Country Guide

Canada customs import limits

Official duty-free allowances for alcohol, tobacco, cash, medicines, and other goods when entering Canada. See what you can bring before you fly.

Alcohol allowance

This is one real customs example for travelers entering Canada.

Category Alcohol
All arrivals Traveler rules apply
Beer or ale 8.5 liters
Duty-free limit
8.5 litres of beer or ale (approximately 24 cans or bottles of 355 ml each).

More Canada customs limits

Exact thresholds for all categories are available in the app. Download CustomsLimit to check your full trip before you fly.

Spirits (over 22% alcohol) ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Spirits & liqueurs (up to 22%) ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Still wine ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipe) ••• pieces / grams
Duty-free limit
Cash (CAD or equivalent) Declaration from ••• CAD
Declaration required
Medicines (uncontrolled / OTC) Personal use only — conditions apply
Restricted
Controlled substances / narcotics Authorization required
Restricted
Meat, dairy & animal products See app for conditions
Restricted / Prohibited
General food items ••• kg limit
Duty-free limit
Live plants & plant products Phytosanitary cert. may apply
Restricted
Cultural artifacts & antiques Authorization may be required
Restricted

Exact limits, declaration thresholds, age restrictions, and combined rules for all categories are available free in the CustomsLimit app for Canada and 59 other countries.

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Know before you go

Surprising restriction for Canada

Firearms and weapons must be declared on arrival. Many firearms are prohibited in Canada. Authorization and permits are required for restricted and non-restricted firearms. Failure to declare firearms is a serious criminal offence.

The CustomsLimit app shows the full traveler context for Canada before you travel.

About Canada customs

Canada's customs rules are administered by Canada Border Services Agency. Traveler allowances and restrictions can vary based on where you are arriving from, your age, and the type of goods you carry.

Traveler rules can change based on route, age, item type, and whether goods are for personal use. CustomsLimit helps you check the full country guide for Canada before travel.

Canada customs — frequently asked questions

How much beer or ale can I bring into Canada?
8.5 liters is the real traveler example shown on this page for Canada. The CustomsLimit app shows the rest of the country guide, including other categories, declarations, and restrictions.
What is the duty-free alcohol allowance for Canada?
Canada has country-specific alcohol limits that can change based on the type of alcohol and the traveler route. The page above shows one example, while the CustomsLimit app shows the full alcohol breakdown for Canada.
Do I need to declare cash when entering Canada?
You must declare any currency (cash) or monetary instruments (i.e. cheques, money orders, bank drafts, etc.) valued at CAN$10,000 or more. There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can bring into or take out of Canada and it is not illegal to do so; you just need to declare it. The CustomsLimit app shows the declaration rule in the context of the rest of your trip.

Check all Canada limits free in the app

CustomsLimit covers Canada and 59 other countries with exact thresholds, combined limits, age restrictions, and declaration rules. Free to download.

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