Border reminder checklist

The CBSA wants to encourage all residents returning to Canada to have a smooth border crossing.

Help us keep wait times low: keep this checklist handy to help make sure you are prepared.

• Plan ahead and check border wait times.
  • Avoid crossing during peak travel times like weekend evenings. Consider crossing at the least busy port of entry in the area.
• Residents can estimate duty and taxes to check in advance what you might have to pay on specific purchases such as electronics.
• Make sure your purchases or items coming into Canada are not on a list of prohibited goods.
  • Transporting cannabis across the border in any form, including any oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada remains a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution, despite the legalization of cannabis in Canada.
• Pay attention to organic products among your goods. Declare any foods, plants, animals or other products such as untreated wooden souvenirs to the border services officer.
  • Some goods may be restricted.  Check the Automated Import Reference System to help determine specific import requirements for these goods.
• If travelling with pets, know that dogs and cats that are three months of age or older need valid signed and dated certificates from a veterinarian verifying vaccinations against rabies.
  • These are usually valid for 1 to 3 years. Service dogs are exempt when accompanied by their owners.
• Ensure that you have proper identification for you and your family readily available.
  • Acceptable forms of identification for entry into Canada include a passport, a NEXUS card and an enhanced driver's licence.
• Declare all purchases and have your receipts readily available.
  • Residents can bring back, tax and duty free, goods valued at CAN$200 after being away for 24 hours, and goods valued at CAN$800 after 48 hours. There are no personal exemptions for same-day cross-border shopping trips so be prepared to pay tax on those purchases and possibly duty.
• Declare all money or currency equal to or over CAN$10,000. It is not illegal to bring such amounts into Canada, but you must declare it on arrival.
• If travelling with firearms or weapons, you must declare them when you enter Canada.
  • Failure to do so means border services officers may seize the weapons, and file criminal charges.  Most weapons are prohibited from entering Canada, including tasers.

Date modified:

2022-11-15