Information for Visitors to Canada

and Seasonal Residents

UP TO DATE INFORMATION

2008

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ARRIVING IN CANADA

Our border services officers are at the ports of entry to ensure that people entering Canada

respect Canadian laws. They are authorized to examine people and goods entering

Canada to determine their admissibility. Their goal is to facilitate the entry of legitimate

travelers and goods as quickly as possible.

When you enter Canada, a border services officer may ask to see your passport

and a valid visa, when necessary. If you are a citizen of the United States, you do

not need a passport to enter Canada; however, you should carry proof of your

citizenship such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization or

a Certificate of Indian Status, as well as a photo ID. If you are a permanent resident

of the United States, you must bring your permanent resident card (i.e. green card)

with you. For more information on admissibility into Canada, read the fact sheet

called Managing Access to Canada.

It is available on Web site

Click here

Bringing children into Canada

Border services officers are on alert for children who need protection.

Children under the age of 18 are classified as minors and are subject to the

same entry requirements as any other visitor to Canada.

We will conduct a more detailed examination of minors entering Canada

without proper identification or those traveling in the company of adults other

than their parents or legal guardian(s). This additional scrutiny helps ensure

the safety of the children.

Minors traveling alone must have proof of citizenship and a letter from

both parents detailing the length of stay, providing the parents’ telephone number

and authorizing the person waiting for them to take care of them while

they are in Canada.

If you are traveling with minors, you must carry proper identification for

each child such as a birth certificate, passport, citizenship card,

permanent resident card or Certificate of Indian Status.

If you are divorced or separated, you should carry with you copies of the

legal custody agreements for your children. If you are traveling with minors

and you are not their parent/guardian, you should have written permission

from the parent/guardian authorizing the trip. The letter should include addresses

and telephone numbers of where the parents or guardian can be reached and

identify a person who can confirm that the children are not being abducted

or taken against their will. If you are traveling with a group of vehicles,

make sure you arrive at the border in the same vehicle as your children,

to avoid any confusion.

Alcohol and tobacco

If you meet the minimum age requirements of the province or territory

where you enter Canada, you can include limited quantities of alcoholic

beverages in your personal entitlement. These items must accompany you

on your arrival. Minimum ages for the importation of alcoholic beverages as

prescribed by provincial or territorial authority, are

18 years for Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and

 19 years for Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia,

Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island

and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Alcoholic beverages

You are allowed to import only one of the following amounts of alcohol free

of duty and taxes:

1.5 litres (53 imperial ounces) of wine;

1.14 litres (40 ounces) of liquor;

a total of 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of wine and liquor; or

24 x 355 millilitre (12 ounces) cans or bottles (maximum of 8.5 litres)

of beer or ale.

Note:

We classify "cooler" products according to the alcoholic beverage

they contain. For example, beer coolers are considered to be beer, wine coolers

are considered to be wine. We do not consider beer and wine products not

exceeding 0.5% alcohol by volume to be alcoholic beverages.

Tobacco products

You are allowed to bring in all of the following amounts of tobacco into

Canada without paying duty:

200 cigarettes;

50 cigars or cigarillos;

200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco; and

200 tobacco sticks.

You may bring in additional quantities but you will have to pay full duty

and taxes on the excess amount. If you plan a side trip abroad during your visit,

you must be out of Canada for at least 48 hours to be eligible to claim

these entitlements again.

Restrictions

Canada’s firearms legislation helps make the country safer for both residents

and visitors. Before you attempt to import a firearm or weapon, contact

the Canada Firearms Centre for information.

The following requirements apply to the importation of firearms

and weapons:you must be at least 18 years of age;

you can import non-restricted and restricted firearms, provided you

meet all requirements; and you cannot import prohibited firearms, weapons

or devices, including silencers, replica firearms, switchblades and other weapons.

You must declare all weapons and firearms at the CBSA port of entry or

they will be seized and you may be subject to arrest.

As a visitor, you may temporarily import restricted firearms and non-restricted firearms,

such as pistols or revolvers, provided you get Form CAFC 679, 

Application for an Authorization to Transport Restricted Firearms

and Prohibited Firearms in advance from a chief firearms officer of the province

or territory to which you are importing a restricted firearm.

As a seasonal resident, you may import restricted firearms but you must

have a valid Possession and Acquisition License or a valid

Firearms Acquisition Certificate, in addition to Form CAFC 679.

