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Currency
There are no restrictions on the amount of monetary instruments or cash that can be brought
into or taken out of Canada. However, importing or exporting monetary instruments of
Cdn$10,000 or more (or the equivalent in a foreign currency), must be reported to the CBSA
upon arrival to Canada or prior to the departure from Canada on Form E667—Cross-Border
Currency or Monetary Instruments Report—General. Monetary instruments or cash not
reported to the CBSA may be subject to seizure, forfeiture or an assessment of penalties.
Penalties range from $250 to $5,000.
Personal Exemptions
If you are a Canadian resident returning from travel outside Canada, a former resident returning
to live in Canada, or a temporary resident of Canada returning from a trip outside of Canada,
you are entitled to a personal exemption which allows the import of goods into Canada without
paying the applicable customs duty, GST/HST, and excise tax. The amount of your exemption
is based on the length of your time outside of Canada. Based on proposals made in the 2012
federal budget, the exemptions are:
Length of absence Value of Goods Alcohol
Tobacco
Less than 24 hours Personal exemption N/A N/A
does not apply
24 hours or more Up to $200 N/A N/A
48 hours or more Up to $800
1.5L wine or
200 cigarettes,
1.14L liquor or
50 cigars/cigarillos,
8.5L of beer or ale manufactured tobacco
7 days or more Up to $800
1.5L wine or
200 cigarettes, 50
1.14L liquor or
cigars/cigarillos, 200
8.5L of beer or ale tobacco sticks, and 200
grams of manufactured
tobacco
If the length of absence is 24 hours or more and the value of the goods purchased abroad
exceeds CAD $200 the personal exemption of $200 cannot be claimed. Instead, the applicable
duty and tax must be paid on the total value of the goods being brought into Canada. You must
have the goods with you when you arrive in Canada and, this personal exemption does not
include alcohol or tobacco products.
If the length of absence is 48 hours or more and the value of goods purchased abroad exceeds
the personal exemption of CAD $800, duty will be assessed on the amount by which the value
of the goods exceeds the personal exemption amount. For example, if $1,000 of goods was
purchased while on a three day trip, duty and tax would be calculated and must be paid on the
amount exceeding the $800 personal exemption amount (i.e. $200). You must have the goods
with you when you arrive in Canada. However, if the length of the stay outside Canada is 7
days or greater, the goods, with the exception of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages,
are not required to be with you when entering but may be declared as goods to follow. All
goods, including those to follow, must be reported to Customs when the person enters
Canada.
Personal Imports
Current as of June 30, 2013
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affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.