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Information for Visitors to Canada and Seasonal Residents

At your service

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) operates at some 1,200 service points across Canada and 39 locations abroad. It employs approximately 13,000 public servants who handle over 12 million commercial releases and more than 95 million travellers each year. The CBSA's role is to manage the nation's border by administering and enforcing over 90 domestic laws that govern trade and travel, as well as international agreements and conventions.

The CBSA delivers innovative border management through a network of dedicated professionals who work strategically with domestic and international partners to ensure that Canada remains secure and responsive to new and emerging threats. The CBSA also intercepts, detains and removes those persons who pose a threat to Canada or who have been determined to be inadmissible.

Border services officers are at Canada's entry points to help you when you arrive in Canada. The CBSA is committed to providing efficient, courteous service. At designated bilingual offices, the officers will serve you in the official language of your choice. If you require more detailed information that is not provided in this publication, please call the Border Information Service (BIS) at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information.”

Is this publication for you?
Visitors to Canada
Seasonal residents
Additional information

At your service

Is this publication for you?

This publication will be helpful if you are:

a non-resident Canadian visiting Canada; or
a foreign national visiting Canada and your stay will not exceed one year.

It provides information on the goods you can import when you come for a visit and also describes a special benefit that applies if you own a residence in Canada for seasonal use or lease one for a minimum period of three years.

If you are planning to study or work in Canada, contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate and ask for the publication called Entering Canada to Study or to Work or select “Publications and forms” on our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

If you are moving to Canada permanently for the first time, or will be temporarily employed in Canada for more than three years, ask for a copy of the publication called Settling in Canada or select “Publications and forms” on our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

Please note that the information in the section called “Visitors to Canada” also applies to seasonal residents.

Visitors to Canada

Arriving in Canada

Border services officers are at the ports of entry to ensure that people entering Canada respect Canadian laws. They are authorized to examine people and goods entering Canada to determine their admissibility. Their goal is to facilitate the entry of legitimate travellers and goods as quickly as possible.

When you enter Canada, a border services officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa (if you are arriving from a country from which one is required). If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need a passport to enter Canada; however, you should carry proof of your citizenship such as a birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization or a Certificate of Indian Status, as well as a photo ID. If you are a permanent resident of the United States, you must bring your permanent resident card (i.e. green card) with you. For more information on admissibility into Canada, read the fact sheet called Managing Access to Canada. It is available on our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

All travellers, including U.S. citizens, are encouraged to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Web site at www.cbp.gov for information on the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and its traveller requirements to enter or return to the United States.

Public health

If you are suffering from a communicable disease upon your arrival in Canada, or if you have been in close contact with someone with a communicable disease, you are obligated to inform a border services officer or a quarantine officer, who can determine if you require further assessment. If you've been ill while travelling or become ill after your arrival in Canada, consult a Canadian doctor and inform the doctor that you have travelled abroad, where you were and what, if any, treatment or medical care you've received (e.g. medications, blood transfusions, injections, dental care, surgery, etc.) before your arrival in Canada.

Bringing children into Canada

Border services officers are on alert for children who need protection. Children under the age of 18 seeking to enter Canada are classified as minors and are subject to the entry requirements set out under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

A more detailed examination will be conducted for minors entering Canada without proper identification or those travelling in the company of adults other than their parents or legal guardian(s). This additional scrutiny helps ensure the safety of the children.

Minors travelling alone must have proof of citizenship. We strongly recommend that they have a letter from both parents (where applicable) detailing the length of stay, providing the parents' telephone number and authorizing the person waiting for them to take care of them while they are in Canada.

If you are travelling with minors, you must carry proper identification for each child such as a birth certificate, passport, citizenship card, permanent resident card or Certificate of Indian Status. If you are not the parent or guardian of the children, you should also have written permission from the parent/guardian authorizing the trip. The letter should include addresses and telephone numbers of where the parents or guardian can be reached.

Divorced or separated parents should carry copies of the legal custody agreements for the children.

If you are travelling with a group of vehicles, make sure you arrive at the border in the same vehicle as your children to avoid any confusion.

