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International Visitor Information

Customs and Immigration
American visitors crossing the border, either way, may be asked to verify their citizenship with documents such as a passport or a birth/baptismal certificate.  Naturalized U.S. citizens should carry a naturalization certificate.  Permanent U.S. residents who are not citizens are advised to bring their Alien Registration Receipt Card (Green Card).  Citizens of other countries (except Greenland and residents of St. Pierre & Miquelon) must have a valid passport and some also require a visitor's visa.

Travellers under the age of 18 and unaccompanied by a parent need a letter of permission to travel in Canada from a parent or guardian.  If you are traveling with children, you should carry identification for each child.  Divorced parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents.

Non-residents of Canada visiting Ontario are allowed to bring any reasonable amount of personal effects, a reasonable supply of food and a full tank of gas.  REASONABLE MEANS ENOUGH FOR PERSONAL USE FOR THE LENGTH OF THE STAY.  Please note that any unreasonable amounts are subject to duty.

Gifts
Visitors to Ontario can send gifts to friends or relatives in Canada, or can bring the gifts with them, and no duties will apply, provided the value of each gift does not exceed $60 (Canadian funds), and they do not consist of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or advertising material.  Gift packages sent by mail should be plainly marked "UNSOLICITED GIFT" and the value should be indicated.  Gifts at more than $60 dollars Canadian funds are subject to duties and taxes on the excess amount.

For more information, please contact Canada Custom Services at (416) 973-8022 / 1-800-461-9999 or mail: Revenue Canada, Customs & Excise, Public Relations Branch, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0L5

Duty Free Shops
Motorists crossing the U.S. / Ontario border at 11 major points are able to enjoy duty-free shopping on the Ontario side for goods that are to be taken with them directly into the United States.
For information on the locations of these duty-free shops, please contact Ontario Tourism at 1-800-ONTARIO/(705) 725-7280.  Please check ahead for hours of operation and holiday closures.

Sales Tax Refunds, Goods & Services Tax (GST) Refund
Visitors from outside Canada may claim a refund of the 7% federal GST (Goods & Services Tax) on accumulated purchases of a minimum $200, provided that each receipt is for at least $50 in goods before tax, and that the goods are taken out of Canada within 60 days of purchase.  GST that is charged on hotel & motel accommodations is also eligible for refund.  As of July 1998, short-term stays in campsites made available after June 1998 are eligible.  Excluded items are consumable goods, transportation, services, rentals, cruise ship cabins, and train berths.  Refund forms can be picked up at the Ontario Travel Information Centres, or by visiting: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/visitors/menu-e.html
Note: On September 25, 2006, the Government of Canada announced the elimination of the GST Visitors' Rebate Program effective April 1, 2007 as part of a package of spending restraint measures.  View details about the changes at: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/visitors/qa-e.html

Visitor Rebate Program Summerside Tax Centre
Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
275 Pope Rd., Suite # 104, Summerside, PEI, C1N 6C6
Phone: 1-800-66VISIT (668-4748), toll free from anywhere in Canada
Email: visitors@ccra-adrc.gc.ca