • Food, plant, and animal products must be declared. For further information, please visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
  • Endangered species of plants and animals require import permits. For further information, please visit Environment and Climate Change Canada Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
  • All pets are subject to importation requirements, and some are prohibited. For further information, please visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Importing or Travelling with Pets.
  • Radio communication equipment may require authorisation from Industry Canada.

Information has been updated: .