Items Restricted for Import in Canada

Overview

As of this writing, importing the following goods into Canada is restricted or prohibited.

Food, plants, animals, and related products

You must declare all food, plants, animals, and rproducts that you import into Canada. Failure to do so can result in confiscating your goods, or you may be subject to a fine or prosecution. If you are importing for personal purposes, remember that you must accompany the product(s) you are importing into Canada.Certain species of plants and animals endangered or threatened due to commercial exploitation are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Their trade is carefully controlled. If you have questions about importing a CITES species, visit the CITES websiteSome aquatic invasive species (AIS), such as zebra, quagga mussels, and live Asian carp, are prohibited entry to Canada. Refer to Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Aquatic Invasive Species website. Aquatic Invasive Species website.

Other restricted or prohibited items are:

• Food, such as raw or cooked meats, fruit/vegetables, and milk;

• Homemade articles, such as items made from plants or wood;

• Houseplants;

• Live animals, including pets;

• Plant cuttings, seeds;

Health products and prescription drugs

In Canada, health products may be regulated differently than in other countries. For example, what is available without a prescription in one country may require a prescription in Canada. Individuals are permitted to import a single course of treatment or a 90-day supply based on the directions for use, whichever is less, of an Over the Counter Drug. The OTC must be shipped/carried in one of the following:

• Hospital or pharmacy dispensed packaging;

• Original retail packaging; or

• Have the original label affixed to it, which indicates what the health product is and what it contains.

Goods contaminated with soil

Soil is a major carrier of invasive species and plant and animal diseases. It is a high-risk pathway for foreign pests and for diseases that can harm Canadian’s economy, environment and natural resources. All goods found to be contaminated with soil are inadmissible and will be refused entry or ordered removed from Canada (e.g., Muddy hiking boots).

Firewood

As invasive insects and diseases can exist in firewood, firewood cannot be imported into Canada without a permit. Prohibited consumer products: The Canada Consumer Products Safety Act prohibits you from importing consumer products that could pose a danger to the public (for example, baby walkers or jequirity beans that are often found in art or beadwork).

Prohibited Products

• Baby Walkers

• Balloon Blowing Kits

• Infant Self-Feeding Devices

• Jequirity Beans

• Lawn Darts with Elongated Tips

• Relight Candles

• Yo-Yo Balls with long cords

Regulated Products

• Baby Gates

• Car Seats

• Cribs, Cradles, and Bassinets

• Hockey Helmets and Face Protectors

• Lighters

• Playpens

• Strollers

Cultural property

• Reprints of Canadian or British works copyrighted in Canada.

• Reproductions of Canadian postage stamps unless printed in publications in black and white only and with a defacing line drawn across each reproduction.

Firearms and weapons

When entering Canada, you must declare all weapons and firearms at the CBSA port of entry. If not, the goods may be seized and you could face prosecution. For example, replica or inert munitions, as well as other devices that simulate explosive devices or munitions, including replica or inert grenades or other simulated military munitions, whether or not such items are for display purposes.

Explosives, fireworks, and ammunition

You must have written authorization and permits to bring explosives, fireworks, and certain types of ammunition into Canada. There are personal exemptions for some explosive items.

Obscene material

You are prohibited from importing goods such as obscene material, hate propaganda, or child pornography into Canada.

Used or second-hand mattresses

You cannot import used or second-hand mattresses into Canada without a certificate that verifies the mattresses have been cleaned and fumigated in the country of export. A letter, or any other document that demonstrates that this requirement has been met, is acceptable if it is signed by a person qualified in cleaning and fumigating.

Other prohibited goods

• Counterfeit coins

  • false coin or false paper money that resembles or is apparently intended to resemble or pass for a current coin or current paper money,

  • forged banknote or forged blank banknote, whether complete or incomplete,

  • genuine coin or genuine paper money that is prepared or altered to resemble or pass for a current coin or current paper money of a higher denomination,

  • current coin from which the milling is removed by filing or cutting the edges and on which new milling is made to restore its appearance,

  • coin cased with gold, silver, or nickel, as the case may be, that is intended to resemble or pass for a current gold, silver, or nickel coin, and

  • coin or a piece of metal or mixed metals that is washed or colored by any means with a wash or material capable of producing the appearance of gold, silver, or nickel and that is intended to resemble or pass for a current gold, silver, or nickel coin;

  • Importations of coins suspected of being prohibited will be detained. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will notify the appropriate regional investigations division and provide a full report with a sample of the goods.

• Prison-made goods being sold or intended for sale by a person or firm.

 
 
 
 

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