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Travellers arriving in Canada may bring 1.14 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. After 48 hours abroad: CAD $800 exemption. After 24 hours: CAD $200. After 48+ hours: 1.14L spirits or 1.5L wine or 8.5L beer/ale. Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200g tobacco (must be 18+). All amounts in CAD; USD equivalent approximate.

200 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 7500 (CAD) must be declared on arrival.

CAD $20 (~USD 15). Canada's de minimis threshold is very low at CAD $20 for duties and taxes. The CUSMA/USMCA agreement raised the threshold for goods from the US and Mexico: CAD $150 for duties and CAD $40 for taxes. Commercial shipments above CAD $3,300 require formal entry.

Federal GST 5%. Five provinces operate Harmonised Sales Tax (HST 13-15%); Quebec adds QST 9.975%; British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Yukon add a separate PST. Most imports clear 5% GST at CBSA entry; the provincial component applies at retail sale.

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to Canada's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Obscene materials; Hate propaganda; Counterfeit goods. See the full prohibited list on this page.

Firearms (requires Firearms Declaration or import permit); Certain food, plant, and animal products (CFIA permits required); Tobacco products (provincial taxes apply). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into Canada accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)'s agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; Canada may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact Canada's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter Canada.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.