For more information on importing a firearm into Canada,

ask for a copy of the publication called Importing a Firearm

For more information about applying for a Canadian firearms license

or Form CAFC 679, contact:

Canada Firearms Centre Ottawa

ON K1A 1M6

Telephone: 1-800-731-4000 (toll-free in Canada and the United States)

506-624-5380 (from all other countries)

Facsimile: 613-957-7325

E-mail: cfc-cafc@cfc-cafc.gc.ca

Web site:

CLICK HERE

Replica firearms are designed or intended to resemble a firearm with near precision.

They are classified as prohibited devices and you cannot import them into Canada.

Mace or pepper spray that is used for the purpose of injuring, immobilizing

or otherwise incapacitating any person is considered a prohibited weapon.

You cannot import it into Canada.

Aerosol or similar dispensers that contain substances capable of repelling

or subduing animals are not considered weapons if the label of the container

specifically indicates that they are for use against animals

Prescription drugs

If you are importing prescription drugs, make sure they are clearly identified.

The drugs should be in the original packaging with a label that specifies what

they are and that they are being used under prescription. If this is not possible,

carry a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor.

Animals

You may import pet dogs and cats younger than three months

old from the United States without submitting any documentation.

However, a CFIA veterinarian must examine them if they appear unhealthy.

If you own an assistance dog that is certified as a guide, hearing or

other service dog, the animal is not subject to any restrictions as long

as it accompanies you to Canada.

If you own cats older than three months, dogs older than eight months

and pet dogs between three and eight months, you may import them from

the United States as long as they accompany you when you enter Canada.

You will also have to submit a certificate signed and dated by a veterinarian

for each pet. The certificate must show that the animal is currently vaccinated

against rabies and include the name of the vaccine used and its expiry date.

 In addition, it has to identify the animal by breed, age, sex, colouring and

any distinguishing marks. We cannot accept an animal tag in place of a certificate.

If you import pet dogs between three and eight months that do not accompany you,

you may require additional permits and certifications.

You need permits to import insects and butterflies controlled by CITES.

If you are importing other animals from the United States, or animals

of any kind from other countries, contact the BIS at one of the numbers listed

in the section called "Additional information" 

or refer to the AIRS section on

the CFIA Web site at

CLICK HERE

Private boats

If you arrive in Canada aboard a private boat, you must proceed

directly to the nearest designated telephone reporting marine site.

 Upon arrival in Canada, the master of the boat must report

to the CBSA by calling:

1-888-226-7277

The master of the boat will provide details of the voyage, the passengers

and their declaration. No one except the master may leave the boat until

authorized to do so by the CBSA. As proof of presentation, masters will be provided

with a report number for their records. Masters must provide this number to

a border services officer upon request.

 You do not have to report to the CBSA when you leave by private boat

unless you are exporting goods that need to be documented.

To get a list of the designated telephone reporting marine sites,

call

1-888-226-7277

before you arrive in Canada.

NEXUS Highway

The NEXUS Highway program is a joint Canada- United States initiative

that allows low-risk, frequent and pre-approved travelers to cross the

border through dedicated lanes.

NEXUS is currently offered at the following locations:

Douglas, British Columbia/Peace Arch, Washington

Pacific Highway, British Columbia/Blaine, Washington

Boundary Bay, British Columbia/Point Roberts, Washington

Sarnia, Ontario/Port Huron, Michigan (Bluewater Bridge)

Fort Erie, Ontario/Buffalo, New York (Peace Bridge)

Windsor, Ontario/Detroit, Michigan (Ambassador Bridge and International Tunnel)

Niagara Falls, Ontario/Niagara Falls, New York (Rainbow and Whirlpool Bridges)

Lacolle, Quebec/Champlain, New York

St-Armand-Philipsburg, Quebec/Highgate Springs, Vermont

NEXUS Air

There is also a pilot project for NEXUS Air operating at Vancouver  Airport.

Website:

CLICK HERE

Tax rebates for visitors

When you leave, you may be eligible for a tax refund on the

goods you bought in Canada if you export them within 60 days.

For more information, ask for a copy of the publication called

Tax Refund for Visitors to Canada 

from the Canada Revenue Agency

or call

1-800-66VISIT

(1-800-668-4748).

Vehicles and Private Boats

During your visit in Canada, you can temporarily import passenger

and recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles, outboard motors, boats,

trailers and most other kinds of vehicles for your personal use.

You cannot leave temporarily imported goods in Canada between

visits unless they have been properly reported to the CBSA and

you were issued Form E99, Canada Customs Report.

You must display this form on your vehicle, boat or trailer or

have it easily available to prove that you imported the goods legally.