Personal baggage

As a visitor, you can bring certain goods into Canada for your own use as “personal baggage.” Personal baggage includes clothing, camping and sports equipment, cameras and personal computers. It also includes vehicles, private boats and aircraft.

You must declare all goods when you arrive at the CBSA port of entry. Border services officers do conduct examinations of goods being imported or exported to verify declarations. If you declare goods when you arrive and take them back with you when you leave, you will not have to pay any duty or taxes. These goods cannot be used by a resident of Canada or on behalf of a business based in Canada, be given as a gift to a Canadian resident or disposed of or left in Canada.

The border services officer may ask you to leave a security deposit for your goods, which will be refunded to you when you export the goods from Canada. Should this occur, the officer will issue a Form E29B (PDF, 496 KB), Temporary Admission Permit, retain a copy and give you one for your records. When you leave Canada, present your goods and your copy of Form E29B to the officer who will give you a receipt copy of the form and your security deposit will be refunded by mail.

Alcoholic beverages

If you meet the minimum age requirements of the province or territory where you enter Canada, you can include limited quantities of alcoholic beverages in your personal entitlement. These items must accompany you on your arrival.

Minimum ages for the importation of alcoholic beverages, as prescribed by provincial or territorial authority, are as follows:

18 years for Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec; and
19 years for Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.

You are allowed to import only one of the following amounts of alcohol free of duty and taxes:

1.5 litres (53 imperial ounces) of wine;
1.14 litres (40 ounces) of liquor;
a total of 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of wine and liquor; or
24 x 355 millilitre (12 ounces) cans or bottles (maximum of 8.5 litres) of beer or ale.

Note
The CBSA classifies “cooler” products according to the alcoholic beverage they contain. For example, beer coolers are considered to be beer and wine coolers are considered to be wine. Beer and wine products not exceeding 0.5% alcohol by volume are not considered to be alcoholic beverages.

The quantities of alcohol you can bring in must be within your exemption limit set by the province or territory where you enter Canada. If the value of the goods is more than the free allowance, you will have to pay both customs and provincial/territorial assessments. In Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, you cannot bring more than the free allowance of alcohol. For more information, check with the appropriate provincial or territorial liquor control authority before your arrival to Canada.

Tobacco products

You are allowed to bring in all of the following amounts of tobacco free of duty and taxes:

200 cigarettes;
50 cigars or cigarillos;
200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco; and
200 tobacco sticks.

You may bring in additional quantities but you will have to pay full duty and taxes on the excess amount.

Currency and monetary instruments

If you are importing or exporting monetary instruments equal to or greater than CAN$10,000 (or the equivalent in a foreign currency), whether in cash or other monetary instruments, you must report the amount to the CBSA when you arrive or before you leave Canada. For more information, please refer to the publication called Crossing the border with $10,000 or more? that is available on the CBSA's Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca under “Publications and forms.”

Restrictions

Importation of the following goods is restricted in Canada. Make sure you have the information you require before attempting to import these items. You can obtain further information by calling BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information” or from the CBSA's Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

Firearms and weapons

Canada's firearms legislation helps make the country safer for both residents and visitors. Before you attempt to import a firearm or weapon, contact the Canada Firearms Centre for information.

The following requirements apply to the importation of firearms and weapons:

you must be at least 18 years of age;
you can import non-restricted and restricted firearms provided all documentation and other requirements are met; and
you generally cannot import prohibited firearms or any type of prohibited weapons or devices, including silencers, replica firearms, switchblades, pepper spray and other weapons.

You must declare all weapons and firearms at the port of entry. If not, you could face prosecution and the goods may be seized.

Visitors may temporarily import non-restricted firearms, such as common hunting rifles and shotguns, if they complete Form CAFC 909, Non-Resident Firearm Declaration, and have a valid purpose (e.g. hunting, target shooting, for protection from wild animals in remote areas where firearms are allowed). If they want to import restricted firearms, such as pistols or revolvers, in addition to Form CAFC 909 visitors must complete and submit Form CAFC 679, Application for an Authorization to Transport Restricted Firearms and Prohibited Firearms, in advance to the chief firearms officer of the province or territory to which they intend to import a restricted firearm.

