The following information was found on another website. We are in the process of confirming whether it is up to date, but are providing it to you as general information. We suggest that you check with your own customs authorities as to what you are permitted to take home with you.
Importing Items (bringing goods into Canada)
The following is a list of items you are allowed to bring into Canada tax-free if you are over 19 and a visitor to Canada (the rules are different for Canadians returning to Canada from abroad).
200gm tobacco, OR 200 cigarettes, OR 20 cigars, OR 200 tobacco sticks per person; 1.5 litres of wine OR 1.14 litres of liquor per person, gifts for relatives and friends, tax-free as long as each gift is valued at Cdn$60.00 or less.
(The primary focus of this article is on money-related matters. However, please keep in mind that there are other restrictions when crossing the border into Canada. In particular certain items are restricted or simply nor permitted - for example, firearms and other weapons may not be brought in. Also, radar detectors are not permitted in Ontario; you may not drive a car into Ontario which has a radar detection device mounted into it.)
Returning Home
The following is a guideline for visitors returning home from Canada and may change at any time. Contact your local embassy or consulate, before returning home, if you are unsure of an item you are bringing back home.
US Residents Every 30 days, returning U.S. Citizens are allowed to bring back duty free $400 worth of retail merchandise, provided they have been outside the U.S. for 48 hours. If the length of stay is less than 48 hours, $200 worth of merchandise may be taken back to the USA.
UK Residents Citizens of the U.K. returning from a non-EU country have a customs allowance of 200 cigarettes, OR 50 cigars, OR 250g of smoking tobacco; 2 litres of still table wine; 1 litre of spirits or strong liqueur (over 22% volume); 2 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine, OR other liqueurs; 60cc (ml) perfume; 250cc (ml) of cologne; AND £145 worth of all other goods, including gifts and souvenirs. People under 17 cannot have the tobacco or alcohol allowance.
EU Residents Each passenger over 17 years of age from a non-EU country is entitled to import the following articles duty-free; in 200 cigarettes, OR 50 cigars, OR 250g of tobacco (or a mixture of all three if their combined weight doesn't exceed 250g); 2l of wine, and 1 l of spirits with an alcoholic content exceeding 22% vol, OR 2 l of spirits/aperitifs with an alcoholic content less than 22% vol, OR 2 l champagne/sparkling wine/liqueur wine; 50 g of perfume; 0.25 l cologne; gifts of a value not exceeding approximately ECU 175. Limits cannot be added for passengers travelling together.
Australian Residents The duty-free allowance in Australia is A$400 OR, for those under 18, A$200. Personal property mailed back from abroad should be marked Australian goods returned to avoid payment of duty. Upon returning to Australia, citizens can bring in 250 cigarettes OR 250g of loose tobacco; and 1.125ml of alcohol. If you're returning with previously owned valuable goods, such as foreign-made cameras, file form B263.
New Zealand Residents The duty-free allowance for New Zealand is NZ$700. Citizens over 17 can bring in 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, OR 250g of tobacco (OR a mixture of all three if their combined weight doesn't exceed 250g); plus 4.5 litres of wine and beer, OR 1.125 litres of liquor. New Zealand currency does not carry import or export restrictions. Fill out a certificate of export, listing the valuables you are taking out of the country; that way, you can bring them back without paying duty.
Visitors to Canada from countries not listed here should check before they leave home as to what their own duty-free limits are.
Also see: Border Crossing
Last updated: 16 August 2003
Send comments or suggestions to treasurer@torcon3.on.ca.