Remember to watch for the expiry date.

If you leave goods in Canada beyond the expiry date, and they

are not in accordance with the CBSA regulations,

they may become subject to seizure and forfeiture.

You and the Border Services Officer

You may occasionally find yourself going through a more detailed inspection.

In some cases, this simply means that you may have to complete a form.

 In other cases, the border services officer will need to identify the

goods you are bringing into the country or examine your luggage.

Border services officers are legally entitled to examine your luggage

as part of their responsibility to protect Canada’s safety, economy

and environment. You are responsible for opening, unpacking and repacking

your luggage. We appreciate your cooperation.

In addition to the activities mentioned above, border services officers

may arrest an individual for an offence under the Criminal Code

(e.g. impaired driving, outstanding arrest warrants, stolen property and

abductions/kidnappings) and for infractions under other acts of Parliament

(e.g. the Customs Act).

 If you are arrested, you may be compelled to attend court in Canada.

You should note that anyone arrested in Canada is protected by, and

will be treated in accordance with, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Additional information

If you have any other questions, contact the

 Border Information Service (BIS) line.

This is a 24-hour telephone service that automatically answers

all incoming calls and provides general border services information.

You can access BIS free of charge throughout Canada by calling

1-800-461-9999

If you are calling from outside Canada, you can access BIS by calling

 204-983-3500

or 506-636-5064

(long-distance charges will apply).

 If you call during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time,

Monday to Friday, except holidays),

you can speak directly to an agent by pressing "0" at any time.

INTERNET LINK

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 GST – HST REBATE INFORMATION

Questions and Answers on the

Cancellation of the Visitor Rebate Program

and the New Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program

CLICK HERE

Visitors to Canada - Individual/Tourist

The Government of Canada has eliminated the GST/HST

Visitor Rebate Program and announced the introduction of the

Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program

What can you claim?

Due to the elimination of the GST/HST Visitor Rebate Program that

took effect on April 1, 2007, a rebate is no longer available for the

tax paid on personal goods bought after March 31, 2007.

 However, for information purposes only, the old rules were as follows:

Eligible Short-Term Accommodation

You can claim a refund on short-term accommodation

(e.g. hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, hostels, and camping)

if both of the following conditions apply to you:

Each accommodation unit was provided to you for less than one month of continuous

occupancy; and Each receipt shows the number of nights of accommodation in

each unit of a lodging establishment made available to you.

You do not need a minimum of $50 CAN on each accommodation receipt 

to be eligible to claim a refund.

Camping

You can claim a GST/HST refund for a campsite that you rented for less

than one month of continuous occupancy.

Camping accommodation means a campsite at a recreational trailer park or

campground and includes: water, electricity, waste disposal services,

and charges for hook-ups when supplied with the campsite.

Quick Calculation Option

The Quick Calculation Option is an alternative method to calculate a

claim on short-term accommodation (e.g. hotels, motels, resorts,

bed and breakfasts, hostels, and camping).

Whether you apply for a refund of tax paid on short-term accommodation only,

or on a tour package that includes accommodation, you may claim a flat rate

of $5 per room per night (not per person) to a maximum of $75 per application

for short-term accommodation.

For camping accommodations, you may claim a flat rate of $1 for each night

the campsite was made available to you, up to a maximum of $75 per application.

To be eligible to use this option, you must send us the original receipts

on which you were charged GST/HST.

If you choose the quick calculation option,

you have to use it consistently throughout your claim.

Travel Tour Packages

Travel tour packages usually combine short-term accommodation

and other services (for example meal, transportation, sightseeing tours,

and recreational fees) for an all-inclusive price.

If your tour package included eligible short-term accommodation,

you can claim half of the full amount of the GST/HST you paid for the tour package.

Example

You bought a travel tour package for $250 CAN.

The tax refund amount would be:

Tour package price × GST × 50%

$250 CAN × 0.06 × 50%

=$7.50 CAN

However, if the tour package does not include eligible short-term accommodation

in Canada for every night as part of the package, you have to adjust the refund.

You also have the option of using the Quick Calculation Option to calculate

a refund on short-term accommodation.

Quick Calculation Option

CLICK HERE

Forms and Publications

Form GST176, Application for Visitor Tax Refund

CLICK HERE

Tax Refund for Visitors to Canada pamphlet (RC4031)

CLICK HERE

GST/HST Info Sheet GI-026, Visitor Rebate Program

Accommodation Rebate for Non-Residents

CLICK HERE

REFUND INFORMATION

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