Seasonal residents may import non-restricted firearms but they must have a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) (see Form CAFC 921, Application for a Possession and Acquisition Licence Under the Firearms Act [For Individuals Aged 18 and Over]) or a valid Possession Only Licence (POL). They may also import restricted firearms but they must have a valid PAL or POL and complete Form CAFC 679 in advance.

For more detailed information on importing a firearm or weapon into Canada, please refer to the publication called Importing a Firearm or Weapon Into Canada or call BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information.”

For information about applying for a Canadian firearms licence, a firearms registration certificate or to obtain an application for a CAFC 679 in advance, please contact:

Canada Firearms Centre
Ottawa ON K1A 0R2

Telephone: 1-800-731-4000 (toll-free in Canada and the United States)
506-624-5380 (from all other countries)
E-mail: cfc-cafc@cfc-cafc.gc.ca
Web site: www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca

Explosives, fireworks and ammunition

You are required to have written authorization and permits to bring explosives, fireworks and certain types of ammunition into Canada. For more information, contact:

Explosives Regulatory Division
Natural Resources Canada
1431 Merivale Road
Ottawa ON K1A 0G1

Telephone: 613-948-5200
Web site: www.nrcan.gc.ca

Radio transmitting equipment

U.S. residents are allowed to operate aircraft, marine, amateur, citizens' band (CB), General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and Family Radio Service (FRS) radios as well as cellular and PCS (personal communications service) mobile radio telephones in Canada without explicit permission from Industry Canada. If you are not a U.S. resident, you will need permission from Industry Canada to use this equipment. For more information, contact Industry Canada by e-mail at spectrum_pubs@ic.gc.ca or visit their Web site at www.ic.gc.ca.

Items imported for commercial use

If you import vehicles, farm equipment or other capital equipment to use in construction, contracting or manufacturing, or other goods to use or to be used in a trade, you have to pay the goods and services tax (GST) and any applicable duty on these items.

Goods subject to import controls

To monitor the effects of imports on Canadian manufacturers, there are import controls on items such as clothing, handbags and textiles. These controls are outlined in the Export and Import Permits Act. Depending on the value, quantity or type of goods you intend to import, you may need an import permit even if you qualify for a personal exemption.

For more information, call BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information” or contact:

Export and Import Controls Bureau
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa ON K1A 0G2

Web site: www.international.gc.ca

Prohibited consumer products

The Hazardous Products Act prohibits the importation of consumer products that could pose a danger to the public, e.g. baby walkers, jequirity beans (often found in art or beadwork). Visitors or seasonal residents should be aware of consumer products that have safety requirements in Canada. Many of these safety requirements are stricter than requirements for other countries. For more information about prohibited and restricted products, contact Health Canada:

Telephone: 1-866-662-0666 (toll-free in Canada)
1-613-952-1014 (from all other countries)
Web site: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cps

Food products, plants and animals

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has a mandate to safeguard Canada's food supply and the plants and animals upon which safe, high-quality food depends. The CBSA performs inspection functions of food, plant and animal products on behalf of the CFIA at all ports of entry into Canada. These controls, restrictions and prohibitions on the entry of food, plants, animals and their products, including food, mean you will need certificates or permits to import some of these goods.

Many products do not require a mandatory inspection, but if the goods you are importing need to be inspected, or if other actions are required, you may have to pay a fee.

Other Government of Canada departments and agencies, such as Environment Canada, as well as some provinces have special requirements for the import of food products, plants and animals. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) alone has import and export requirements for some 30,000 wild animals (including fish), plant species and their products.

Without the proper documentation, the CBSA may confiscate, dispose of or order the removal of some food products, plants and animals. Other imports may require treatment before they can stay. Importers and other travellers are responsible for all costs related to disposal, quarantine or treatment.

