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Members Guide to the CANPASS Air Program
This document is also available in PDF (173 KB)
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Table of Contents
- Welcome to CANPASS Air
- Identification
- Do you have anything to declare?
- Penalties
- Do you need more information?
Welcom to CANPASS Air
As a CANPASS Air member, you can now clear customs and immigration quickly and securely by simply looking into a camera that confirms your identity.
CANPASS Air kiosks are located in the international arrivals area of participating Canadian airports. You can use these kiosks for CANPASS Air border clearance, unless instructed otherwise.
Your CANPASS Air membership is valid for one year, provided that you continue to meet the program's terms and conditions and comply with Canadian immigration and customs regulations.
Identification
It is important that you carry your CANPASS Air membership card, as well as official travel documents, each time you enter Canada. These documents include: a valid passport, citizenship certificate or card, birth certificate, photo identification, and employment and student authorizations. Your CANPASS Air card is not an official travel document and does not replace these documents.
Your CANPASS Air card proves that you are enrolled in the CANPASS Air program and is not transferable.
If you lose your CANPASS Air card, notify one of the following CANPASS Air enrolment centres immediately:
| Airport | Telephone |
|---|---|
| Calgary International Airport | (403) 292-5421 |
| Halifax International Airport | (902) 873-7637 |
| Pearson International Airport | (905) 676-3477 |
| Montréal-Trudeau International Airport | (514) 420-5151 |
| Vancouver International Airport | (604) 666-4598 |
| Winnipeg International Airport | (204) 983-4354 |
| Edmonton International Airport | (780) 890-4857 |
Children under the age of 18
Children under the age of 18, who are travelling without their parents or legal guardians, must carry proper identification and a letter authorizing their travel to Canada. The contact information of the parent or guardian should be included.
Change of information
Please notify a CANPASS Air enrolment centre of any changes in your personal information, such as your citizenship, address, telephone number or credit card data.
If you are a citizen or resident alien of the United States, please notify a CANPASS Air enrolment centre, if your reason for travelling to Canada changes or your personal circumstances change (for example, you are a student who wants to work in Canada, or you have a criminal conviction).
Do you have anything to declare?
All travellers entering Canada by air must complete a Form E311, Customs Declaration Card (PDF 56 KB).
Some goods may be controlled, restricted or prohibited in Canada. Please check our Web site before coming into Canada to ensure that you are aware of your obligations.
You can import promotional materials including samples, commercial goods or equipment. However, if you want to import these items, you have to use the regular customs inspection line, instead of the CANPASS Air kiosk.
Personal exemptions – Canadian residents
The following table explains personal exemptions. Be sure to mark them clearly. We will not issue refunds if you forget to claim your personal exemption.
| Length of stay outside Canada | Personal exemption (CAN $) |
|---|---|
| Less than 24 hours | $0 |
| 24 hours | $50 |
| 48 hours | $200 |
| 7 days or more | $750 |
Personal exemptions – United States residents
You can bring personal goods into Canada without paying duties and taxes, provided that they are not left in Canada.
You can bring gifts valued at CAN $60 or less into Canada without being subject to duties and taxes, provided that they are not alcohol, tobacco or business goods.
You will find further information on Form E311, Customs Declaration Card (PDF 56 KB).
Traveller Declaration Card – Canadian residents only
The Traveller Declaration Card (TDC) provides you with an additional option to pay duties and taxes at the CANPASS Air kiosk.
The TDC, issued in books of 25 cards, is designed to allow you to:
- declare goods using the CANPASS Air kiosk;
- mark the value of goods according to specific categories; and
- use a pre-approved credit card to pay any duty and taxes owing on goods imported for personal use only.
The maximum dollar amount that you can claim on a TDC includes any applicable personal exemption amount. You may or may not be entitled to an exemption depending on your length of stay outside Canada.
The value of the goods imported and declared on your TDC must not exceed the amounts below.
| Length of stay outside Canada | Maximum value of goods declared on TDC (includes exemption) | Exemption (No TDC required) |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 24 hours | $500 | N/A |
| 24 hours | $500 | $50 |
| 48 hours | $1,000 | $200 |
| 7 days or more | $1,550 | $750 |
If the value of the imported goods exceeds these amounts, you cannot use the TDC payment option and must pay the cashier any applicable duties and taxes.
Once you have completed your TDC transaction at the CANPASS Air kiosk, you will be issued a receipt. Please give this receipt and your completed E311 to the CBSA officer when you leave the customs hall.
You can find detailed instructions on how to complete your TDC at a CANPASS Air enrolment centre or on the CBSA Web site. You can get more booklets at the enrolment centers.
Penalties
Every time you enter Canada, you are subject to a customs inspection or an immigration examination.
CANPASS Air kiosks are for members only. It is a violation of program regulations to facilitate or attempt to facilitate the entry of a non-member through the CANPASS Air kiosk.
If you do not declare the goods you have with you or if you falsely declare them, the goods may be seized. This means that you may lose the goods permanently or have to pay to get them back. Such penalties may result in the suspension or cancellation of your CANPASS Air membership.
Do you need more information?
If you want more information on CANPASS Air, please call the Automated Customs Information Service at 1-800-461-9999, toll-free within Canada.
If you are calling from outside Canada, call (204) 983-3500 or (506) 636-5064 (long-distance charges apply).
You can also find information in the CANPASS section.
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