Tourist and Traveler
Information for Ontario
Customs Information and Immigrations
Laws
American
visitors crossing the border, either way, may be asked for ID and to
verify their citizenship. You may use such things as a passport,
birth certificate, baptismal certificate, naturalization
certificate, or Receipt Card (Green Card).
Citizens of other countries, except
Greenland and residents of St-Pierre and Miquelon must have a valid
passport and some may also require a visitor's pass. Anyone under
the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or have a
letter of permission from same to travel in Canada.
You are allowed to bring a
"reasonable" amount of personal effects, food and gasoline. Anything
considered "unreasonable" will be subject to duty fees.
Gifts
You can bring gifts into Canada for
friends or family living here, duty free, as long as the value of
each gifts does not exceed $60.00 CAN and they do not consist of
tobacco products, alcohol, or advertising material. Gifts over the
$60.00 limit will be charged duty on the excess amount.
Alcoholic Beverages
Visitors to Canada over the age of 19
may bring with them, for personal use, either 40 oz of liquor or
wine; or 24 12 oz cans or bottles of beer, ale or their equivalent.
You can bring up to 11.9 US gallons with you if you are willing to
pay the Ontario fees and taxes in addition to duties that apply.
Tobacco
Visitors who are 19 years or over may
import, duty and tax free, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 14 oz of
tobacco, and 200 tobacco sticks. Visitors bringing more will have to
pay the Ontario taxes and duties that apply.
Firearms and Ammunition
As a rule, prohibited or restricted
weapons are not allowed in Canada. You may however, bring a hunting
rifle or shotgun into Ontario for hunting or competition purposed if
you are 18 years old or older. You may also add 200 rounds of
ammunition for hunting, or 1,500 rounds for use at a recognized
meet.
Firearms manufactured as fully
automatic are prohibited entry, regardless of any conversion and no
firearms less than 26 inches in length or with a barrel less than 18
inches are allowed, unless they are being imported for an approved
shoot, at which temporary permit is required in advance from a local
police agency. Basically, no handguns! Mace/stunguns and other
weapons are also prohibited.
Pets & Plants
All animals are subject to veterinary
inspection on arrival in Canada. If evidence or suspicion of disease
is found, the animals may be refused entry into the country.
Dogs and domestic cats from the
United States will need certification, signed by a licensed
veterinarian, that they have been vaccinated against rabies during
the preceding 36 month period.
Birds may be brought into Canada
provided they have an signed certificate from a licensed
veterinarian stating that the bird has been inspected within the
last week and is free of disease.
Visitors from other countries should
contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to find out their
requirements.
Permission is required to import
plants to Canada, with the exception of house plants for the US. On
entering Canada, all plants and plant material must be declared to
the Customs personnel.
The Health of Animals Branch,
Canada Department of Agriculture
SBI Building, 2323 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0Y9
The Health of Animals Branch,
Canada Department of Agriculture
179 Stone Road West
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 4S9
Canada Customs
Services (Revenue Canada)
Customs and Excise, Public Relations Branch
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0L5
1-800-461-9999
416-973-8022
Service is available in English or French
Chief Provincial
Firearms Office of Ontario
777 Memorial Ave.
Orillia, Ontario, L3V 7V3
1-800-731-4000
705-329-7662
Canadian Food
Inspection Agency
174 Stone Rd. Guelph, Ontario, N1G 4S9
1-800-835-4486
905-612-6285
All information on this web site was accurate at
the time of writing. Laws change. The information contained here is meant
only
to be a casual introduction to the laws and requirements to
enter Canada and should not be considered the final word in
accuracy. Please call one of the following governmental
agencies for additional information before trying to enter the
country.