For more information, call BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information” or visit our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca. You can also call a CFIA Import Service Centre toll-free at the following numbers:

Eastern Canada 1-877-493-0468
Central Canada 1-800-835-4486
Western Canada 1-888-732-6222

For information on Environment Canada import requirements, refer to the CITES Web site at www.cites.ec.gc.ca.

Food Products

Canada has complex requirements, restrictions and limits on the importation of meat, eggs, dairy products, honey, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other food from around the world. For example, the importation of root crops may be regulated and that of potatoes is prohibited. You can avoid problems by not bringing these kinds of goods into Canada.

You can import certain meat and dairy products from certain states in the United States. Before entering Canada with these products, contact BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information,” or refer to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) on the CFIA's Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

The CFIA and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada have set limits on the quantity and/or dollar value of certain food products you can bring into Canada duty-free or that you can include in your personal exemption. Unless you have an import permit from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada for quantities over and above the established limits, you will have to pay duty based on a rate ranging from 150% to 300% of the value of the goods.

The following are some examples of the limits that apply to personal importations of food products from the United States:

2 dozen eggs;
20 kilograms of dairy products not exceeding $20 in value (e.g. cheese and butter);
3 kilograms of margarine or butter substitutes; and
20 kilograms of edible meats and meat products, including turkey and chicken.

Within this limit, more CFIA and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada restrictions apply as follows:

a maximum of one whole turkey or 10 kilograms of turkey products;
a maximum of 10 kilograms of chicken; and
a maximum of 5 kilograms of edible meats and meat products from cattle, sheep, goat bison and buffalo.

Note
All meat and meat products have to be identified as products of the United States.

You also need permits to import some types of food controlled by the CITES, such as caviar. However, if you are bringing caviar into Canada as a tourist souvenir or as part of your personal or household effects, you can have in your possession a maximum of 250 grams of caviar without a CITES permit. For more information, contact the CITES office at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Endangered species.”

Plants

Plants are potential carriers of insects and disease. For this reason, border services officers help the CFIA control the entry into Canada of plants, including houseplants and the earth, soil, sand or other related matter in which they are planted or packed.

Houseplants are defined as plants commonly known and recognized as such, which are grown or intended to be grown indoors. Bonsai plants are not considered to be houseplants. If you are importing houseplants from the continental United States as part of your baggage or household effects, you do not need phytosanitary certificates or import permits. For all other plants from the United States, you may require a phytosanitary certificate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and an import permit from the CFIA.

To import plants from other parts of the world, you may require an import permit from the CFIA in advance. You may also require a phytosanitary certificate issued by the phytosanitary authorities of the country of origin (e.g. plant protection/ quarantine authorities).

You need permits to import orchids and cacti controlled by CITES. For more information, contact the CITES office at one of the numbers listed in the section called “Endangered species.”

Animals

Since animals may harbour pests or diseases that are harmful to people, other animals, crops and forests, the CBSA assists the CFIA and other government departments and agencies to control the entry of animals into Canada.

You may import puppies and kittens younger than three months old from any country and ferrets younger than three months old from the United States without submitting any documentation; however, these animals must be examined by a CFIA-authorized veterinarian if they appear unhealthy. Although there are no documentation requirements, you may wish to carry proof of birth to verify the age of the animal. If you use an assistance dog that is certified as a guide, hearing or other service dog, you can import it without any restrictions as long as you are accompanying the dog to Canada.

You may import cats and dogs from any country and ferrets from the United States that are older than three months if you provide a certificate signed and dated by a licensed veterinarian for each pet. The certificate must clearly identify the animal by breed, age, sex, colouring and any distinguishing marks. It must also show that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies within the last three years. Animal tags are not accepted in lieu of certificates. Ferrets of any age from any country other than the United States require an import permit issued by the CFIA. Unaccompanied dogs between the ages of three and eight months from any country have specific documentation requirements. These requirements can be found by visiting the CFIA's Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

You need permits to import certain animals controlled by CITES, such as butterflies. If you plan to import animals other than cats, dogs and ferrets from the United States, or animals of any kind from other countries, contact BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information” or refer to the AIRS section on the CFIA's Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca. Also consult the CITES Web site or contact the CITES office at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Endangered species.”

