Canada Border Rules for Travellers: Duty-Free Limits and What to Declare
Plain-English answers about what you can bring across the Canadian border, how much is duty-free and what you must declare. Every number on this site comes from an official CBSA, CFIA, Health Canada or Finance Canada page, linked at the bottom of each guide.
Find the rule that applies to your trip.
Returning home
$0, $200 or $800 exemption, how to claim it and what happens above it.
Visiting Canada
Alcohol, tobacco, gifts, food and personal belongings for visitors.
Duty and tax calculator
Estimate duty, GST/HST and the counter-tariff surtax on your purchases.
US counter-tariffs
15%, 25% and 50% surtaxes: who pays, on what, and how they are calculated.
Alcohol limits and age
1.5 L wine, 1.14 L spirits or 8.5 L beer, and the minimum age by province.
Cash of $10,000 or more
Carrying it is legal. Not declaring it is not.
How the personal exemption works
| Time outside Canada | Exemption | Alcohol and tobacco |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 24 hours | None | Duty and taxes apply |
| 24 hours or more | $200 | Not included |
| 48 hours or more | $800 | Allowed within limits |
| 7 days or more | $800 | Allowed within limits (must travel with you) |
Go deeper: personal exemptions for returning residents.
Three habits that avoid trouble at the border
- Declare everything you acquired abroad, including gifts, duty-free purchases and food. If you are unsure, declare it.
- Do not wrap gifts so an officer can inspect them.
- Keep receipts. Officers may ask for them as evidence of the length of your trip and the value of your goods.
Common situations
- Shopping day trip to the US: there is no exemption under 24 hours, so you pay tax on everything, and counter-tariffs may apply. See the examples.
- A weekend away: $200 after 24 hours or $800 after 48 hours, and only after 48 hours can you bring alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol examples.
- Driving back with a cooler: you must declare all food, and there are limits per person. Food limits.
- Buying big (furniture, appliances, clothing): the surtax can reach 50%. Worked examples.
- Carrying a lot of money: $10,000 or more must be reported. Cash examples.
- Visiting from abroad: visitor limits and gift rules.
More quick answers: frequently asked questions and how we check our facts.
FAQ
Is this the official CBSA website?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with the Canada Border Services Agency or the Government of Canada. The official information is linked on every page.
How much can I bring back duty-free?
It depends on how long you were outside Canada: nothing under 24 hours, $200 for 24 hours or more, and $800 for 48 hours or more or for 7 days or more. Alcohol and tobacco are only allowed after 48 hours.
Do the new US counter-tariffs apply to travellers?
Yes. The CBSA says all travellers are expected to pay the surtax on purchased US-origin goods in the affected categories, unless covered by their personal exemption or another exclusion.
Where do I check the latest rules?
On the CBSA travellers pages and the Department of Finance Canada announcements, linked below.
Official sources
- CBSA: Travellers - Paying duty and taxes
- CBSA: I Declare - guide for residents returning to Canada
- CBSA: What visitors can bring into Canada
- CBSA: Canadian tariffs on certain US goods at the border
Data checked against official sources: October 17, 2026. Rules change; confirm with the CBSA before you travel.