What do I need to declare when visiting Canada?

Whenever you visit Canada in 2025, you must tell the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) about certain items you are bringing. Its importance lies in its role in continuous border protection, positive health conditions and equitable trading. Leaving out items on your customs form can cause you to suffer severe penalties such as thousands of dollars in fines, the loss of your goods or you could be taken to court.

Here's a comprehensive list of what you generally need to declare when entering Canada:

1. Goods You’re Bringing Into the Country

You must declare any items you’re bringing into Canada, including:

Gifts for friends or family (regardless of their value)
Goods for resale or commercial use
Any items you plan to leave behind, including promotional materials, samples, or donations

If you’re bringing cameras, laptops or other professional equipment and intend to take them out of the country, it helps to have proof (receipts or serial numbers) to show you own them and avoid unexpected charges.

2. Currency or Monetary Instruments Over CAD $10,000

If you're carrying CAD $10,000 or more (or the equivalent in foreign currency), you must declare it. This includes:

Cash
Cheques
Money orders
Bank drafts
Stocks and bonds

Declaring large sums of money is legal and will not result in penalties — unless you fail to declare it.

3. Food, Plants, and Animal Products

Canada has strict rules on the importation of:

Fresh fruits and vegetables
Meat and poultry products
Dairy and eggs
Seeds, nuts, spices, and grains
Live plants, cut flowers, and soil
Animal hides, bones, horns, feathers

Some items might be allowed if they meet particular conditions or come from particular countries, but they must still be declared. Food items like snacks and packed goods need approval ahead of travel and could be taken by customs if not approved.

4. Alcohol and Tobacco

If you are of legal age (18 or 19 depending on the province), you may bring:

1.14 liters (40 oz) of liquor, OR
1.5 liters of wine, OR
8.5 liters of beer or ale

Tobacco allowances include:

200 cigarettes
50 cigars
200g of manufactured tobacco
200 tobacco sticks

These amounts are duty-free, but must be declared regardless of quantity.

5. Prescription Drugs and Medical Devices

You may bring prescription medications for personal use, but they must be:

In original packaging with a proper label
Accompanied by a doctor’s note if possible
Limited to a 90-day supply or less (in most cases)

Some medications legal in your country may be prohibited or restricted in Canada, especially controlled substances.

6. Firearms, Weapons, and Restricted Items

Weapons are legally controlled very closely in Canada. Tell the security team about any firearms, pepper spray, knives or defensive items in your baggage. It is generally safe not to carry such things with you when you are a tourist.

how to declare items at customs Canada:

Customs Declaration Card (E311): If you enter Canada by air, you may need to fill out a paper Customs Declaration Card (E311) before seeing a CBSA officer or you may use an automated Primary Inspection Kiosk. You are allowed to add up to four people who live at the same address on one card.
Primary Inspection Kiosks (PIK): When traveling though a major Canadian airport, you should use a PIK to scan your passport, take a picture and complete an on-screen form before seeing the CBSA officer.
ArriveCAN (Optional Advance Declaration): For people arriving in Canada in 2025, the ArriveCAN app is not required but is highly suggested. You will be able to complete your customs and immigration form 72 hours early, if you are flying into Canada from airports that support the CBSA Declaration system. That can greatly shorten the time you spend going through the border.
Verbal Declaration: When you arrive at the border crossing by car, bus, train or private boat, you will generally tell a Border Services Officer your purpose at the first checkpoint.

Always remember: When in doubt, declare it. If you declare an item and the officer says it’s allowed, that’s much better than not declaring it and facing big penalties. Border Services Officers are available to explain and help with anything that is unclear.

If you are traveling to Canada, declare all food, money, alcohol, tobacco, medications and goods for others or use at the Canadian border. Truthful and organized conduct guarantees an unproblematic and valid way into the country.

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