If you are a resident and thinking of traveling outside of Canada, there are some rules and regulations you should understand about identification, health and importation, in order to avoid any trouble at the border.
Identification
Identification is the single-most important item to have with you on your travel from Canada . Be sure to have your passport and Canadian resident card or work visa with you, and for all persons traveling from Canada to another country with you (including children, regardless of age). This is the only way immigration officers can correctly identify you to ensure you are legally entering Canada. If you are traveling with someone else’s children, be sure to have a letter of authorization signed by the parents or legal guardian of the minor to avoid any complications or confusion.
Health
If you plan to travel from Canada to a country with infectious diseases not present in Canada, or if you aren’t sure, it is a good idea to contact a doctor or other health professional to discuss necessary vaccinations. If you return to Canada with an infectious disease, remember that you are obligated to tell the immigration officer. If you get sick after you return, call a doctor immediately and inform them that you’ve been traveling abroad.
Importation
There are certain rules about bringing home foreign purchases, and you are required to declare all purchases for duty and tax purposes unless they qualify as a “personal exemption,” which is goods under a certain value. Keep in mind, it’s better to declare everything you have, as failure to comply with these rules can come with a hefty fine.
- If you are traveling outside of Canada for 24 hours, you can bring back goods up to a value of $50 (after which tax and duty will apply).
- If you are traveling outside of Canada for 48 hours, you can bring back goods up to a value of $400, which does include alcohol and tobacco (after which tax and duty will apply).
- If you are traveling outside of Canada for seven days, you can bring back goods up to a value of $750 including alcohol and tobacco (after which tax and duty will apply).
- You should also know the limits on bringing back tobacco and alcohol products:
- Tobacco: pp to 200 grams of manufactured tobacco, cigarettes and tobacco sticks.
- Alcohol: up to 8.5 liters of beer, 1.5 liters of wine, or a combined total of 1.14 liters of alcoholic beverages.
Have a safe and happy travel from Canada, from the Settle-in.com team!
More fun tips on vacationing in Canada:
- Going to the Cottage in Quebec
- 5 Interesting Places to Travel from Montreal
- Airbnb: How It Works
(Photo Credit: H. Michael Miley via Flickr cc)