Customs Information For Ontario Travellers

CUSTOMS INFORMATION

Bringing Things In
Your Ontario vacation should be a pleasant one, filled with good experiences and memories. So to help you avoid delays and unnecessary problems at the border, we've outlined a few Customs rules and regulations.

Customs and Immigration.
 American visitors crossing the border, either way, may be asked to verify their citizenship with such documents as a passport, or a birth or baptismal certificate. Naturalized US citizens should carry a naturalization certificate. Permanent US residents who are not citizens are advised to bring their Alien Registration Receipt Card (Green Card).
 Citizens of other countries, except Greenland and residents of St-Pierre and Miquelon, must have a valid passport and some also require a visitor's visa. Travellers under the age of 18 and unaccompanied by a parent need a letter of permission from a parent or guardian to travel in Canada.
 As a non-resident of Canada visiting Ontario, you are allowed to bring in any reasonable amount of personal effects, a reasonable supply of food and a full tank of gas. Reasonable means enough for personal use during the length of stay in Canada. Please remember any unreasonable amounts are subject to duty.
For more information on Customs and Immigration, please contact:

Canada Customs Services
(Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) Customs and Excise, Public Relations Branch
Ottawa, Ontario KIA OL5
Tel: 1-800-461-9999 or (416) 973-8022

Gifts.
 Visitors to Ontario can send gifts to friends or relatives in Canada, or can bring the gifts with them, and no duties will apply, provided the value of each gift does not exceed $60 (Canadian funds), and they do not consist of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or advertising material. Gift packages sent by mail should be plainly marked "UNSOLICITED GIFT" and the value should be indicated. Gifts valued at more than $60 (Canadian funds) are subject to duties on the excess amount.

Alcoholic Beverages.
 Visitors arriving in Ontario who are 19 years of age or older may import, duty and tax free, for personal use either: 1.14 L (40 oz.) of liquor or wine; or 24 x 355 mL (12 oz.) cans or bottles of beer, ale or their equivalent.
 Visitors can import more alcoholic beverages (up to 45 L or 11.9 US gallons), if they are willing to pay the Ontario fees and taxes in addition to the duties that apply.

Tobacco.
 Visitors arriving in Ontario who are 19 years old or older may import, duty and tax free, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 g (14 oz.) of manufactured tobacco, and 200 tobacco sticks.
 Visitors who bring in more tobacco products will have to pay the Ontario taxes as well as the duties that apply.

Firearms and Ammunition.
 As a rule, prohibited or restricted weapons are not allowed into Canada. However, you may bring a hunting rifle or shotgun into Ontario as a visitor for hunting or competition purposes if you are 18 years of age or older, plus 200 rounds of ammunition for hunting, or 1,500 rounds for use at a recognized meet. Residents of Canada are permitted to bring in up to 5,000 rounds of ammunition without a permit. This is duty and tax free provided that it falls within the basic personal exemption of the Canadian resident traveller. To import a larger number of rounds of ammunition, the Canadian resident must apply in advance for an explosives permit from Environment Canada. Firearms manufactured as fully automatic are prohibited entry, regardless of any conversion, and no firearms less than 66 cm (26 in.) in length or with a barrel less than 46 cm (18 in.) are allowed, unless they are being imported for an approved shoot, at which time a temporary permit is required in advance from a local police agency. So please, no handguns. Mace/stun guns and other weapons are also prohibited.
For further information, please contact:

Chief Provincial Firearms Office of Ontario
777 Memorial Ave.
Orillia, Ontario L3V 7V3
Tel: 1-800-731-4000 or (705) 329-5522 Fax: (705) 329-7660

TAKING THINGS OUT
Duty Free Shops
 Motorists crossing the US/Ontario border at 11 major points will be able to enjoy duty-free shopping on the Ontario side for goods that are to be taken with them directly into the United States.

Duty Free Limits For Visitors Returning To The US
 US residents returning to the United States after 48 hours can take back $800 US worth of merchandise duty-free every 30 days. This may include 1 L (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcohol (provided the resident is 21 years or older), and 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars that are not of Cuban origin. After a visit of less than 48 hours, or if the $800 allowance or part of it has been used within the previous 30 days, an exemption of $200 US is allowed, including 150 mL (5 fl. oz.) of alcohol, 150 mL (5 fl. oz.) of perfume and no more than 50 cigarettes or 10 cigars, not of Cuban origin. Members of a family travelling together may combine their personal exemptions except in the case of the $200 exemption. Articles brought back into the US as part of an exemption must be for personal or household use. They must be brought with the person and properly declared. They must not be prohibited or restricted items. The duty charged varies based on the country the article was made in and the type of article. For further information on entering or re-entering the United States, please
contact US Customs.
Website: www.customs.ustreas.gov

Duty Free Limits For Visitors From Other Countries
 Great Britain, Germany, France Residents from the European Union returning home from Canada are entitled to import the following items duty-free per person (amounts may not be pooled between individuals travelling together):
Goods (total value):145 Pound Sterling (Great Britain), 0175 (Euro) for persons 17 and over (Germany), 0175 (Euro) for persons over 15 (France).
Alcohol: a) one litre of liquor over 22% alcohol by volume OR two litres of liquor under 22% AND b) two litres of still table wine.
Tobacco: 200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos OR 250 g of tobacco OR 50 cigars
Perfume: 60 mL of perfume AND 250 mL (9 oz.) of eau de toilette

Japan
 Residents of Japan returning home from Canada are entitled to import the following items duty free:
Goods: (total value): 200,000 yen
Alcohol: 3 bottles, 750 mL each
Tobacco: 50 cigars OR 200 cigarettes OR 250 g of tobacco
Perfume: 2 oz.

For more customs and duty information, please contact the appropriate consulate.