Roberta Aguirre
Canadian airport customs involve a series of procedures and requirements that travellers must adhere to when entering or exiting the country. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for screening all travellers arriving in Canada by air, including those on international and US flights. Travellers are required to confirm their identity, declare any goods, and comply with regulations regarding restricted and prohibited items. Customs procedures can vary depending on the airport and an individual's membership in trusted traveller programs like NEXUS. Additionally, preclearance agreements between Canada and other countries, such as the United States, facilitate the movement of people and goods across borders. Understanding Canadian airport customs is essential for a smooth travel experience and compliance with the country's regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Advance customs declaration | Can be done up to 72 hours before arriving in Canada via the ArriveCAN app or Advance Declaration feature |
| Customs declaration at the airport | Can be done at a kiosk or eGate, or using a Declaration Card |
| Group declarations | Up to 5 travellers can use a kiosk together |
| NEXUS members | Can use a dedicated kiosk or their passport at a regular PIK |
| Diplomats and their families | Must use the special services counter for in-person processing |
| Items that can be brought into Canada | Detailed rules exist for foreign travellers and returning citizens; some items may be subject to duty, taxes, restrictions, or prohibitions |
| Personal exemptions | Depend on the length of time spent outside Canada; in general, goods must be for personal or household use |
| Border services officers | May direct travellers to a secondary inspection area |
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What You'll Learn
Advance CBSA Declaration
The Advance CBSA Declaration is a feature within the ArriveCAN app that allows travellers to fill in their customs and immigration declaration in advance of their arrival in Canada. This can be done up to 72 hours before landing in Canada and saves time when travellers arrive at the airport.
To use the Advance CBSA Declaration, travellers can download the ArriveCAN app and input their information. The app will then prompt users to confirm their statements before submitting their declaration to the CBSA. A confirmation screen will appear, and users will also receive a confirmation email.
Upon arrival at the airport, travellers can use the new Express Lanes, further reducing time spent at the airport. It is important to note that travellers cannot use the Advance CBSA Declaration with NEXUS kiosks. If a traveller's declaration changes before arrival, they can edit their declaration at the airport kiosk or eGate.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) screens all travellers landing in Canada. Travellers arriving on US or international flights will need to confirm their identity with the CBSA and declare any goods they are bringing into the country. It is recommended to use the duty and taxes estimator to help estimate the amount of duty and taxes that will need to be paid when returning to Canada.
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NEXUS membership
The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travellers expedited processing when entering Canada by air. NEXUS members can use a dedicated kiosk when entering Canada by air.
If you are a NEXUS member, you can choose to use the dedicated NEXUS kiosk or use your passport at one of the regular primary inspection kiosks (PIKs). Diplomats and their families should continue to use the special services counter for in-person processing.
To save time at the border, travellers can use the Advance CBSA Declaration feature within the ArriveCAN app to fill in their customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours in advance. NEXUS members can also take advantage of new Express Lanes on arrival.
With US Customs, NEXUS cardholders and airline passengers with priority access may use a dedicated line by showing their boarding pass and a valid NEXUS card or Customs Declaration form.
In general, the goods you include in your personal exemption must be for your personal or household use. You do not need to pay duty on goods for personal use that are marked as made in Canada, the United States, or Mexico. While outside Canada, you can send gifts worth no more than CAD$60 to someone in Canada free of duty and taxes.
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Items prohibited in Canada
When entering Canada, you must declare any money or monetary instruments valued at $10,000 or more. This includes stocks, bonds, or cheques. If you are travelling with valuable items acquired in Canada or that you lawfully imported, you can have them identified by the Customs and Border Services Agency (CBSA) before you leave, so they are recognised as items you had before departing Canada.
All food, plants, and animal products must be declared when entering Canada. These items are regulated because they can carry foreign pests and diseases. If you fail to declare these items, they may be confiscated, or you may be fined or prosecuted.
Weapons and firearms must also be declared when entering Canada. Explosives, fireworks, and certain types of ammunition require written authorisation and permits. There are personal exemptions for some explosive items.
You cannot import obscene material, hate propaganda, or child pornography into Canada. Used or second-hand mattresses are also prohibited unless they have been cleaned and fumigated and come with a certificate verifying this.
There are import controls on certain items, such as clothing, handbags, and textiles, to monitor the effects of imports on Canadian manufacturers. These items may require an import permit, even if you qualify for a personal exemption.
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Personal exemptions
Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada must declare the goods they are bringing back from outside Canada. The customs declaration process may differ depending on how you are travelling. If you arrive at one of Canada's international airports, you can make an on-screen declaration by using a primary inspection kiosk or through eGate. You may also need to pay duty and taxes on these items. You can estimate the amount of duty and taxes you will need to pay when you return to Canada using the duty and taxes estimator.
You can claim goods worth up to CAN$200 without paying any duty and taxes. You must have the goods with you when you enter Canada. Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are not included in this exemption. If the goods you bring in are worth more than CAN$200 in total, you cannot claim this exemption and must pay full duties on all goods. You can also claim goods worth up to CAN$800 without paying any duty and taxes. You must have the tobacco products and alcoholic beverages with you when you enter Canada, but the rest of the goods can arrive later. You can bring back up to 1.5 litres of wine or 1.14 litres of alcoholic beverages or up to 8.5 litres of beer. You can bring back 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks. Some tobacco products and alcoholic beverages may be included in your personal exemption.
You can speed up your clearance by having your tobacco products available for inspection when you arrive. If you bring in more than your personal exemption, you will have to pay regular assessments on the excess amount. These regular assessments can include duty and taxes, as well as provincial or territorial fees. You may need an import permit, even if you qualify for a personal exemption, depending on the value, quantity or type of goods you intend to import.
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Preclearance
NEXUS cardholders and airline passengers with priority access can use a dedicated line at US customs by presenting their boarding pass and a valid NEXUS card or Customs Declaration form. Diplomats and their families should use the special services counter for in-person processing. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is also introducing its Mobile Passport Control program across Canadian Preclearance airports. This program allows travellers to submit their passport and travel information through a mobile application, expediting the travel process and creating a faster and more efficient experience.
It is important to note that specific rules and restrictions apply to items brought into Canada, and certain goods may be subject to duty, taxes, or prohibitions. Travellers can use the duty and tax estimator to determine the applicable amounts and should always declare any items they are unsure about. Additionally, travellers planning to take valuable items outside of Canada can have them identified by the Customs and Border Services Agency (CBSA) before their departure to facilitate their re-entry into the country.
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Frequently asked questions
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) screens all travellers landing in Canada. If you are arriving on an international flight, you can use a primary inspection kiosk (PIK) or eGate to confirm your identity and submit your customs declaration.
You can submit your customs declaration online using the Advance Declaration feature in the ArriveCAN app up to 72 hours before arriving in Canada. If you do not submit your declaration in advance, you can complete it at an airport kiosk or eGate.
NEXUS cardholders can use a dedicated line at US customs by showing their boarding pass and a valid Nexus card or Customs Declaration form. At Canadian airports, NEXUS members can use the dedicated NEXUS kiosk or their passport at a regular PIK.
If you are travelling outside Canada with valuable items, you can take them to a CBSA office before you leave to have them identified on a wallet-sized card as items that were in your possession before departing Canada.
In some cases, you may need to pay duties and taxes on items you bring into Canada. Your eligibility for an exemption depends on the length of time you have been outside Canada.