Endangered species

Canada signed CITES, an international agreement to protect wild animals and plants and their parts or derivatives from over-exploitation in international trade. CITES operates through a system of import/export permits. However, you can import certain goods controlled under CITES without a CITES permit. The following exceptions apply for non-commercial purposes only:

tourist souvenirs;
personal effects;
household effects; and
certain hunting trophies.

The items cannot be alive and must not be sold or disposed of within 90 days after the date of import. Canadian threatened or endangered species are not included in these exemptions. They still require all the necessary CITES permits.

In all cases, it is best that you contact the CITES office to ask about import requirements:

Telephone: 1-800-668-6767 (toll-free in Canada)
819-997-1840 (from all other countries)
Fax: 819-953-6283
Web site: www.cites.ec.gc.ca

Prohibited goods

You cannot import prohibited goods such as obscene material, hate propaganda and child pornography into Canada.

Used or second-hand mattresses

You cannot import used or second-hand mattresses into Canada unless you have a certificate verifying that the mattresses have been cleaned and fumigated in the country of export. A letter, or any other document that clearly demonstrates that this requirement has been met, is acceptable if it is signed by a person qualified in cleaning and fumigation.

Health products (drugs)

In Canada, health products may be regulated differently than they are in other countries, for example, what is available without a prescription in one country may require a prescription in Canada. Canada, like many other countries, has restrictions on the quantities and types of health products that can be brought into the country. For more information regarding health products and their importation into Canada please consult Health Canada at www.hc-sc.gc.ca.

Cultural property

Certain antiquities or cultural objects, considered to have historical significance to their country of origin, cannot be brought into Canada without the appropriate export permits. Before you import such items, you should contact:

Movable Cultural Property
Canadian Heritage
15 Eddy Street, 3rd floor
Gatineau QC K1A 0M5

Telephone: 1-866-999-2494 (toll-free in Canada)
Fax: 819-997-7757
Web site: www.pch.gc.ca

Gifts

You can import gifts for friends into Canada duty- and tax-free as long as each gift is valued at CAN$60 or less. If the gift is worth more than CAN$60, you will have to pay duty and taxes on the excess amount. You cannot claim alcoholic beverages, tobacco products or business-related material as gifts.

In-transit travel through Canada

If you are an American resident, you can transport goods through Canada to the United States. To simplify the clearance process, carry three copies of the list of goods you are transporting. The list should include the value of the goods and serial numbers (if applicable). You should pack consumable goods such as alcohol, tobacco and food in containers that the border services officers can tie and seal when you arrive.

Telephone reporting centres

If you arrive in Canada by general aviation aircraft (carrying no more than 15 people including crew) or by private boat, you must report to the CBSA using a telephone reporting centre (TRC) prior to your arrival, and you must land at a designated port of entry. In an emergency situation, such as under severe weather conditions, you may have to land your boat or aircraft at a place that is not designated. In this case, you have to report your circumstances to the nearest CBSA office or to the RCMP. For more information, ask for a copy of the publication called Coming to Canada by Small Aircraft or Recreational Boat.

General aviation

If you arrive by private or corporate aircraft, the pilot must call the TRC at 1-888-226-7277 at least 2 hours but no more than 48 hours before arriving in Canada. If your flight originates outside North America, call one of the following numbers. Long-distance charges will apply. We recommend you choose the area closest to your point of arrival.

Lansdowne, Ontario:	613-659-4576
Hamilton, Ontario:	905-679-2073
Windsor, Ontario:	519-967-4320
Victoria, British Columbia:	250-363-0222

Hours of service vary by airport and are subject to change. For the current listing of airports of entry, visit our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca or call BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information.”

