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Bringing
Goods into Canada for Personal Use
Most things that you bring into Canada for your personal use
during your visit will be considered "personal baggage"
by Canada Customs. Some examples of personal baggage are food,
fishing tackle, cars, boats and motors, snowmobiles, fuel,
sports equipment, television sets, musical instruments, 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-defence
in Canada. There is more information about the restrictions
on importing firearms to Canada below.
Canada
Customs' 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.
You
may also bring bona fide gifts worth up to Canadian $60 each
for your friends in Canada without paying duty, provided these
do not consist of tobacco or alcoholic beverages.
Information
about Canada Customs & Revenue Agency, including excise
and GST, is of a general nature only and is not intended to
constitute advice for any specific situation. For particular
questions, the reader is invited to contact Canada Customs
Restrictions on items for Personal Use
Alcohol
Those meeting the age requirements of the province or territory
of entry (19 in most provinces; 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and
Quebec) may bring into the country either:
1
liters (40 ounces) of liquor or wine; or
24 containers, at 355 milliliters (12 ounces) each, or their
equivalent, of beer or ale Any alcohol in excess of these
amounts will be subject to duty, provincial fees and taxes,
except where it is illegal to bring in more alcohol than specified
above.
Tobacco
Visitors meeting the age requirements of the province or territory
of entry are allowed to bring the following amounts of tobacco
into Canada without paying duty:
up
to 200 cigarettes,
50 cigars,
200 grams (7 ounces) of loose tobacco
and 200 tobacco sticks.
Any additional quantities are subject to duties and provincial
fees and taxes. Some provinces may also limit the total amount
of tobacco that can be brought into their jurisdiction.
Drugs
for Medical Use
Prescription drugs should be clearly identified and should
be carried in the original packaging with a label that specifies
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 also
carry some evidence of their need for using these.
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 Canada Customs
& Revenue Agency customs at the first point of entry.
A
visitor may import a non-restricted firearm, such as a sporting
rifle or shotgun, only for the following purposes:
sporting
or hunting use while in Canada
bonafide competition use;
transport though 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.
Handguns
are classed as restricted firearms and may be imported only
for use at approved shooting competitions. A Permit to Carry,
which may be obtained from Canadian police agency, is required.
Requests
for a Permit to Transport restricted firearms (e.g. most handguns)
through Canada to other parts of the U.S., including Alaska,
or another country are normally denied. Visitors should discuss
their options with Canada Customs & Revenue Agency customs
officials before leaving for Canada.
Certain
handguns and all automatic weapons are classed as prohibited
firearms and are banned from entering Canada. Severe penalities
and confiscation apply to the possession of illegal firearms
in Canada.
Before
importing a firearm, you should check with a firearms officer
for the Canadian province or territory you intend to enter.
For more information and the addresses of these officials,
see the brochure Importing a Firearm or Weapon into Canada,
or Memorandum D19-13-2, Importation of Offensive Weapons.
You may get both of these publications at any Canada Customs
& Revenue Agency customs office.
The
Government of Canada is actively reviewing possible changes
to the rules for the importation of firearms. Prior to any
visit, be sure to ask either customs or a provincial firearms
officer as to whether new requirements have been put into
place.
Radio
Communication Equipment
If you have an American operator's licence, you may use your
aircraft, marine or amateur radio while visiting Canada without
a Canadian licence. 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.
Transporting
Goods through Canada
Goods "in transit" to another country (but not handguns)
may be brought through Canada. 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.
Meetings,
Conventions & Incentive Travel
Special arrangements are available for Companies wishing to
hold business meetings or conventions in Canada. For a copy
of the brochure Welcome to Canada-Your Guide to Bringing a
Convention, Meeting, Trade Show, or Exhibition across the
Canadian Border click here.
Booklets
explaining aspects of Canada's goods and services tax (GST)/
harmonizing sales tax (HST) relevant to those holding business
meetings or conventions are available. These include: GST
/ HST Information for Non-Resident Meeting Planners and Convention
Organizers and How the GST / HST Applies to Non-Resident Incentive
Travel Organizers. Call the GST / HST information line at
(613) 990-8584 to order your copy.
Leaving
Items in Canada between Visits
If you will be making more than one trip to Canada over a
specific period of time and intend to leave goods in Canada
between these visits, you must obtain an E99 permit from Canada
Customs when you enter the country. Please note that boats,
motors and boat trailers may only be left in Canada during
the off-season if you are having maintenance or repair work
done on them at a bona fide marina.
An
E99 permit also enables you to leave your vehicle at an airport
or marine terminal while you travel in Canada.
There
are special measures in place for American residents who have
purchased a cottage or other vacation home in Canada for use
a sa seasonal residence or who have rented one on a three-year
lease or longer. For more information, contact Canada Customs
and ask for the brochure Seasonal Residents.
Regional
Customs Offices
Trade Administration Services and Customs Border Services
Offices will provide additional information about entry into
Canada or bringing goods into Canada. Please contact the office
that deals with the area of the country you are planning to
visit.
Check
here for more information on Canada Customs & Revenue
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