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Canada duty-free exemption by trip length
Enter how long you were out of Canada to see the CBSA personal exemption, alcohol and tobacco limits that apply when you return.
Enter a time to see your exemption.
The CBSA tiers
| Absence | Exemption | Alcohol and tobacco |
|---|---|---|
| Absence of 24 hours or more | CAN$200 | Not included |
| Absence of 48 hours or more | CAN$800 | Allowed within limits |
| Absence of 7 days or more | CAN$800 | Allowed within limits |
The CBSA says personal exemptions do not apply to same-day cross-border shoppers (absence of less than 24 hours). Duty and taxes apply to the goods you bring back.
You cannot combine exemptions: for a 9-day absence you cannot add the 48-hour (CAN$800) and 7-day (CAN$800) exemptions for CAN$1,600.
After a trip of 48 hours or longer you are also entitled to a beneficial duty rate of 7% on additional goods valued up to CAN$300 over your exemption (not for tobacco or alcohol).
Alcohol and tobacco (48 hours or more)
Alcohol and tobacco apply only if you have been away 48 hours or more. You must meet the minimum age where you enter Canada (18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec; 19 elsewhere) and be 18 for tobacco or vaping products.
- Up to 1.5 litres of wine (about two 750 ml bottles), or
- up to 1.14 litres of liquor (one large standard bottle), or
- up to 8.5 litres of beer or ale (about 24 cans or bottles of 355 ml)
- 200 cigarettes
- 50 cigars
- 200 grams of manufactured tobacco
- 200 tobacco sticks
- Vaping: maximum 120 ml (liquid) or 120 g (solid) in any combination of not more than 12 vaping devices and immediate containers
The tobacco amounts above are for products stamped 'duty paid Canada droit acquitté'. Unstamped products are charged a special duty rate.
Sources
- CBSA: I Declare - a guide for residents returning to Canada, page dated 2025-11-25, read 2026-10-20.
Rules change. Figures above are copied from the pages listed, as read on the date shown. Your border officer's decision at the time of crossing is final.