You’ve just landed back in Canada, the sights and sounds of your vacation are still fresh in your memory and you’re already planning your next excursion – but you’re not quite done yet.
Quick Tips:
- Familiarize yourself with customs regulations and declaration procedures
- You can sell leftover currency back to Continental Currency Exchange upon your arrival
Customs and Declarations
There are some important things to keep in mind upon your return:
All physical import and export of currency equal to or greater than $10,000 CAD must be reported to Canadian customs.
If you are away from Canada for 7 days or more, you may bring back goods worth up to $750 CAD without paying duties or taxes. When calculating the number of days you are absent, do not include the date you left Canada, but include the day of your return.
Goods that you bring back for personal use – like souvenirs, gifts and clothes – generally qualify for exemption, but commercial goods do not and will be taxed appropriately. Keep your receipts on hand in case border agents contest the value of goods that you are returning with.
If you do need to pay additional duty or taxes most borders in Canada will allow you to do so conveniently with credit cards, debit cards, travelers cheques or cash.
Canada closely regulates the type and amount of food, plants and animals that can be brought into the country. The list is constantly changing and updating but can be found at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) or the CITES Control List
Extra currency
Additionally, it is important to remember that you can exchange your leftover currency for Canadian currency or your currency of choice at your local Continental Currency Exchange branch. So don’t feel compelled to spend all of your cash while you’re abroad.
Other resources
For more information about returning to Canada visit the Government of Canada’s website
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