Travelling with CAN$10,000 or more? Sending it by mail or courier? Declare it
There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can bring into or take out of Canada and it is not illegal to do so; you just need to declare it.
What to declare
Whether you are leaving or entering Canada, you must declare any currency (cash) or monetary instruments (i.e. cheques, money orders, bank drafts, etc.) valued at CAN$10,000 or more that you are carrying. This amount includes Canadian or foreign currency or a combination of both. There are no restrictions on carrying CAD $10,000 or more into or out of Canada and it is not illegal to do so as long as you declare it. The CBSA will not return funds if they are seized as suspected proceeds of crime or funds for financing terrorist activities. This applies to all travellers, couriers and people carrying money on behalf of someone else.
Monetary instruments include, but are not limited to:
- stocks and/or bonds
- cheques
- money orders and/or bank drafts
- traveller's cheques
You must also declare funds you send to or from Canada by mail or by courier.
Why you need to report
Reporting currency is an important part of helping the Government of Canada fight money laundering and terrorist financing.
The CBSA administers and enforces legislation to help the Government of Canada to:
- detect and deter money laundering and terrorist financing activities
- facilitate the investigation and prosecution of related offences
- respond to the threat posed by organized crime
- fulfill international commitments to fight transnational crime
More information: Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act
How to declare your money when you enter or leave Canada
If you are carrying CAN$10,000 or more of your own money when entering or leaving Canada, you may complete this form for individuals and be ready to present it when you travel.
If you are carrying money on behalf of someone else, you may complete this general form and be ready to present it when you travel.
Arriving in Canada
If you are carrying CAN$10,000 or more you must report it at:
- an airport kiosk
- on your CBSA Declaration Card (if one was provided to you)
- through your Advance Declaration
- as part of your verbal declaration to a border services officer
Leaving Canada
When leaving by air carrying CAN$10,000 or more, you must report to the CBSA office at the airport, before clearing security. Before leaving by land, boat or rail, report to the nearest CBSA office that is open for business.
Important information for NEXUS members
If you are crossing the border with currency or monetary instruments valued at CAN$10,000 or more, you cannot use NEXUS.
More information: NEXUS Terms and conditions
Sending money to or from Canada by mail
If you are sending CAN$10,000 or more in currency or monetary instruments to Canada by mail:
- Complete this general form and place it inside your parcel
- Attach a Universal Postal Convention (UPC) declaration, available at your nearest postal office, to the parcel
If you are sending CAN$10,000 or more in currency or monetary instruments from Canada by mail:
- Complete this general form and submit a copy of it to the nearest CBSA office
- Attach a Canada Post Customs Declaration form (CN23), available at your nearest postal office, to the parcel
Additional postal requirements may exist. Contact Canada Post for more information.
Sending money to or from Canada by courier
If you are sending CAN$10,000 or more in currency or monetary instruments to or from Canada by courier complete this general form.
You must give this completed form to the person in charge of the conveyance or the courier. They will:
- Complete a courier form
- Attach it to your general form
If you fail to report
The CBSA has the authority to seize all currency and monetary instruments if the entire value is not reported. They may be returned after a penalty is paid.
Penalties
Penalties range from 5% to 50% of the seized funds. The CBSA will not return the funds if it is suspected they are the proceeds of crime or funds for financing terrorist activities.
If you wish to dispute the seizing of funds, you may file a review.
What happens to your report
Your completed forms are sent to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) for assessment and analysis.
The information provided on the currency reporting forms is subject to the Privacy Act and is collected under the authority of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act.
Contact us
Related link
Cross-Border Currency and Monetary Instruments Reporting Regulations
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