How to Bring Valuable Belongings to Canada Without Paying Taxes or Duties

Moving to Canada is a big step, and many newcomers bring valuable personal items along with them. These can include personal belongings, household items, and even money that will help them start their new life in Canada.

But how can newcomers bring these assets safely and affordably? Here's a simple guide to what you can bring to Canada without paying taxes or duties and how to declare them.

What Can You Bring to Canada Without Paying Duties?

When you move to Canada, you can bring certain personal and household items without paying any government fees (duties). However, you must declare these items to a Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer.

Items That Usually Don’t Require Duties:

• Books
• Linens and clothes
• Jewelry
• Antiques
• Furniture
• Silverware
• Musical instruments
• Gifts worth CAD $60 or less each
• Hobby tools and collections (like coins, stamps, or art)
• Appliances (such as a stove or refrigerator)
  
  

Items That May Require Duties:

• Farm equipment
• Tools and equipment for contracting, construction, or manufacturing
• Vehicles for business use
• Items bought on your way to Canada
• Leased or rented items
• New, unused items
  
  

Special Conditions for Certain Items:

• Wedding Gifts: No duties if you owned them before arriving and got married within three months before or after arriving in Canada.
• Vehicles: Can be brought duty-free if they meet Canadian safety and pollution standards and are for personal use.
• Jewelry: May need detailed documentation and descriptions.
• Gifts: Duty-free if worth CAD $60 or less. You cannot bring alcohol or tobacco as gifts duty-free.
  
  

How Much Money Can You Bring to Canada?

You can bring a substantial amount of money to Canada without paying duties. However, if you carry CAD $10,000 or more (or equivalent in foreign currency), you must declare it to the CBSA.

Monetary Instruments That Must Be Declared:

• Stocks and bonds
• Traveler’s cheques
• Cheques, money orders, or bank drafts
  
  

How to Declare Your Belongings

At the Airport:

1. Scan Travel Documents: Upon arrival, use an airport kiosk or eGate (where available) to scan your travel documents. You can make a declaration on the screen.
2. Review and Edit: Double-check your declaration and make any necessary edits.
3. Submit the Declaration: After reviewing, submit your declaration.
4. Meet with a CBSA Officer: Take the printed receipt to a border services officer for final processing.
   
   

Advance Declaration Using ArriveCAN App:

1. Sign In: Log in to the ArriveCAN app or website.
2. Confirm Information: Enter and confirm your travel document details.
3. Answer Questions: Respond to customs and immigration questions.
4. Submit Declaration: Submit your declaration at least 72 hours before arrival.

If your travel plans change, you can update your declaration at the airport. If your declaration isn’t certified within 72 hours of submission, it will expire, and you’ll need to submit a new one.

Bringing Goods on Future Trips

If you plan to bring additional goods on future trips, you can submit a “goods to follow” list as part of your CBSA declaration. This allows you to bring those items later without paying duties, as long as they are eligible for duty-free entry and are included on the list.