Imports & Customs — Canada
What travelers need to know about imports & customs in Canada. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Imports & Customs in Canada: restricted — there are real limits travelers must follow.
The CAD $200 / $800 duty-free exemption you have probably read about does not apply to you. CBSA grants personal exemptions only to Canadian residents, former residents and temporary residents coming home - a US visitor gets none of them. You declare what you are carrying and pay duty and tax on what is assessable.
§ Canada Border Services Agency - Travellers: Paying duty and taxesDeclare every piece of food, plant and animal product you are carrying, including your pet. If you do not, CBSA can seize it and fine you up to CAD $1,300. From the US you may bring up to 20 kg of meat, but only retail-packaged and labelled "Product of USA" - meat from a farm or a backyard flock is never allowed, no matter how little of it you have.
Up to CAD $1,300 for failing to declare food, plant or animal products, and the goods may be seized. Quantities above the personal-use limits attract the over-access rate of duty; CBSA notes travellers may instead return the excess to the United States.
§ Canada Border Services Agency - What visitors can bring into Canada