Private boats

If you arrive in Canada aboard a private boat, you must proceed directly to the nearest designated telephone reporting marine site. Upon arrival in Canada, the master of the boat must report to the CBSA by calling 1-888-226-7277. The master of the boat will provide details of the voyage, the passengers and their declaration. No one except the master may leave the boat until authorized to do so by the CBSA. As proof of presentation, masters will be provided with a report number for their records. Masters must provide this number to a border services officer upon request. You do not have to report to the CBSA when you leave by private boat unless you are exporting goods that need to be documented. To get a list of the designated telephone reporting marine sites, call 1-888-226-7277 before you arrive in Canada.

CBSA programs for registered trusted travellers

Our CANPASS and NEXUS programs streamline the border clearance process for pre-approved travellers. If you wish to participate in either of these programs, you must fill out an application form, undergo a security check and meet certain eligibility criteria, including admissibility requirements. For information and application forms, visit www.cbsa.gc.ca/canpass (PDF, 220.2 KB) or www.nexus.gc.ca or call BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information.”

CANPASS Private Aircraft and CANPASS Corporate Aircraft

If you frequently travel to Canada from the United States on small aircraft (maximum 15 passengers including crew), you may qualify for the CANPASS Private Aircraft or CANPASS Corporate Aircraft program. As a participant, you can enjoy many benefits:

access to more airports;
permission to land at an airport of entry any time the airport is open for landing, regardless of the hours of operation of the local CBSA office;
permission to land at CANPASS-only airports, which may be nearer to your final destination; and
expedited clearance.

These programs require the pilot to call 1-888-CANPASS (1-888-226-7277) at least 2 hours but not more than 48 hours before arrival to identify everyone on board and report the goods they are importing. For more information, visit our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca/canpass.

CANPASS Air

As a CANPASS Air participant, you can use a self-serve automated kiosk at designated airports to expedite your border clearance. You simply look into a camera that recognizes the iris of your eye as proof of identity. For a list of participating airports, visit our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca/canpass.

CANPASS Private Boats

If you participate in CANPASS Private Boats, you must call a CBSA office at 1-888-CANPASS (1-888-226-7277) up to 4 hours before arriving in Canada from the United States. You must also arrive at a designated telephone reporting marine site in Canada. To be eligible for this reporting system, all passengers on the vessel must be program members. If this is not the case, you must follow normal reporting procedures.

NEXUS

NEXUS is a joint initiative of the CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The program is designed to expedite the border clearance process for pre-approved, low-risk travellers into Canada and the United States. This allows both Canada and the United States to focus their efforts on unknown and potentially higher-risk travellers and goods. NEXUS members are subject to the same rigorous security standards as all travellers. For more information, visit the NEXUS Web site at www.nexus.gc.ca.

NEXUS in the air mode

NEXUS in the air mode saves you time crossing the border because you can use automated NEXUS self-serve kiosks in designated areas at participating international airports.

You can also use your NEXUS card at a NEXUS kiosk at participating airports as an alternative to a passport when entering the United States by air. For a list of participating airports, visit our Web site at www.nexus.gc.ca.

NEXUS in the land mode

NEXUS in the land mode saves you time because you can use dedicated lanes at the land border and enjoy a quick and simplified entry process while travelling back and forth between Canada and the United States.

Please note that if you are transporting persons into Canada or the United States that are not NEXUS members, you must use the regular lanes. For a list of participating land border crossings, visit the NEXUS Web site at www.nexus.gc.ca.

NEXUS in the marine mode

NEXUS in the marine mode saves you time because you can report to a border services officer in advance by telephone. NEXUS is available at approximately 450 designated marine reporting sites across Canada. For a list of these reporting sites, visit the NEXUS Web site at www.nexus.gc.ca.

Business meetings and conventions

If you are planning a trip for business or to attend a convention, or if you want information on streamlined border processes for people entering Canada to attend meetings and conventions, write to the following address:

Canadian Tourism Commission
Suite 1400, Four Bentall Centre
1055 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver BC V7X 1L2

For more information, visit our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

Vehicles and private boats

During your visit in Canada, you can temporarily import passenger and recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles, boats and trailers, as well as outboard motors, for your personal use.

