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What can you bring to Canada?

What customs allows on arrival, item by item, and what can travel in the cabin or the hold. Every rule cites its official source and the date we read it.

Customs at a glance

Duty-free allowance
Returning Canadian residents: up to CAN$200 after 24 hours away, CAN$800 after 48 hours. Alcohol and tobacco do not count in the CAN$200. Canada Border Services Agency, read on 2026-10-23
Alcohol
After 48 hours away, one of: 1.5 L of wine, 1.14 L of spirits or 8.5 L of beer. Minimum age 18 or 19 depending on the province. Canada Border Services Agency, read on 2026-10-23
Tobacco
After 48 hours away: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 g of tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks, from age 18. Packages must be stamped "duty paid Canada". Canada Border Services Agency, read on 2026-10-23
Food
Banned food is confiscated and can lead to a fine. GOV.UK (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), read on 2026-10-23

Item by item

Everyday items

Cosmetics and toiletries

Medicine and baby

  • Over-the-counter medicineCheck before you travel

    Fine for your own use, and exempt from the liquids rule when you can justify the need. Keep it in its box with the leaflet.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin or hold

    Medicine and baby food are exempt from the 100 ml rule, for the outbound trip, the stay and the return, with a prescription or an obvious need.

    At customs

    We found no citable official source for this rule in this country. Check with its customs before you travel.

  • Prescription medicineCheck before you travel

    Allowed, but the customs allowance covers "the traveller’s own needs". Carrying someone else’s prescription falls outside that: keep the prescription with the box, and check the arrival country.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin or hold

    Medicine and baby food are exempt from the 100 ml rule, for the outbound trip, the stay and the return, with a prescription or an obvious need.

    At customs

    We found no citable official source for this rule in this country. Check with its customs before you travel.

  • Infant formulaCheck before you travel

    Exempt from the liquids rule in the cabin. Entering the EU it counts as an animal product: 2 kg per person.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin or hold

    Medicine and baby food are exempt from the 100 ml rule, for the outbound trip, the stay and the return, with a prescription or an obvious need.

    At customs

    We found no citable official source for this rule in this country. Check with its customs before you travel.

  • Food supplementsAllowed with limits

    Generally fine sealed and in their original packaging. Some countries treat certain active ingredients as medicine, so check the destination.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin or hold

    At customs

    Allowed with limits

    Returning Canadian residents: up to CAN$200 after 24 hours away, CAN$800 after 48 hours. Alcohol and tobacco do not count in the CAN$200.

Food

Electronics

Batteries and vaping

  • Power bankAllowed with limits

    Cabin only, without exception. This is the single most common mistake, and a power bank in the hold is the reason cargo fires start where nobody can reach them.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin baggage only, never in the hold

    Cabin only, always. 100 Wh or less, up to 20 spares per person, each protected against short circuits. Between 100 and 160 Wh, two maximum and the airline must agree.

    At customs

    Allowed with limits

    Returning Canadian residents: up to CAN$200 after 24 hours away, CAN$800 after 48 hours. Alcohol and tobacco do not count in the CAN$200.

  • Spare batteriesAllowed with limits

    Cabin only, terminals taped or in their original packaging. Loose in a bag they short against keys and coins.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin baggage only, never in the hold

    Cabin only, always. 100 Wh or less, up to 20 spares per person, each protected against short circuits. Between 100 and 160 Wh, two maximum and the airline must agree.

    At customs

    Allowed with limits

    Returning Canadian residents: up to CAN$200 after 24 hours away, CAN$800 after 48 hours. Alcohol and tobacco do not count in the CAN$200.

  • E-cigarette and vapeCheck before you travel

    Cabin only, never the hold, and never charged on board. Protect it against accidental activation.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin baggage only, never in the hold

    Cabin only, protected against accidental activation. Never charge one on board.

    At customs

    We found no citable official source for this rule in this country. Check with its customs before you travel.

  • Smart luggageAllowed with limits

    Fine if the battery comes out and travels in the cabin. A bag whose battery is sealed in and over 2.7 Wh is refused outright.

    On the aircraft

    Cabin or hold

    A non-removable battery must not exceed 2.7 Wh, otherwise the bag is refused outright. A removable battery has to come out before check-in and travel in the cabin.

    At customs

    Allowed with limits

    Returning Canadian residents: up to CAN$200 after 24 hours away, CAN$800 after 48 hours. Alcohol and tobacco do not count in the CAN$200.

Valuables

Alcohol, tobacco, dangerous goods

Rules change, and they vary by country, by airline and by type of transport. Always check the official conditions before you travel. This page is information, not legal or customs advice.

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