Airport Forecast: Before You Go - Arrival Tips

Before You Go - Arrival Tips

International and U.S.A. Flights

Passengers arriving on flights originating outside of Canada must clear Canadian Inspection Services. On the aircraft, the flight crew will distribute the Travellers' Customs Declaration Card. Upon landing, the aircraft is normally met by its airline representative who escorts passengers to Canada Customs.

Canadian residents returning from the U.S. may present a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, landed immigrant card, or citizenship card as proof of residency, in lieu of a passport.

For Canada Immigration inquiries visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site at www.cic.gc.ca.

Canada Customs

Passengers returning to Canada from abroad may qualify for a personal exemption. Personal exemptions allow you to bring goods of a certain value into the country without paying duties. To find whether the goods you are bringing back exceed your personal exemption, convert all foreign currency value into Canadian dollars.

Except for restricted items, goods that exceed personal exemptions will be subject to duties. Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 8% is now collected on all purchases made by returning residents of Ontario who exceeded their personal exemption limits, in addition to the Goods & Services Tax (GST) of 7%.

Personal Exemptions for Canadian Residents

Minimum Absence Maximum Exemption

24 hours
48 hours
7 days

$50
$200
$750

Who is available for these exemptions?

• a Canadian resident returning from a trip abroad;
• a former resident of Canada returning to live in this country; or
• a temporary resident of Canada

NOTE: You cannot combine your personal exemptions with another or person's exemption or transfer them to someone else.

Tobacco and Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products can be included in your 48 hour or yearly exemption, but not in the 24 hour exemption. All tobacco products and alcoholic beverages must accompany you in your hand or checked luggage.

For further details about specific conditions that apply to tobacco and alcoholic beverages, please contact Canada Customs.

Making Your Declaration

Passengers flying into Canada will receive a Traveller Customs Declaration Card on board the aircraft and must complete it before passing through customs. The new Customs Declaration Card gives you the option of listing up to five family members living at the same address on one card. Children and people with disabilities may have family members or fellow passengers complete their cards for them.

Visit the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency web site at www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca.