Education

What You Can And Cannot Bring With You Into Canada

Published on December 23, 2023

Canada prohibits travellers from bringing many things – including endangered species, foods, plants and animals that may pose a risk to Canadians – into the country.

“To avoid the possibility of penalties, including fines, seizure or prosecution, make sure you have the information you need before attempting to import items into Canada,” cautions the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Even for goods which travellers are allowed to bring with them to Canada, there is often a requirement to have written authorization or a permit.

That can apply to:

health products and prescription drugs;
antiques or cultural objects that have historical significance to their country of origin, and;
explosives, fireworks and certain types of ammunition.

Firearms

Given the right to bear arms in the United States, many Americans are caught unawares when attempting to enter Canada with their firearms.

“All weapons and firearms must be declared when you enter Canada,” notes the CBSA. “When you arrive in Canada, you must (also) inform the Canada Border Services Agency of all the goods you have with you that you obtained while you were outside Canada.”

Those who want to import firearms into Canada must have a valid reason for doing so and those can include:

hunting during hunting season (limited to non-restricted firearms only);
use in competitions;
repair;
in transit movement, that is, moving in the most direct route possible from point A to point B, through Canada, or;
protection against wildlife in remote areas (limited to non-restricted firearms only).

“If you are importing non-restricted firearms and you hold a valid Canadian firearms licence, you will need to show the licence to a border services officer,” notes the CBSA.

Those who do not have a Canadian firearms licence – do not have a registration certificate for their restricted firearm – must complete Form RCMP 5589: Non-Resident Firearm Declaration which serves as the visitor’s firearms licence for up to 60 days while in Canada and pay a $25 fee.

“Visitors to Canada cannot, under any circumstances, import prohibited firearms, prohibited devices or prohibited weapons,” notes the CBSA.

Cannabis

Although cannabis products are legally sold in stores in Canada, it also cannot be transported across the border.

The Cannabis Act, which legalizes and regulates cannabis (marijuana) in Canada, creates a strict legal framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale and possession of this product in Canada.

“Transporting cannabis across the border in any form – including any oils containing THC or cannabidiol (CBD) – without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada remains a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution, despite the legalization of cannabis in Canada,” warns the CBSA.

Explosives

Since Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is currently in the process of updating its Explosives Regulations, 2013, those who intend to come to Canada in 2024 would do well to stay abreast of the amendments being proposed.

The most significant change for travellers who might want to bring explosives into Canada involves a proposed update to the list of regulated explosive precursor chemicals, otherwise known as restricted components. There are currently 10 such precursor chemicals and the amendment would see that expanded also to include:

calcium ammonium nitrate;
aluminum powder;
hexamine, and;
acetone.

Bringing in companion animals is also something which can be problematic depending on the type of animal, including dogs, and their country of origin.

“As of Sept. 28, 2022, commercial dogs at high risk for dog rabies to be stopped from entering Canada,” notes the border services agency.

“From this date until further notice, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will not issue import permits for commercial dogs from countries at high risk for dog rabies.”

The countries considered to be at high risk for dog rabies currently include:

The following countries and political units are considered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as being high risk for rabies caused by canine-variant viruses (dog rabies):

Africa

Algeria, Angola
Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi
Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini (Swaziland), Ethiopia
Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau
Kenya
Lesotho, Liberia, Libya
Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique
Namibia, Niger, Nigeria
Republic of Congo, Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan
Tanzania (including Zanzibar), Togo, Tunisia
Uganda
Western Sahara
Zambia, Zimbabwe

Americas and Caribbean

Belize, Bolivia, Brazil
Colombia, Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador, El Salvador
Guatemala, Guyana
Haiti, Honduras
Peru
Suriname
Venezuela

Asia and the Middle East, Europe

Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan
Bangladesh, Belarus
Cambodia, Ceuta and Melilla, China (mainland only)
Georgia
India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq
Jordan
Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic
Laos, Lebanon
Malaysia, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma)
Nepal, North Korea
Oman
Pakistan, Philippines
Qatar
Russia
Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria
Tajikistan, Thailand, Türkiye, Turkmenistan
Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan
Vietnam
Yemen

Poultry Products

Due to outbreaks of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the United States, the CFIA is also restricting the importation of some poultry products or by-products from the United States.

The current list of affected states is:

Alabama
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Georgia
Iowa
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
South Dakota
Washington
Wisconsin

Even poultry products must be retail packaged, for human consumption and clearly labelled as a “Product of the USA” to enter Canada.

Restricted items include:

restaurant food or leftovers;
homemade food;
poultry products and by-products from roadside stands or farms;
poultry items from backyard flocks, and;
meat items (including poultry) entering Canada by mail or courier.

Allowed products into Canada from any U.S. state, regardless of HPAI outbreak status, as of March 15, 2023 include retail packaged poultry products for human consumption that are clearly labelled as a “Product of the USA”, including:

raw table eggs;
vacuum-packed flats of raw chicken breasts and thighs;
rotisserie chickens;
frozen chicken strips or wings;
frozen whole turkeys and chickens;
deli meat, and;
hard boiled eggs.

With regards to pet food, cooked kibble or canned pet food with avian ingredients can be imported, regardless of outbreak status, as long as the pet accompanies the traveler. Raw pet food is not eligible for importation by travelers at any time.

“Live pet birds are still permitted into Canada with official certification from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA),” notes the CBSA.

“Carcasses of hunted wild game birds originating from the United States are still permitted into Canada with a hunting permit.”

Since even a single piece of fruit or meat can be harmful to the Canadian ecosystems, many foods, plant and animal products are restricted or prohibited entry because they can harbour invasive species, foreign animal diseases and plant pests.

“These things can cause irreparable harm to Canada’s crops, livestock, environment, and threaten Canada’s economy,” notes the CBSA.

Those things which can be considered a risk to Canada include:

food, such as raw or cooked meats, fruit/vegetables, milk;
homemade articles, such as items made from plants or wood;
houseplants;
live animals, including pets;
bait for recreational fishing;
firewood;
plant cuttings, seeds, bulbs, and even just;
soiled hiking boots.

Although it does not come up often, border services agency officials in Canada do work to curb the trade in elephant tusks and rhinoceros horns and stricter measures will be in place as of Jan. 8, 2024 with new permit requirements.

Violations Can Result In Fines Of Up To $1,300, Confiscation Of Goods And Additional Costs

“Restrictions on what items you are allowed to bring into Canada depend on the product, country of origin and province of import,” notes the CBSA. “These controls are set up to help keep Canada’s animals, plants and natural habitats healthy and safe. Restrictions may be adjusted at any time due to emerging threats.”

Many travellers coming to Canada are unaware of the hazards associated with food, plant and animal products which may carry invasive species and diseases and pose risks to Canada’s food supply, economy, environment and the health of Canadians.

It is, though, the responsibility of every traveller to declare whatever he or she is bringing into Canada.

“Failure to declare any of these products or to provide required permits/certificates can lead to: detention of your products; a penalty up to $1300, and; prosecution,” cautions the CBSA.

“Inadmissible goods may be confiscated and disposed of, or ordered removed from Canada. Travellers may also be held responsible for any costs related to the disposal, quarantine, treatment or removal of these items from Canada.”

A minor violation can result in a fine of $500, a serious violation can come with an $800 fine and a very serious violation a fine of up to $1,300.

“If you receive a notice of violation with a warning, you have three choices.

accept the warning and waive any right to appeal;
request a ministerial review by submitting a written request for a review by the minister of the facts of the violation within 30 days of the date on the notice of violation, or;
request a tribunal review by submitting a written request for a review by the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal of the facts of the violation within 30 days of the date on the notice of violation.

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