You cannot leave temporarily imported goods in Canada between visits unless they have been properly reported to the CBSA and you were issued a Form E99, CBSA Report. You must display this form on your vehicle, boat or trailer or have it easily available to prove that you imported the goods legally. Remember to watch the expiry date. If you leave goods in Canada beyond the expiry date, and they are not in accordance with CBSA regulations, they may become subject to seizure and forfeiture.

Seasonal residents

If you are a non-resident of Canada and you acquire a residence in Canada for seasonal use or lease one for at least three years, you have a one-time entitlement to furnish the residence with certain goods, duty- and tax-free. This does not apply to a mobile or portable home, a time-share residence, a residence that you will share with a resident of Canada or a residence that you will rent or lease to others in your absence.

Preparing to enter Canada

As a seasonal resident, before leaving for Canada, you should prepare two copies of a list (preferably typewritten) of all the goods you intend to bring into Canada as your personal effects, showing the value, make, model and serial number (when applicable).

Divide the list into two sections. In the first, list the goods you are bringing with you; in the second section, list the goods that will follow at a later date. As a seasonal resident, you are permitted to import the goods that arrive at a later date duty- and taxfree only if they are listed on this form.

When you arrive at the CBSA office, give the border services officer both copies of the list, as well as proof of ownership or a long-term lease for your seasonal residence.

Based on your list of goods, the border services officer, at the first port of entry, will complete Form B4 (PDF, 34.3 KB), Personal Effects Accounting Document, and give you the completed original document as a receipt. Keep this receipt as proof that you have permanently imported these goods. You can make the process easier by filling out Form B4 as much as possible in advance. Form B4 is available by selecting “Publications and forms” on our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca or by calling BIS at one of the telephone numbers listed in the section called “Additional information.”

Allowed goods

As part of your seasonal resident entitlement, you can include items such as removable furniture, appliances, household effects and tools you use to maintain your seasonal residence. To take advantage of this opportunity, you have to meet all of the following conditions:

the goods must be for your personal use only, not for commercial or business use;
you must have owned, possessed and used the goods before you arrive to occupy the seasonal residence for the first time;
you must declare all the goods in detail when you first arrive in Canada to occupy the seasonal residence. Even if the goods do not accompany you on your first arrival, you must identify them as “goods to follow”; and
you cannot sell or dispose of the goods in Canada for at least one year after you import them.

Excluded goods

Items that are designed to be permanently affixed to a building, such as construction materials, electrical and plumbing fixtures, windows, doors and screens, do not qualify under your seasonal resident entitlement. These items are subject to the usual customs duty and taxes.

Duty and taxes

If you are a seasonal resident and your goods fall within the duty- and tax-free exemption under the seasonal resident provision, you do not have to pay any duty, GST, provincial sales tax or harmonized sales tax on those goods, regardless of your intended destination in Canada. However, if your goods fall outside the provision, you will have to pay duty (where applicable) and the GST on those goods.

You and the border services officer

You may occasionally find yourself going through a more detailed inspection. In some cases, this simply means that you may have to complete a form. In other cases, the border services officer will need to identify the goods you are bringing into the country or examine your luggage.

Border services officers are legally entitled to examine your luggage as part of their responsibility to protect Canada's safety, economy and environment. You are responsible for opening, unpacking and repacking your luggage. We appreciate your cooperation.

In addition to the activities mentioned above, border services officers may arrest an individual for an offence under the Criminal Code (e.g. impaired driving, outstanding arrest warrants, stolen property and abductions/kidnappings) and for infractions under other acts of Parliament (e.g. the Customs Act, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act). If you are arrested, you may be compelled to attend court in Canada. You should note that anyone arrested in Canada is protected by, and will be treated in accordance with, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Additional information

If you have any questions, contact the Border Information Service (BIS) line. This is a 24-hour telephone service that automatically answers all incoming calls and provides general border services information.

You can access BIS free of charge throughout Canada by calling 1-800-461-9999. If you are calling from outside Canada, you can access BIS by calling 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long-distance charges will apply). If you call during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, Monday to Friday, except holidays), you can speak directly to an agent by pressing “0” at any time during the recording.

You can also visit our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

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